Head coach Negeri Sembilan FC Nidzam Jamil urged his players to take valuable lessons from a painful late concession as his side narrowly lost 1–0 to Selangor FC in the first leg of the Piala Malaysia quarter-finals.
Speaking at the post-match press conference at STAR Paroi on 8 February, following the Malaysia Cup 2025–26 Quarter-final First Leg, Nidzam acknowledged his disappointment at conceding in stoppage time but stressed that the tie remains very much alive heading into the second leg.
“If we can’t win, we must at least avoid conceding at the last minute. This has happened here before, and it’s a difficult lesson to accept,” he said. “Football isn’t only about tactics; it’s about small details and game management. We have to learn how to kill the game.”
Positives to Build On
Despite the defeat, the head coach highlighted encouraging signs, particularly in the second half, where Negeri Sembilan showed improved intensity and control.
“There were many good things, especially in the second half. We must look at the full 90 minutes. The next 90 minutes is our chance to redeem what we lost tonight.”
Nidzam dismissed any suggestion of bad luck or external factors, instead pointing to experience and composure as the key difference in decisive moments. He noted that Selangor’s players, many of whom have competed at continental level, demonstrated strong winning mentality in managing the closing stages.
Penalty Decision and Key Learning Moments
On the decisive penalty, Nidzam was clear in his assessment.
“I agree—it was a penalty. I reviewed it again and it was clearly a foul. But what concerns me more is the situation before that moment. We could have avoided it.”
He added that these late-game situations require smarter decision-making, stressing the importance of compactness and risk management in the final minutes.
“In the last minute, you must close the match. Don’t take unnecessary risks in front of your own centre-backs. Sometimes a safe pass and keeping the score at 0–0 is the better option.”
Looking Ahead With Confidence
With the second leg still to come, Nidzam was adamant that Negeri Sembilan will travel with belief and ambition, not merely to make up the numbers.
“This is a cup game. We still have 90 minutes to fight. If we think the tie is over, then we are not athletes who fight for something big. This club must fight for big things.”
He also touched on squad management, hinting that injury status and player readiness will determine selections, while maintaining optimism about the team’s attacking potential.
“We need to play good football—and score more goals. One-nil doesn’t mean the door is closed. These players fight for results, and that’s why I believe the opportunity is still there.”
Nidzam concluded by reaffirming the club’s ambition to reach the semi-finals, promising that Negeri Sembilan will approach the return leg with the same hunger and determination as their opponents.
“We are not going there just happy to be in the last eight. We have our own story to tell—and we will fight for the next 90 minutes.”
