KUALA LUMPUR – PDRM FC head coach P. Maniam has cautioned his players that their honeymoon period is over, despite their strong start in the Super League.
Maniam urged his team to buck up and remain focused as they aim for a top-five finish.
The Cops, making their seventh appearance in the Malaysian top flight, currently rank sixth in the table with one win, one draw and one defeat, with four points.
Their last game in the Super League saw them drawing against a much more experienced Penang FC side, secured through a 32nd-minute goal by Nigerian striker Ifedayo Olusegun.
Speaking to Scoop, Maniam, who took over as head coach from Datuk Yunus Alif, expressed delight with the club’s progress but stressed the importance of not becoming complacent or taking things for granted.
He further cautioned his players of the looming threat by stronger teams once they had regained form.
“We are currently heading in the right direction, and I’m impressed with our gameplay and our current standings, as everything looks balanced.
“But the season has just started, and we still have a long way to go. We should not take things for granted, as the other powerhouse clubs have yet to fully awaken.
“Once they do, we will be in deep trouble if we don’t improve ourselves. We must always ensure that we keep evolving and realise that our honeymoon period is over.
“I’m expecting more from my players, and I want them to be more serious and consistent in their performances. Once we fix this, I’m confident we can hit the target we have set,” said Maniam when contacted.
With nearly two decades of coaching experience, Maniam has a proven track record, having worked with various age levels of Selangor FC, including the under-19, under-21 and senior teams.
The 55-year-old has also coached Petaling Jaya City in the Super League until the club’s disbandment in 2022, and Harini FC in the M3 League.
He also has experience coaching the national under-16 team from 2019 to 2020.
Notable players developed under his guidance include Syahmi Safari (Johor Darul Ta’zim), V. Ruventhiran (Selangor FC), Darren Lok (Sabah FC) and Mahali Jasuli (Negri Sembilan FC).
Last season, PDRM finished eighth in the Super League with 37 points and narrowly missed out on qualifying for the group stage of the 2024/25 Asean Club Championship by just one point, trailing behind Kuala Lumpur City FC, who finished seventh with 38 points. – May 30, 2024