KUCHING: Hope FC player-manager Bryan Cheong praised his defenders for their recent form as the club climbed to fifth in the Liga Bandaraya Amateur standings with 18 points from nine matches.
Speaking after their latest 1–0 win versus Vfriend FC, Cheong said the team has shown it can compete with any opponent when firing on all cylinders, and credited recent tactical adjustments for the improvement in results.
“Yes, I think on our day we are able to compete with anyone, and the goal is to keep climbing up the table and to finish as high as possible,” he said.
When asked what made the difference this time around, Cheong highlighted the team’s changes in defensive organisation and the performances of key players at the back.
“We made certain adjustments to our tactics and the setup in defence as well. A huge credit to the backline in the last few games for performing well,” he added.
He singled out Alvin Sze Yi Min, Adrian Loh Thuan Jin, Jonathan Embas Patrick, and Muhammad Izzul Farish Zainudin for stepping up — which allowed the midfield and attack to play with more freedom.
Hope FC, known among fans as the Hopers, now sit fifth on the table with a balanced record and renewed momentum heading into the final stretch of the season.
With confidence growing and a more settled squad, the team is setting its sights on finishing as high as possible in what has been a competitive league campaign.
