KUCHING: Careful match analysis and mental strength proved decisive for KV Miri Landas Youth Team, as head coach Mohamad Hakimi Man highlighted preparation over possession.
The approach paid off for his players, clad in beige and blue tops with red shorts, as they clinched a 2-0 victory over MY Team X SMKAI, dressed in red and black, in the PETRONAS Youth Football Champions League 2025 U-16 final.
In the semi-finals, KV Miri Landas Youth Team secured their final spot with a 4-2 win over Sarikei FA U-16.
Hakimi said his coaching staff had closely analysed MY Team X SMKAI’s earlier matches and discovered that, despite their impressive results, many of their goals came from set pieces rather than open play.
“We studied how they scored their goals and found that most came from set pieces, not from movement in open play.
“For us, two corners could already create one goal, while they needed many corners without scoring,” he told Sarawak Tribune pitch-side on Saturday night (Jan 3) at Sarawak Stadium.
Understanding the opponent’s strengths, particularly their pace and physicality, allowed KV Miri Landas to remain patient and wait for moments when their opponents lost focus.
“We knew after 60 minutes there would be moments when they switched off, and that’s when we took our chances,” Hakimi explained.
The KV Miri Landas Youth Team coach stressed that dominating possession was never the priority, as long as his side stayed disciplined and efficient in front of goal.
“They can control the ball and create more chances, no problem. What matters is we scored. For me, the most important thing is the result,” he said.
Hakimi also credited experience and mental resilience as key factors, noting that exposure to competitive matches had helped his players cope with pressure in a high-stakes final.
“In youth football, it’s not only about strength or tactics, but also about mentality,” he added.
The veteran coach expressed pride in his players’ discipline and sportsmanship, saying they played with maturity and avoided unnecessary incidents despite the intensity of the match.
“That’s what we want to show the audience, especially since the final was broadcast live — the quality of our Under-16 players. If they continue to be developed properly, I believe they can go even further,” he said.
