KOTA BARU: Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT) coach Hector Bidoglio believes Syafiq Ahmad has the quality to become a great striker.
Syafiq showed his ability when he scored a goal in JDT's 3-0 win over Kelantan in Saturday's semi-final first leg of the Malaysia Cup at Sultan Muhd IV Stadium in Kota Baru.
The 27-year-old netted in the 37th minute — his first goal in this year's Malaysia Cup.
Bergson da Silva (29th minute) and Leandro Velazquez (74th) netted the other goals.
"Syafiq is doing well in training. We had a system to play against Kelantan, so we decided to give Syafiq a chance. He took it and scored a goal," said Bidoglio after the match.
More than 20,000 Kelantan fans packed the Sultan Muhd IV Stadium on Saturday, but their presence could not inspire the Red Warriors.
Kelantan coach Rezal Zambery Yahya said his players were sloppy.
"I am upset because we conceded soft goals. We had to change our strategy after Fazrul Amir was taken off in the 19th minute, and that affected us," said Rezal.
Meanwhile, Sabah coach Ong Kim Swee is satisfied with the 1-0 away win over Kuching City at the State Stadium.
Baddrol Bakhtiar scored the winner in the 69th minute. The Rhinos will entertain Kuching City at Likas Stadium in the quarter-final, return leg on Friday.
"It is a good result, but it does not mean we are already in the semi-finals. We still have 90 minutes of football in the return leg," said Kim Swee.
Kuching City coach Irfan Bakti Abu Salim believes his team still has a shot at reaching the semi-finals.
"My players did well to trouble Sabah. We were just unlucky not to score some goals.
"We still have another 90 minutes, and we will have a chance if we avoid mistakes and score."
