Kelantan head coach Velizar Popov has demanded his players to be more professional during friendly matches in order to prepare for the second half of the Malaysia Super League (MSL) season and the upcoming Malaysia Cup, which will take place from next month onwards.
The Bulgarian was extremely unhappy with the attitude of his players during the the friendly between the Pamoga Qu Puteh The Red Warriors (PQPTRW) squad and MOF FC on Saturday.
“I understand that most of the players are fasting, but at the same time, the players are not serious at all. This is extremely unprofessional because the boys must respect the other team even though they are in a lower league,” Velizar Popov said as quoted by Sinar Harian.
“We should have scored five or six goals easily. The players take their training sessions seriously but they did not show any sign of professionalism during the friendly match.
Kelantan won the friendly match 2-1 after ex-Terengganu man Abdul Mamaf Mamat opened the scoring on the 31st minute before Syafiq Rahman added a second goal eleven minutes later. The visitors reduced the deficit through Helmi Hariri Ibrahim on the verge of half-time.
Velizar Popov wants his players to change their attitudes and mentalities because all teams will be facing a tight schedule as soon as the season resumes after the Hari Raya festival.
“We have 14 games in 45 days, so we need to be on the highest of level possible.”
Kelantan will face Terengganu in Gong Badak in the league on July 15.
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