Elavarasan aims to revive Kelantan TRW in Super League
Elavarasan said that in the previous season, the team — then known as Kelantan Darul Naim FC (KDN FC) — had finished at the bottom of the league table, and this time he is targeting at least a top-eight finish.
'I accepted the offer to become the new head coach due to several factors. I've always seen Kelantan as a team with great history and once among the best. That is what drives me to restore its standing in this Super League season.
'I had discussions with clubs abroad before making this decision. In fact, I've been shuttling overseas over the past few years. This offer gave me a reason to finally settle down here,' he said.
He was speaking to reporters after conducting his first training session with his players at the Sultan Muhammad IV Stadium here today, which was also attended by Kelantan TRW Chief Executive Officer Datuk Mohd Irwan Rizal Mohd Ali.
Elavarasan further urged football fans not to place undue pressure on the newly-formed Kelantan TRW squad, stressing that the players truly need the continued support of their fans.
He said although Kelantan's performances over the past three or four years have been lacklustre, he is confident that things will improve steadily over time.
'We need to play first before we can truly assess our strengths and weaknesses. We're also expecting the arrival of foreign players next week.
'So far, we have 10 players including those with experience, as well as some under-23 players with strong potential. With the addition of new players and management, I hope we can bring the team to a much better level,' he said.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Star
6 hours ago
- The Star
Turtles defender Landis vows to fire up fans with solid show
PETALING JAYA: Terengganu's new Brazilian import Diego Landis (pic) is not just here to defend but he is here to inspire. The 28-year-old, who arrived in Malaysia just days ago, has settled down ahead of the Super League starting on Aug 8 after passing his medical and fitness tests in Kuala Lumpur. Though a defender by trade, Landis aims to bring excitement to the stands. 'I've met my teammates and coaches, and now I just want to get started,' said Landis, who stands tall at 1.93m. 'I know I'm here to defend but I want to give performances that truly energise the supporters. 'Terengganu are one of the biggest clubs in Malaysia, and I've heard how passionate the fans can be. I'm excited to play in front of them.' Under the guidance of coach Badrul Afzan Razali, Landis is expected to fortify a Terengganu defence that has undergone a major reshuffle following the departure of several key players, including Dutch centreback Matthew Steenvorden. Landis arrives with solid credentials, having played in Thailand's top-flight league with Nakhon Ratchasima. There, he earned praise for his calm composure, disciplined play, aerial dominance, and swift transitions in defence. His signing could not come at a better time for the Turtles, who are looking to bounce back after a shaky defensive showing last season. With his presence, Terengganu will be hoping to bring much-needed stability to their backline. The team finished fifth in the Super League, and qualified for the semi-finals of the FA Cup and Malaysia Cup last season. As the new season looms, all eyes will be on Landis to see if he can anchor the defence and become a key figure in Terengganu's quest for silverware.
New Straits Times
20 hours ago
- New Straits Times
JDT edge Al-Riyadh as Figueiredo finds the net
KUALA LUMPUR: Super League giants Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT) wrapped up their pre-season tour in Spain on a positive note after securing a 1-0 victory over Saudi club Al-Riyadh SC today (July 22). National team heritage player Joao Figueiredo netted the only goal of the match in the 10th minute, marking his first goal for the Southern Tigers since joining the team. The narrow win provides a sweet end for Xisco Munoz's squad after a challenging series of pre-season matches in Spain throughout July. JDT had earlier suffered two consecutive defeats, losing 1-0 to Qatari club Al-Rayyan SC and Valencia Mestalla, results that initially sparked concern among supporters. Earlier, the 11-time Super League champions had beaten Real Murcia Imperial 4-0 and edged Costa City 1-0. JDT also recorded two draws against Cardiff City (2-2) and Levante UD (0-0). The match against Al-Riyadh was JDT's final pre-season fixture before they return home to face their first match of the new season. The Southern Tigers will kick off their 2025-2026 season campaign with a Charity Shield clash against Selangor at the Sultan Ibrahim Stadium on Aug 8.
The Star
a day ago
- The Star
Negri gear up for a fightback season
PETALING JAYA: Negri Sembilan are on a full throttle mode in a bid to leave last season's struggles behind and stake a stronger claim in the upcoming Super League campaign. Head coach Nidzam Jamil hopes a revamped squad will be ready to face Johor Darul Ta'zim in their opening Super League game on Aug 12 at the Sultan Ibrahim Stadium at Iskandar Puteri. Powered by eight import players, they are hoping to turn things around after the Deer finished 12th out of 13 teams. Nidzam said their aggressive recruitment drive reflected a renewed ambition. 'Two more foreign players are arriving next week. I can't disclose names or positions yet, but they'll add much-needed depth and balance to the squad,' said Nidzam. Sources suggest they are likely to be a central defender and another midfielder – positions critical to strengthening the spine of the team. The club have retained some familiar faces from last season, including Japanese midfield maestro Takumi Sasaki, who is expected to pull the strings in the middle of the park, and versatile South Korean An Sang-su, who offers flexibility in both midfield and attack. On the new arrivals list, Bosnian winger Jovan Motika joins from Kuala Lumpur, while Ghanaian forward Joseph Esso makes the move from Dreams Dawu in Ghana. To further bolster the side, Negri have also brought in two players on loan - tough-tackling Ghanaian midfielder Alex Agyarkwa from Selangor, and nimble Japanese winger Mio Tsuneyasu from Gainare Tottori. The club's impressive domestic recruitment includes striker Luqman Hakim Shamsuddin, goalkeeper Azri Ghani, centreback Ahmad Khuzaimi Piee, fullback Ariff Ar-Rasyid, winger Hakimi Abdullah, and young midfielder Haiqal Haqeemi. Negri are currently in the thick of pre-season preparations, with a series of friendlies designed to build rhythm and refine tactics. 'These friendlies are vital, not just for fitness, but for building understanding within the squad,' said Nidzam. 'We want to sharpen our tactics and improve the team's dynamism, especially in defence and attack.' 'Facing JDT first is a huge challenge, and we need to be at our absolute best from day one. 'Momentum is everything.'
