Armed with a foreign coach in the likes of Jaap Suyk, Kuala Lumpur look odds on favourites to defend the Razak Cup which gets underway tomorrow.
Though hit by last minute unavailability of some players who failed to secure release letters, Kuala Lumpur were given a boost with the decision of Mohd Rodhanizam Mat Radzi, the former international, who opted to play for the city side after securing a release from his homestate Kedah.
Though the team may not have the best of preparations, the combination of youth and experience could well serve them well as KL may end up playing six games in as many days should they qualify for the final scheduled for next Thursday.
Though hit by last minute unavailability of some players who failed to secure release letters, Kuala Lumpur were given a boost with the decision of Mohd Rodhanizam Mat Radzi, the former international, who opted to play for the city side after securing a release from his homestate Kedah.
Though the team may not have the best of preparations, the combination of youth and experience could well serve them well as KL may end up playing six games in as many days should they qualify for the final scheduled for next Thursday.
"I'm very excited I got this chance as it was unexpected opportunity but I feel very energetic and life is back with us. I'm thankful to KLHA especially Rajamanickam and George Koshy in particular for the opportunity," said Jaap.
"The team is strong with good experienced players combined with young talents and this is evident with the three national juniors fitting perfectly into the team. From what I have observed, the players are very dedicated and motivated and I intend to get the best out of them."
Jaap is fortunate that he has in his squad experienced players in the likes of M. Kaliswaran, Tajol Rosli Mohamad and Fairus Ramli, all three from Tenaga Nasional. And he can count on support from his assistant Lailin Abu Hassan to provide him inputs on the ability of the players in his squad.
KL open their defence of the title against the Project 2013 squad coached by former KL development coach K. Dharmaraj. And Jaap is well aware of the ability of the junior squad which surprised many with their third place finish in the National Under 23 Tournament in Malacca last month, ironically defeating the city side in the placing match.
"The preparation with the team was not perfect as some players joined the last minute but after all it has become a good team, I think.
"Tomorrow I expect a full match against a talented young squad, who we played last week and defeated them. But playing a test match if totally different than a competetive match. But our goal is the win the title again so the first match is an important one, everybody must be very focussed."
The KL Squad
Abdul Hakim Bin Adnan (GK), Mohd Rodzhanizam B Mat Radzi, Muhammad Yazid Bin Yusof, Meor Muhammad Ridhwan, Mohd Adam Mustafa, Mohd Sallehin Bin Abdul Ghani, Nurhrsikesa Bin Mohd Munir, Saraveaswaran Sreedharan, Mohd Nor Aqmar Bin Abd Ghaffar, Tajol Rosli Bin Mohamed, Harvinder Singh A/L Makbul Singh, Mohd Faizal Bin Mohd Daud, Nadesh Ramanathan, Mohd Fairuz Bin Ramli, Kaliswaran A/L Muniandy, Nadarajan A/L Marathumuthu (GK), Mohd Badrul Hisham Bin Osman, Mahinder Singh.
