Pan Gon banking on Selangor’s growing belief ahead of Buriram showdown

KUALA LUMPUR: Selangor coach Kim Pan Gon believes his players have shown they can match defending champions Buriram United ahead of Wednesday’s Asean Club Championship (ACC) final second leg at Buriram Stadium in Thailand.

Although Selangor trail 1-0 following last week’s first-leg defeat at MBPJ Stadium, Pan Gon insisted that growing confidence could become the Red Giants’ biggest weapon.

The second-half display proved his side are capable of troubling one of Southeast Asia’s strongest clubs on their own ground.

“You can see our power after creating many chances. Against a top, top Asian team, still we created the most chances,” Pan Gon said.

“Our players got confidence, so we will be strong.”

The former national coach also stressed that Selangor must play with greater bravery in the final third if they are to overturn the deficit.

“Confidence is very important,” Pan Gon said.

“To be very brave, to attack.”

Selangor captain Faisal Halim shared a similar view, admitting the Red Giants were punished for avoidable mistakes but insisting the performance itself should give the team encouragement.

“We still have another 90 minutes and anything can happen,” Faisal said.

“We controlled the game, attacked and created chances, but we failed to put the ball into the net.

“If we want to come back in Thailand, we need to be sharper.”

Buriram, meanwhile, are hoping to avoid another tense final after last season’s dramatic ACC triumph over Cong An Hanoi

Midfielder Kenny Dougall said the Thai side are determined to finish the job comfortably at home after taking a slender advantage from the first leg.

“We’re looking forward to no drama, a straightforward victory at home,” Dougall said.

Buriram will also benefit from returning to familiar conditions at Buriram Stadium, where they remain one of the region’s most formidable home sides.

FIXTURES

Asean Club Championship final

Wednesday

Buriram United v Selangor

(Buriram Stadium, 8pm)

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المصدر: New Straits Times