21-07-2025
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.'
