Selangor FC Confident Ahead of Shopee Cup Matchday 3
CEBU CITY, Philippines - Selangor FC’s interim Head Coach Christophe Gamel and a key player addressed the media today in the pre-match press conference for their upcoming Shopee Cup™ 2025/26 fixture against Dynamic Herb Cebu FC, striking a tone of professional caution despite holding a commanding position at the top of Group A.
The Malaysian giants, who currently lead the six-team Group A standings with four points after two unbeaten matches (a draw against Buriram United FC and a win over Tampines Rovers FC), are set to face Dynamic Herb Cebu FC, a side eager for their first points in the tournament.
Coach Christophe, who recently took the reins, highlighted the significant challenge posed not by the opponents' current form, but by the physical toll of the previous match and the unfavorable playing surface.
"The biggest battle for us in this short turnaround is managing the players' recovery and preparation," stated the French coach. "We had a tough, physical match recently, and now we must adapt quickly to the synthetic pitch. This surface changes everything the bounce, the speed, and the stress on the muscles. We have had limited time to prepare for this."
Christophe's strategic approach underlines a focus on player welfare and pragmatic game management, rather than solely on the tactical superiority suggested by the group table.
Both Coach Christophe and the accompanying player were quick to dismiss any sense of overconfidence, emphasizing the danger a determined and physical Dynamic Herb Cebu FC side presents.
"The current standing does not reflect the potential difficulty of this match," the player commented. "They are a physically strong team, and on a synthetic pitch, the margins for error are much smaller. We must approach this game with the utmost professionalism and respect."
Coach Christophe echoed the sentiment, focusing the team's mindset on the performance. "We will not allow our top-of-the-table position to breed complacency. We must be professional from the first whistle to the last. Our goal is to execute our game plan, adapt to the pitch conditions, and earn the result through hard work, not expectation."
Selangor FC’s trip to the Rizal Memorial Stadium in Manila is poised to be a demanding test of their resilience and adaptability as they aim to consolidate their lead and take a definitive step toward the knockout stages of the prestigious ASEAN club competition.