BY ZULHILMI ZAINAL Follow on Twitter
Barely three months into his first head coaching job at a professional team, Selangor boss Nazliazmi Nasir has guided his side into the FA Cup final, after the Red Giants defeated PKNS FC 5-1 on aggregate, in their semi-final tie.
On Saturday, July 7, the Red Giants will face Pahang at the Bukit Jalil National Stadium, and they will be looking to lift the trophy for the sixth time.
When met by Goal before conducting training on Thursday, the former youth coach revealed how personal his team's appearance in the final is.
"When I was first appointed as the head coach, I knew that it was an offer that I could not decline.
"Although a lot of people said that I was taking a huge risk, to me it was a gamble that I needed to take if I want to succeed as a young coach. The opportunity would not come knocking twice.
"Thankfully, the coaching staff provided assistance, the board offered their support, while my players showed their dedication. My men especially wanted to prove that they are on the team not because of luck nor other reasons; that they are here through thick and thin.
"Now we've reached the final, despite many not expecting us to make it all the way. We have to keep focussed, to ignore the sentiment that we are not the favourites. Once we are in the final, we deserve to be the favourites too!" he remarked.
However, his job is likely to get harder on Saturday. He told Goal that Brazilian centre back Willian Pacheco is only "50 per cent" fit for the encounter, after picking up an injury in the second leg semi-final clash last week. On Thursday, Pacheco was not seen joining the team training.
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