Real Saturn Head Coach Mr X refused to criticise his players despite a 1-3 defeat by Arab JPJ in their opening tour of Asia Friendly ahead of the start of the season 2017/18.
The Saturns put up a fight despite going down first at 0-1, drawing 1-1 before half-time, and eventually missing many chances and allowing 2 goals from the Arabs, ending the game with a disappointing 1-3 scoreline.
"It was a good workout for all our players after several fatty intakes of Raya special,", said Mr X.
"our players showed loads of characters, lots of commitments and sparks of fires. And we missed out several chances to put the game beyond the Arabs."
"We need to work with several players to improve their finishing, perhaps their holidays at Krabi were too good and they forgotten how to score!", joked Mr X.
Asked if BSLau was particularly awful in front of goal, Mr X refused to answer the question.
"He was the usual Lau and we need to give him guidance and help him through.", said Mr X, "And it is not just Lau but we also missing few key players for the game".
One journalist from DailySoccer pressed if Anip Kurikuva will be sold, Mr X denied the transfer speculation. "He is one hell of the important player with intelligent head and a pillar to RS. Let's not draw too much attention to Anip, in fact, many of the RS players too are important to RS team and not just Anip actually.". Despite the continual denial of the transfer, Anip was seen flirting with the revived NByN.
Last week Anip was quoted by saying "Minum kopi je" when spotted partying with NByN sporting director. The sporting director denied the tapping, fearing RS will log complain to FIFA of Asia.
Bright start of the Saturns when staging some counter-attacks in the first 20 minutes. Wong was sharp and deadly, but was twice denied by the Arabs GK with 2 close range headers.
Saturn was down to 0-1 after 30 minutes. Arabs' goal was scored by one lengthly frontman that resembled Adebayor. The Adebayor-alike jumped to head on a loose ball after RS stand-in keeper failed to secure a corner kick.
Saturn fought back 11 minutes later putting the scoreline to 1-1. Ah Che's corner kick curled to the far post with the towering TK heading to goal. Arab's GK failed to secure the bullet header and Wong equalised by a thunderous strike.
Minutes 50th Saturn' GK failed to grab a spinning cross and Arabs were in front for 1-2.
CS of Saturn squandered a chance to level the scoreline, after a superb run from the left wing by Mocha Hui.
A decent through-ball by the Arabs beat the offsite trap and put the scoreline to 1-3.
A refreshed Lau entered with the hope to inject fresh idea, but he missed out a clear-cut chance to score. "I think too much and should use "ka-jiam" (front toe)...", the usual Lau was seen kept complaining.
KC was seen limping off and at the injury is still unknown. "We do not yet know the extend of the injury and our medical staff will work with him for a speedy recovery.", Mr X replied to media's question towards KC's injury.
"We played a better game, in terms of creating chances but football is about taking chance and scoring. We missed several chances and we paid the price. Anyhow I am happy the way we play with passion and supporting each other. It is not easy since this is the first game after Raya break."
