Latest news with #GiancarloGallifuoco
New Straits Times
3 days ago
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Gallifuoco expects tougher, longer season for KL City and M-League rivals
KUALA LUMPUR: KL City centre-back Giancarlo Gallifuoco knows exactly what's coming when the 2025-2026 M-League season kicks off today — and he's ready for the challenge. The 31-year-old Australian believes this campaign will be one of the most demanding yet, truly testing every team's depth and discipline. "Every season that I've been here, it's been tough, but this year I think the league is probably going to be one of the strongest," said Gallifuoco on Episode 62 of Timesport: On the Beat. "I think there are a lot of good teams, a lot of squads that have improved. The season is a bit longer this year as well, which is going to test clubs." The former Australia Under-23 international joined KL City in 2021 and has since made 114 appearances, scoring four goals and providing one assist. He was a vital part of the side that lifted the Malaysia Cup in 2021, finished runners-up in the 2022 AFC Cup, and narrowly missed out on the FA Cup in 2023. But after several seasons of competing for silverware, KL are now in transition following a string of high-profile exits and coaching changes. Still, Gallifuoco isn't shying away from the grind ahead. "I'm excited for it. I think we've got a good group of players. We're a bit of a new-look team, so we've been finding our feet through the pre-season," he said. "The new staff have done an excellent job getting the players to understand the style and how they want to play. That's been enjoyable to work with, and the players have bought into it." He stressed that rebuilding takes time, but he's hopeful KL City will find their rhythm quickly once the fixtures begin. "The expectation is always to go out there and give everything for the team. The players are committed to that. Now it's just about getting into a rhythm and being consistent." Gallifuoco also believes KL City's strength this season may lie not in individual star power, but in the collective identity the squad is building. "We've got a good balance, and it's about how we go out there and impose ourselves. Some other teams have superstars, but that doesn't always mean success. Sometimes it's about who is the best 'team', and that's something we can lean into." With the revamped season expected to feature a tighter schedule and stiffer competition, Gallifuoco knows adaptability will be key, especially for a club trying to regain its footing. "We're not at the top of the food chain in terms of budget, so we have to do things the right way. I think we're laying the foundations for a good season." KL City will open their Super League campaign on Saturday (Aug 9) against newly promoted Immigration FC.
The Star
4 days ago
- Sport
- The Star
Football: Family man Gallifuoco savours fifth season with ‘Keluarga KL'
PETALING JAYA: Giancarlo Gallifuoco arrived in Kuala Lumpur with little fanfare and few expectations five years ago. Today, the towering Italian-Australian centreback is not just a senior figure at Kuala Lumpur but one of the Malaysian Super League's most respected voices - on and off the pitch. As he enters his fifth season with the City Boys, Gallifuoco reflects on the journey with gratitude, humility, and unshakable love for a city, club, and culture that embraced him fully. 'I'm incredibly grateful to be reaching this milestone,' he said. 'As a footballer, you're always trying to find a home where you play your best football and feel valued. Kuala Lumpur has been that place for me.' In his time at Kuala Lumpur, Gallifuoco has played in three finals - winning the Malaysia Cup in 2021 and finishing runners-up in the 2022 AFC Cup and 2023 FA Cup - and helped shape a team known as much for their grit as their growing silverware ambitions. Yet, for him, it is not just about what happens on the pitch. 'My favourite compliment is when people say we're known for our camaraderie, our culture, our never-say-never attitude,' said the 31-year-old, who once played for top European sides like Torino and Tottenham Hotspur. 'That's what we're about. We call ourselves Keluarga KL City – a family. 'That bond is what defines us.' Now with high-profile arrivals like Safawi Rasid, Syamer Kutty Abba, Manuel Hidalgo, and Kpah Sherman, expectations have never been higher. A new coach, Risto Vidakovic, is at the helm, bringing renewed ambition to Kuala Lumpur's campaign. 'There's definitely more expectations this year,' Gallifuoco admits. 