KUALA LUMPUR: Selangor coach Nidzam Jamil believes their shoot-out training and the massive role played by team captain Safuwan Baharudin to be the reasons behind their run to the FA Cup semi-finals.
Selangor defeated Kuching City 5-3 on penalties at the MBPJ Stadium yesterday.
Despite having to play with nine men after Yohandry Orozco and Reziq Bani Hani were shown red, Selangor won the return match 3-2 to pull level on aggregate (4-4).
A total of four out of five of Selangor's penalties were taken by their youngsters.
Safuwan netted the opening goal for Selangor in the shoot-out, and Harith Haiqal Adam Afkar scored the winning penalty.
Nidzam said Safuwan's leadership was key and was akin to having an assistant coach on the pitch.
"Of course, we had trained for this, but Safwan was also exemplary. He took the first penalty to relieve the pressure on the younger ones."
"He calmed the players and organised them well. I just told them that it is always 50-50 in a shoot-out and that I would not penalise them if they missed.
"We had a list of penalty takers, however, in instances like this, I prefer if the players offer themselves to take them.
"We tore up the list when Safuwan wanted to lead the shoot-out."
Nidzam praised his players for their fighting spirit and resilience as the momentum shifted both ways during the match.
Meanwhile, Kuching City coach Aidil Sharin Sahak said he was proud of his players.
"Congratulations to Selangor. Our players gave their best," said Aidil Sharin.
"It was a positive performance from the team. We came here and we played well, we did not 'park the bus' despite having the lead."