Kuala Lumpur City FC head coach Risto Vidakovic admitted his side endured a “very hard and very complicated” night despite ending their three-match winless run with a 4-2 victory over Imigresen FC in the Liga Super Malaysia 2025/26 on Saturday.
Speaking after the match, Vidakovic acknowledged the threats posed by Imigresen, particularly their pace on the flanks, and felt his team struggled to fully control proceedings, especially after the break.
“It was a very difficult game. We knew they have good attacking players and are very dangerous with fast players on the sides,” said Vidakovic. “In the first half, I think we controlled almost 60% of the game, but in the second half we started very nervous.”
KL City were rocked early in the second half when Imigresen turned the game around, a moment that Vidakovic admitted caught his side off guard.
“To be honest, I was a bit shocked and nervous. You don’t expect to go one goal down so early in the second half. I think we became a little overconfident, but after that we woke up, started playing again and found our rhythm,” he explained.
The Croatian tactician credited the influence of senior and high-quality individuals, particularly captain Paulo Josue, for steering KL City through the tense moments and ultimately sealing the win.
“Of course you need exceptional players. You can work on tactics, defence and offence, but individual quality can always make the difference,” said Vidakovic. “Paulo has imagination that is hard to find. I know what he can give to the team, and I really enjoy watching him train.
“At certain ages, you need to manage players carefully, but in decisive moments, his quality helps us win games.”
While pleased with the attacking response, Vidakovic admitted defensive lapses remain a concern, especially when the team is under pressure to chase results.
“When winning becomes mandatory, you take more risks, you attack more, and sometimes you forget to defend. That’s what happened. But it’s football – sometimes it’s just numbers,” he said.
Looking ahead, Vidakovic warned that the second half of the season will be even more demanding, with every opponent playing without fear.
“The second round is always harder. Teams with nothing to lose will fight and show they belong. When you are playing for something, the pressure is always higher,” he noted.
KL City now face a tough test away in Sabah on January 9, with limited preparation time due to travel and recovery demands.
“We only have a short time – about four days of training. Recovery is key, especially with ageing players, long travel and different pitches,” said Vidakovic. “But motivation is more powerful than the surface you play on.
“We know we are close to something special, to making history, and we will fight for it. No matter what happens, this team will keep fighting.”
