Philippines' midfielder completes Kedah import quota

JITRA, Dec 14  -- The Kedah Football Association (KFA) has signed up Filipino midfielder, Amin Adam Lazarte Nazari, to complete its five import players quota for the Malaysian League (M-League) and the 2020 Asian Champions League competition next season. 

KFA vice president, Anas Hafiz Mustaffa said the 26-year-old player from Sweden, who had a Philippines’ citizenship, filled the slot for the Asian import player for the Red eagle squad and was expected to lead the midfield.

Prior to this, he said Amin had played with the Philippines’ national squad and Ratchaburi Mitr Phol FC in Thailand.

‘’The coaching line-up and myself have taken a bit of time in making a careful decision to pick a general for the midfield to complete the final import player slot and hope he can guide the position excellently.

‘’Amin will arrive at the Sultan Abdul Halim Airport, Kepala Batas tomorrow evening at 2.30 pm,’’ he said when met at the Jitra State Assemblyman Cup Seven Aside Football Championship which was launched by Menteri Besar-cum-Jitra State Assemblyman-Datuk Seri Mukhriz Tun Mahathir here today.

Amin completed the five import players quota for Kedah which prior to this had two defenders Muhammad Shakir Hamzah and Renan Da Silva Alves and two strikers Kpah Sean Sherman and Kipre Tchetche Hermann Brice.

In the meantime, Anas Hafiz said the KFA management had also secured goalkeeper, Mohd Azri Abdul Ghani, 20, who had played with the Under-19 national football team and Felda United FC.

‘’KFA also has to forget its desire to get the service of striker, Muhammad Jafri Muhammad Firdaus Chew from PKNS FC after he was confirmed as unfit to comply with the main condition of the professional contract.

‘’The decision was not easy, but priority is given to a solid team preparation for next season’s assault. I hope Muhammad Jafri will recover quickly from his injury and can continue to shine in the Malaysian football arena,’’ he said. 

Meanwhile, Mukhriz, who is also KFA president said, the new players who were brought into the main squad next season were carefully made by the chief coach, Aidil Shahrin Sahak.

‘’We were number four in the Super League, FA Cup champions and Malaysia Cup runners up in the 2019 season and qualified for the AFC Cup. So, we must continue this excellence and how important is for us to make changes, and I feel, we already have a strong team,’’ he added.

-- BERNAMA