Paroi: Despite the heartbreak of an FA Cup exit, Negeri Sembilan FC (NSFC) head coach Daniel Gimenez Alcaniz remains optimistic that the resilience and fighting spirit shown by his squad will serve as a strong foundation as they rebuild their momentum for the remainder of the season. Speaking at the post-match press conference, the Spanish tactician admitted that erasing a two-goal deficit only to fall short in the end was a bitter pill to swallow.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, NSFC were knocked out of the competition after suffering a 3-4 aggregate defeat to Kelantan City FC at the Tuanku Abdul Rahman Stadium in Paroi yesterday. Although securing a 3-2 victory in the second leg on home turf, it was insufficient to overturn the two-goal advantage Kelantan City FC had established from their 2-0 win in the first leg.

On fielding key players Mio Tsuneyasu and Luqman Hakim Shamsudin who were returning from injury, Gimenez defended his line-up, praising their dedication on the pitch. He expressed confidence in their spirit of winning and belief, despite not being fully fit for the match. Additionally, Gimenez took full accountability for the tactical instructions given, refusing to scapegoat goalkeeper Muhammad Azri Ab Ghani for a crucial error that led to an opposition goal.

Looking ahead, Gimenez acknowledged the monumental task awaiting his team in their upcoming clash against Super League heavyweights Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT). Meanwhile, Kelantan City FC head coach Alfredo Carlos Gonzales Machado praised his players' relentless determination and mentality after their aggregate victory over NSFC. Gonzales emphasized the importance of confidence and tactical adjustments made during the half-time break that contributed to their success.