Kuala Lumpur – Imigresen FC head coach Yusri Che Lah admitted discipline issues and a lack of depth, especially in defence, proved costly after his side went down 2-4 to Kuala Lumpur City FC in the Liga Super Malaysia 2025/26.
Despite showing promise and even taking the lead at one stage, Yusri felt the turning point came after his team were reduced to 10 men, which led to a rapid collapse.
“First of all, praise be to Allah. Even though we lost, there are many areas we need to improve,” said Yusri after the match. “I was quite surprised with the performance of some players in the second half. There was a lack of discipline, and after the red card, our performance became shaky.
“We conceded three goals in about 10 minutes. That is something we must urgently fix.”
The Imigresen coach stressed that his side were already stretched thin before kickoff, revealing that squad limitations played a major role in their struggles.
“We only brought 19 players, and not all of them were 100 per cent fit,” he explained. “We also lost our centre-back and had to play Pedro Santos out of position. But this is not an excuse for the defeat – it’s the reality we are facing.”
Yusri believes the upcoming transfer window could offer a lifeline as Imigresen look to strengthen their squad and remain competitive.
“Registration opens tomorrow, and I hope there is some light for this squad to bring in new players,” he said. “At this moment, we really lack players. We want to put pressure on other teams, but to do that, we need to improve our squad, especially at the back.”
While acknowledging defensive frailties, Yusri remains confident in his attacking unit’s ability to deliver goals.
“In terms of scoring, I believe we are quite good. But from a defensive point of view, it’s still not satisfying,” he admitted. “In training, things may look fine, but in real match situations, anything can happen, and sometimes you just can’t stop it.”
Yusri also highlighted that his squad is largely made up of local, second-tier players rather than established stars, but praised their consistency and commitment.
“They may not be big names, but they are performing at a consistent level. That is a positive, and this team deserves to continue together,” he said.
Looking ahead, the former national defender made it clear that any changes to the squad must be done wisely, particularly in reinforcing the defensive line.
“Not every change guarantees success. We have to consider the dressing room, training environment and overall development,” Yusri added. “I still believe in our attack, but I am worried about our defence. Today, I only had one recognised centre-back. If there are suspensions or injuries, we must have proper players for those positions.”
Credit Photo : IFC
