Football

City Boys vow to make life hard for Borneo

KUALA LUMPUR: Towering defender Giancarlo Gallifuoco has vowed to make the KLFA Stadium a difficult place for Indonesia's Borneo FC in their ASEAN Club Championship (ACC) Group B match tomorrow.

However, the Indonesian Liga 1 champions are unbeaten this season after six matches, and their confidence is high following the 3-0 win over Lion City Sailors in their ACC opener last month.

Borneo will be banking on their hotshots, Brazilian Leo Gaucho and Argentine Mariano Peralta.

Gallifuoco, who is a key player for the City Boys in the past three years, conceded that KL City will be the underdogs against Borneo despite playing at home.

The Australian centreback, who draws experience from beating Indonesian side PSM Makassar 5-2 en route to their historic 2022 AFC Cup runners-up finish, said they will be well prepared for the match.

"I did some work on their attackers, we break down their attacks (in the analysis). They did well in their league last year and are now in good form with their attackers scoring goals," said Gallifuoco.

"I'm not playing any mind games, but we are the underdogs. It will be a big test for us. We are at home but the odds make them the favourites.

"I think Borneo are stronger than Makassar. This is the team which came first last year and is coming strong this year.

Their attackers have scored six goals in the last 10 games.

"It makes me smile that we are known for that (fighting spirit in cup competitions). We take step by step, minute by minute, not even game by game. We'll do what we do, which is to fight till the last minute and make this place a difficult place."

Meanwhile Borneo's Burundian defender Cristophe Nduwarugira said they are looking at collecting three points against KL City.

Nduwarugira said he and his teammates will focus on their own performance rather than worrying about KL City players.

"In our first match, we secured three points. We'll work hard to get another three against this team (KL City)."

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