KUALA LUMPUR: Coach Tan Cheng Hoe believes his Red Giants are starting to make their presence felt — as heavyweights in the Malaysia Cup.
Such was his optimism after Selangor overpowered Negri Sembilan 2-0 in the Malaysia Cup first leg quarter-final at the MBPJ Stadium on Sunday.
Cheng Hoe feels that Selangor are well on their way to playing the type of punchy football that they want.
Against Negri, Herlison Caion converted a penalty in the 52nd minute for Selangor before Aliff Haiqal Lokman Hakim Lau doubled their score in the 90th minute.
The win extended Selangor's unbeaten run under Cheng Hoe to seven games since the former national coach was appointed on Sept 24 to helm the Red Giants.
But Negri had to play with 10 men for 37 minutes after French defender Herold Goulon was sent off in the 52nd minute.
Cheng Hoe said he was satisfied with his team's improvement but pointed out that they were still not sharp in front of goal.
"I am happy with the commitment of the players. I want to see them reach the level of football that we want to play, but it will take some time.
"The players have to believe in themselves, that they will score from the chances created."
Coach K. Devan, whose Negri team face an uphill task in the second leg on Saturday at the Tuanku Abdul Rahman Stadium, said: "I admit that Selangor were better.
"We were defensive, couldn't control the game and were unable to hold possession."
Meanwhile, KL City coach Bojan Hodak, whose Malaysia Cup champions lost 1-0 to Terenggnanu at the KLFA Stadium, showed his unhappiness over the refereeing.
"I cannot talk about the referee, and if you want to talk about the weather and everything else is okay. But we were much better, we should have won," he said.
And the City Boys had their chances to turn the match around after Terengganu goalkeeper Suhaimi Husin was red carded in the 63rd minute.
However, Hodak's men failed to capitalise.