Selangor FC head coach Katsuhito Kinoshi insists the unusual 6:00 PM kick-off time will not be an issue for his team as they prepare to face Bangkok United in their opening AFC Champions League Two (ACL2) Group B fixture on Thursday.
The early evening start raised eyebrows among fans, who are more accustomed to seeing continental matches staged either later at night or in the late afternoon. However, the Japanese tactician downplayed concerns, stressing that both sides will need to adapt to the conditions.
“We usually train around 5:00 or 5:30 PM, and sometimes it’s very hot, sometimes it’s not so bad,” Kinoshi told reporters during Wednesday’s pre-match press conference.
“The weather will be the same for both teams. Whether it’s hot or cooler, we just need to focus on our game plan.”
Kinoshi also welcomed the AFC’s scheduling decision, noting that while an earlier afternoon kick-off would have posed greater challenges, 6:00 PM remains manageable.
“I’m not worried about playing at 6 PM. If it was 3 or 4 PM, that would be much harder, but at 6 PM it’s still acceptable,” he added.
The Group B opener carries significant weight, with Selangor seeking to make a strong start to their ACL2 campaign and Bangkok United equally determined to secure early momentum.
Selangor will look to capitalize on their home advantage and build confidence under Kinoshi’s leadership, while the Thai side arrive with ambitions of their own to top the group.
The clash kicks off on Thursday, 18 September, at 6:00 PM Malaysia time.
Credit Photo : SFC