'But expectations can be the thief of joy if you don't use it correctly. First and foremost, we're competing with the KL City of last year. We want to do better than sixth. That's our first hurdle. 'We've got real quality players now – players who can devastate teams. But our foundation will always be the culture in the dressing room – helping each other get better, winning together, celebrating each other's success.' With such a deep connection to the club and the country, it's no surprise that the topic of naturalisation has become a serious conversation surrounding Gallifuoco. 'To even have people talk about me playing for the national team – that's the most flattering thing. It's an honour. I've been called the 'adopted one', and I wear that with pride.' Born in Sydney to Italian parents, Gallifuoco says Malaysia feels more like home than anywhere else he's lived in adulthood. 'I come from a culture where football and food are everything and Malaysia reflects that. Malays, Chinese, Indians – all here for a better life, all proud of their roots, and all united through food and football. 'From eating with my hands at Indian restaurants to grabbing ikat tepi drinks on the way to the stadium – I love it. It's become part of me. 'This is the longest place I've lived as an adult. More than Sydney or London. I'm way more a city boy now than I am a Sydney boy.' But Gallifuoco's love for Malaysia goes beyond lifestyle. He is deeply passionate about the growth of the Malaysian League and he is not afraid to say what he thinks it needs. 'The Malaysian League has everything – culture, history, community. I love that people can go to the restaurant, watch a game, and talk about when their dad watched Selangor or Pahang back in the day. It's beautiful.' Still, he believes the league can reach greater heights – if clubs and fans work together. 'People say, 'Johor will win anyway.' But that's not the point. Even in leagues where one team dominate, fans still show up. Why? Because there's pride in supporting your club. 'Look at Sabah, Terengganu, Selangor, and us – we're all close in quality and fighting for the top spots. That's exciting. But the atmosphere needs to match the potential. The Indonesian League doesn't always have better teams but their fans create a show and that brings value.' 'If more clubs built stronger connections with fans, the energy in stadiums would skyrocket. That, in turn, brings better players, bigger moments, and more belief in the league.'
The Star
5 days ago
- Sport
- The Star
Family man Gallifuoco savours fifth season with 'Keluarga KL'
PETALING JAYA: Giancarlo Gallifuoco arrived in Kuala Lumpur with little fanfare and few expectations five years ago. Today, the towering Italian-Australian centreback is not just a senior figure at Kuala Lumpur but one of the Malaysian Super League's most respected voices - on and off the pitch. As he enters his fifth season with the City Boys, Gallifuoco reflects on the journey with gratitude, humility, and unshakable love for a city, club, and culture that embraced him fully. "I'm incredibly grateful to be reaching this milestone," he said. "As a footballer, you're always trying to find a home where you play your best football and feel valued. Kuala Lumpur has been that place for me." In his time at Kuala Lumpur, Gallifuoco has played in three finals - winning the Malaysia Cup in 2021 and finishing runners-up in the 2022 AFC Cup and 2023 FA Cup - and helped shape a team known as much for their grit as their growing silverware ambitions. Yet, for him, it is not just about what happens on the pitch. "My favourite compliment is when people say we're known for our camaraderie, our culture, our never-say-never attitude," said the 31-year-old, who once played for top European sides like Torino and Tottenham Hotspur. "That's what we're about. We call ourselves Keluarga KL City - a family. "That bond is what defines us.' Now with high-profile arrivals like Safawi Rasid, Syamer Kutty Abba, Manuel Hidalgo, and Kpah Sherman, expectations have never been higher. A new coach, Risto Vidakovic, is at the helm, bringing renewed ambition to Kuala Lumpur's campaign. "There's definitely more expectations this year," Gallifuoco admits. "But expectations can be the thief of joy if you don't use it correctly. First and foremost, we're competing with the KL City of last year. We want to do better than sixth. That's our first hurdle. "We've got real quality players now - players who can devastate teams. But our foundation will always be the culture