PETALING JAYA: The coaching staff are responsible for what happens on the pitch, not off it, says Kelantan assistant coach Rezal Zambery Yahya.

Losing 5-0 to Police in the Super League was a tough pill to swallow for Rezal, and although he said the coaching staff were responsible for the loss, it can’t be denied that external factors played a role too.

“To me, if the team lose, the coaching department are responsible. However, there are many factors involved as well.

“Just as when we win, there are other factors involved.

“But for me as a coach, I am the one taking responsibility for what’s happening on the pitch,” he said.

Kelantan have been facing salary issues for several months, and Rezal wants to make it clear that the coaching staff have nothing to do with managerial problems.

“I can only share with my players things that will happen on the pitch. When it comes to the management, I leave it to them to answer to the players,” said Rezal.

The Golden Deer have not had a good season so far, winning only two matches after 16 games, and are in 12th place with seven points, one more than bottom place Negri Sembilan.

“These results are worrying. Losing by five goals is too big. And it was against a 10-man Police squad.

“In the second half we tried to control the game through counterattacks, but their import plates in the defensive line were good and we could not get past them,” he said.

Rezal also said this is the second straight game that they have let in five goals, after losing 5-1 to Selangor in the Challenge Cup last Thursday. “We are not happy about that, but we have limited players and that is the situation we are in,” he said.

Kelantan will take on Selangor next in the Challenge Cup tomorrow, before their next Super League fixture against Kedah on Jan 10.