DANIAL Amali’s solitary strike gave Kuala Lumpur a 1-0 win over Universiti Teknologi Mara in the opening Group C match of the President’s Cup played in heavy rain at the Universiti Malaya Arena on Friday.
The right-back drilled the ball in on a water-logged pitch in the 65th minute after UiTM failed to clear their lines from a corner in a match of few clear-cut chances.
With the ball often getting bogged down in puddles, neither side was able to string passes together with players mostly trying to desperately get the ball moving.
Kuala Lumpur coach Zolkipli Samion said it was more important to get three points given the conditions.
“We couldn’t show our true game because of the rain but I have to praise my players for giving it their all,” said Zolkipli, who made 94 appearances in three seasons for Kuala Lumpur and won the FA Cup in 1994.
“With water all over the field, it was more important to get the three points.”
Zolkipli has set winning the President’s Cup as a target after the Covid-19 pandemic forced the Under-21 competition’s cancellation the last two years when Kuala Lumpur had a strong enough side to challenge for the title.
“We have prepared well and I want to challenge the players by setting a high target,” said Zolkipli. “We have selected each player after careful consideration, including several who graduated from the Under-19 team.”
In two other Group C matches, Pahang downed Sabah 3-0 in Kota Kinabalu while Sarawak United overcame Kuching City 3-0 in a derby clash.