Sarawak head coach Robert Alberts is glad that his team still managed to win the game against Johor last night because a few mistakes by the player nearly cost them the match.

Sarawak edged Johor 3-2 in the match played at the Sarawak State Stadium, here, Friday night.

"Very tough game against a good team. I think we had enough chances to kill off the match, but after leading 2-0, the players started to slow down the game, played back passes in front of our own keeper which allow them (Johor) to score the goals.

"We gave opportunities to Johor, they were alert and read our game well. I was little bit surprised that game was played that way because no such instructions were given," he told reporters after the match.

Alberts said if the players want to control the game, they should put the ball higher up in the opponent's area, and not played back passes from midfield to the defence without sound reasons.