KUCHING: Kuching City FC head coach Aidil Sharin Sahak says his team gave their all in their 2-0 FA Cup semifinal loss to Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) on Sunday, underscoring the club’s growth and greater competitiveness in Malaysian football.
JDT sealed a 2-0 win in the second-leg at Sultan Ibrahim Stadium, completing a 4-1 aggregate triumph to reach the final.
Despite the loss, Aidil praised his players for their determination against Malaysia’s top club.
“JDT is always a stronger team. We are still a relatively new club, and reaching the semifinals is already a major achievement,” he said after the match.
“This is where we learn and grow. The boys gave their best and showed they can compete against a big team like JDT, not just in one leg, but over two,” he added.
The coach cited several challenges, including a limited foreign contingent and injuries, such as the loss of defender Rodney Celvin before JDT’s second goal. Aidil also commended Haziq Nadzli, who made key saves and demonstrated his national-level quality despite limited playtime.
He stressed the importance of squad depth, noting the team adapted well even without main striker Ronald Ngah Wanja.
Looking ahead, Aidil remains optimistic about Kuching City’s future.
“We only spent RM8 million compared to JDT. I’m not sure of the real figure, but some teams spend RM20–30 million and still lose to JDT.
“With hard work and perseverance, we will become more competitive,” he said, thanking the Sarawak community for their continued support.
