KUALA LUMPUR: Coach Miroslav Kuljanac is facing an increasingly difficult decision as he battles to keep his KL City squad intact ahead of their crucial Malaysia Cup quarterfinal second-leg clash with Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT) on Dec 21.
City fought hard during their 2-1 defeat to JDT in the opening leg at KLFA Stadium in Cheras yesterday (Dec 13).
Brendan Gan's strike kept City's hopes alive heading into the second leg in Iskandar Puteri. JDT's goals were scored by Bergson Da Silva and Heberty Fernandes.
Kuljanac's thoughts, however, have now shifted to a pressing concern - whether he should pull his players from national team duty due to their mounting injury woes.
This is not helped by the absence of key players - captain Paulo Josue, Declan Lambert and Haqimi Azim Rosli - on international duty with Malaysia as well as Patrick Reichelt (Philippines) for the 2024-25 Asean Cup.
"We're facing a real problem with injuries and the absence of players who are on international duty," said Kuljanac.
"It's difficult but we'll keep fighting with the small squad we have. We are hoping that some players can recover in time for the second leg.
"But with the injuries mounting, I might have to reconsider the situation and think about whether to withdraw players from national duty to ensure they are fit for us."
Kuljanac said JDT were also missing key players but have strength-in-depth and were able to turn the game in their favour.
He, however, believes his younger players gained invaluable experience playing against such high-level opponents.
"This (first leg) match was a great learning experience for our younger players. It showed them how modern football is played at the highest level.
"We are aware of the gap between (in quality) us, but we are not backing down. We will continue to fight," said Kuljanac.