On a cold and wet Sunday evening in Kuantan, Kuala Lumpur City registered their seventh win in the league with a 2-0 win over Sri Pahang, avenging the home lost earlier in the season.
Goals in each half by youngster Hakimi and Zhafri allowed the City Boys to reclaim fifth spot in the standings which they momentarily lost to Kedah DA, extending the Red & White’s unbeaten run to six matches consisting of four wins and two draws,
Victory over the Elephants though was by no means a walk in the park as conditions on the Darulmakmur Stadium pitch made it challenging for the city slickers to impose their brand of football, but Bojan’s men adapted well and were clinical when opportunities presented itself.
Speaking to The Voice of The City Boys the day after the triumph, Declan, who moved to the heart of defence alongside Gallifuoco in the second half, commended his team for a performance that brought home three important points.
“i thought the team played extremely well yesterday. Considering all of the travelling we have done in the past week (to Kota Kinabalu, Kolkata, India and now Kuantan) and the quick turnaround between games, we should be very happy with the result”, he said.
Continuing, he added,
“The wet conditions made it a tough game and against an in-form Pahang (who have won 4 out of their last 6 matches, losing once), we had to be compact defensively and convert our chances when they came, which we did.”
The 23-year old, twin brother to Ryan, found the going tough in the Super League when after arriving from Den Bosch in February this year, but is now among the first names in headcoach Bojan’s starting line-up’s, regularly occupying the leftback position despite him being right footed.
Commenting on his display on the night, Declan who spent his formative years in Melbourne, Australia, said,
“Initially I found it difficult to adapt to the wet field but after I while I thought I settled in.”
On Bojan”s decision to move him into the centre back position, Declan explained it was not a problem for him to be deployed there, cementing his reputation as being adept to play across the defence.
“I have always been a utility player for teams I’ve played for, so when Bojan told me to play centre back for most of the second half, I was quite comfortable with that change.”
To read the match report of S Pahang vs KL City on 11/9/2022 (Super League), please click COMING SOON
To watch the highlights of S Pahang vs KL City on 11/9/2022 (Super League), please click https://youtu.be/FCo7DbgyCuQ
To watch the complete match of S Pahang vs KL City on 11/9/2022 (Super League), please click https://youtu.be/yb2MiLHXYSg