| Fadhil Yunus |
DPMM FC head coach Steve Kean has highlighted that it was their game plan to let Home United FC exert control in the manner that they did during the 3-1 loss in the quarter-final second leg tie of the Singapore Cup at the Bishan Stadium in Singapore on Wednesday.
Kean’s game plan suited perfectly when Helmi Zambin struck in the 48th minute but the collapse occurred after the opposition grabbed the equalising goal.
“I thought for the 62 to 64 minutes even though Home United had the possession that was really our plan to let them come out to the halfway line and then trying get a press and steal a ball and play a little bit fast break attack. We managed to get the first goal from that,” said Kean in a post-match interview with the Singapore media.
“Then to be honest, it looked like we were going to get the second goal and then when they’ve scored against the run of play, our reaction is a bit of negative. We stopped getting tight because the system that we were operating today was to make sure we were man for man.”
“Once they went to 1-1, Plazibat started moving around and we let them a couple of metres far off us and then they started to have a little bit of rhythm and flow of the game and open us up.”
“Whereas up to the 64th minute, we were super tight and they found it very difficult and I think they were getting frustrated,” the head coach further added.
“I said to the boys that if something goes against you and they scored against the run of play, we can’t let that affect our jobs off the ball. We still have to stick to the task, pick up your man, get tight and stop them from getting a flow and upset their rhythm.”
Kean understands that they might be tired or feel that there are decisions going against them but it is that moment where they have to keep their concentration and focus which he indicated was a lesson for them.
The former Blackburn Rovers manager highlighted that their challenge is to field the best starting eleven in the pitch having suffered bad injuries this season especially with Rafael Ramazotti out of action for nearly three months and recently Daud Gazale.
The head coach felt that it was a horrific challenge that led to the Chilean injury in the first leg adding that they missed Azwan Ali to fever who he described as an asset for the team.
“If we can get our best eleven on the pitch, I certainly seen the signs that the defence is operating well even though we’re conceding goals tonight.”
“There was nothing in the match again. At 1-0, we looked the team that was going to go 2-0.”
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