in the dressing room - helping each other get better, winning together, celebrating each other's success." With such a deep connection to the club and the country, it's no surprise that the topic of naturalisation has become a serious conversation surrounding Gallifuoco. "To even have people talk about me playing for the national team - that's the most flattering thing. It's an honour. I've been called the 'adopted one,' and I wear that with pride." Born in Sydney to Italian parents, Gallifuoco says Malaysia feels more like home than anywhere else he's lived in adulthood. "I come from a culture where football and food are everything and Malaysia reflects that. Malays, Chinese, Indians - all here for a better life, all proud of their roots, and all united through food and football. "From eating with my hands at Indian restaurants to grabbing ikat tepi on the way to the stadium - I love it. It's become part of me. "This is the longest place I've lived as an adult. More than Sydney or London. I'm way more a city boy now than I am a Sydney boy." But Gallifuoco's love for Malaysia goes beyond lifestyle. He is deeply passionate about the growth of the Malaysian League and he is not afraid to say what he thinks it needs. "The Malaysian League has everything - culture, history, community. I love that people can go to the restaurant, watch a game, and talk about when their dad watched Selangor or Pahang back in the day. It's beautiful." Still, he believes the league can reach greater heights - if clubs and fans work together. "People say, 'Johor will win anyway.' But that's not the point. Even in leagues where one team dominate, fans still show up. Why? Because there's pride in supporting your club. "Look at Sabah, Terengganu, Selangor, and us - we're all close in quality and fighting for the top spots. That's exciting. But the atmosphere needs to match the potential. The Indonesian League doesn't always have better teams but their fans create a show and that brings value." "If more clubs built stronger connections with fans, the energy in stadiums would skyrocket. That, in turn, brings better players, bigger moments, and more belief in the league."
New Straits Times
05-05-2025
- Sport
- New Straits Times
'Malaysia is my future': Gallifuoco opens heart on Harimau Malaya
KUALA LUMPUR: Giancarlo Gallifuoco's love for Malaysia isn't born of convenience. It's a bond forged through genuine connection and deep gratitude. The 31-year-old centre-back from Sydney has firmly rooted himself in Malaysian football since joining KL City from Melbourne Victory in 2021. Now, as he begins the naturalisation process to represent Harimau Malaya, Gallifuoco insists this is more than just a career move — it's a personal mission. "Since I was 15, Kuala Lumpur has been the place I've lived the longest. This has become my second home. I feel ridiculously grateful for this country and this city," said Gallifuoco. He got his first taste of national pride in 2022 when KL City reached the AFC Cup final, a feat that won over fans across the country. "I'd walk the streets and hear people say, 'What a game against Viettel.' Even fans from Terengganu, Selangor and JDT told me that. I felt what it must be like to represent Malaysia, and I loved it." Off the pitch, Gallifuoco is well and truly settled. His daughter Zoa was born in Malaysia in 2022, another child is on the way, and his family has plans to retire here. "My daughter speaks with a cute little Malaysian accent. My family wants to move here permanently. We're in this for the long haul," he said. During a recent league break, Gallifuoco only spent four of eight weeks back in Australia — another sign of where his heart lies. "If there's any doubt about how much I love Malaysia, that says it all. Malaysia is my home. Malaysia is my future," he declared. On the field, Gallifuoco has been a rock at the back for KL City, clocking up 114 appearances, four goals and one assist. He helped the team lift the Malaysia Cup in 2021 and finish runners-up in the 2022 AFC Cup and 2023 FA Cup. As for his ambitions with the national team, the Australian-born defender isn't making grand promises — just one pledge. "I won't say I'll keep 50 clean sheets or that I'm the greatest defender. But I'll give 100 per cent in every session and every minute. "I want to make this country and my family proud." With his naturalisation process underway, Gallifuoco could soon become a vital figure in Harimau Malaya's backline, bringing leadership, tactical nous and a passion that runs far deeper than most.
