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Daily Express
7 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Express
Away game to start season
Published on: Sunday, August 10, 2025 Published on: Sun, Aug 10, 2025 By: James Wong Text Size: Most of the players have been with the team for at least two years and so is the bond. Kota Kinabalu: Sabah FC's first game in the new Super League season scheduled on August 19 has now been postponed till August 29 due to the Sabah Masters Athletics Championship, which is being held at Likas Stadium this weekend. As a result, Sabah FC season opener will now be an away game against Kuala Lumpur FC on August 13. Advertisement A home game to kick- start the season is always the best tonic for any team to register their first win with the support of their fans. Anyway, playing away doesn't mean that you are going to lose, but it is always going to be a difficult game as the host will have the backing of their home crowd and the pressure will be high for the visiting team. However, I believe with a positive mindset and strong confidence, we should be able to perform well and get a good result. After all, Sabah FC are not a new team. Most of the players have been with the team for at least two years and more. The comradeship of the players is definitely there and so is the bonding. Advertisement The old guards Saddil Ramdani, Telmo Castanheira, Park Taesu and Ko Kwang-min are no longer in the picture. The new faces to replace them are striker Ajdin Mujagic from Bosnia Herzegovina , midfielder Dean Pelekanos from Australia and defender Dane Ingham from New Zealand as well as naturalised national player Fergus Tierney. It will be interesting to see how well these players have blended into the team. I guess the first game against Kuala Lumpur will give us the answer. Darren Lok now has a new partner upfront with Ajdin and Fergus, who is one of the players in the National Under-23 squad. He is young and hungry and have a bright future. I just hope the new look strike force will make an immediate impact on the team and get us the goals. Jafri Chew, who seldom started the games past few seasons, is an asset and may have more playing time to contribute this season. With the absence of Telmo, I am certain Stuart Wilkin will have to take the lead in the engine room and hopefully his partnership with the new imports will be able to perform well. Centreback Gabriel Peres who missed the last few matches towards the end of last season due to injuries is now back with the team. I am sure the coaches are relieved to see his presence as he not only helped the team in defence but also managed to score goals. Let's hope the team can bring home the three points. Good luck Sabah FC! * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
New Straits Times
14-07-2025
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Will RM1 million windfall lift City Boys?
KUALA LUMPUR: Kuala Lumpur FC will have few excuses if they don't do well in the Super League this season. Their fans will expect a better showing from the City Boys after a surprise RM1 million sponsorship from the government on Saturday. KLFA president Syed Yazid Syed Omar welcomed the surprise RM1 million grant. However, KL fans will now demand results and better long-term planning from the city team. On Saturday, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced a RM1 million allocation to help boost football in Kuala Lumpur, during KLFA's 50th Jubilee celebration. The announcement took the KLFA leadership by surprise. "I didn't expect it at all. We didn't ask, but the prime minister announced it in front of everyone. I am very thankful," said Syed Yazid. "We'll discuss how to use the funds during our exco meeting. What's important is that the money will help us manage KLFA better. "There are no salary arrears (involving the KL Super League team) and we've resolved old issues with former players and staff amicably," he said. However, the RM1 million injection has also led to many fans asking whether KLFA can justify such high-level backing. Football critic Datuk Dr Pekan Ramli urged KLFA to treat the RM1 million sponsorship as a responsibility, not a reward. "When the prime minister gives you RM1 million without being asked, it's not just a gift, it's a responsibility," said Pekan. "The fans are right to ask questions. KLFA has to prove we deserve this support. That means showing real progress, not just on the pitch, but in how we manage the team, invest in development, and rebuild trust in the structure."
New Straits Times
06-05-2025
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Do KL City regret letting Hodak go?
KUALA LUMPUR: Kuala Lumpur FC must be wishing they had hung on to Croatian coach Bojan Hodak. The man who won the Malaysia Cup for the City Boys in 2021 apart from taking them to several major finals, has proved to be a winner with Indonesian club Persib Bandung, whom he joined after leaving KL. The astute Hodak has just guided Persib Bandung to Liga 1 triumph. His team clinched the Liga 1 title without kicking a ball after rivals Persebaya Surabaya were held to a 3-3 draw by Persik Kediri yesterday. Persib currently top the Liga 1 standings with an unassailable 64 points from 31 matches, with three more games remaining. Hodak said he woke up to pleasant news. "Some of my players went to watch the Persebaya match, but I opted to sleep. When I woke up, I got the good news," said the burly Hodak, who also won the Liga 1 title last season with Persib. "I'm happy to win the title again this year. I hope we can defend the title next season and also do well in the AFC Champions League 2." But Hodak said there is a need to reinforce Persib with more players. "When your team is successful, the players will attract better offers from other clubs, so we need to be prepared." The 54-year-old Croat has established himself as one of the top coaches in the Asean region. He has tasted success in the M-League, guiding Kelantan to a historic treble of Super League, FA Cup and Malaysia Cup in 2012 and Johor Darul Ta'zim to their first Super League title in 2014. Hodak said the Liga 1 is one of the toughest competitions he has ever been involved in, and he expects it to be even more competitive next season, with rival clubs ready to challenge. "Next season, we aim to do better. I want to push harder in the ACL 2 — we beat this season's finalists Lions City Sailors at their home ground, so I believe we can improve further in the Asian competition."
