Malaysia Cup: Hardwork pays off Romel Morales and KL City  

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 16  -- The determined effort of Colombian import striker Romel Morales in reducing his weight by eight kilogrammes has paid off as he emerged as a valued player for Kuala Lumpur City FC (KL City) in the 2021 Malaysia Cup this season.

KL City chief coach Bojan Hodak said he himself did not expect such a significant change from the 24-year-old player who emerged as the top scorer with nine goals so far in the prestigious local football competition compared to only five goals in the Super League.

“Morales was originally a midfielder but he did not like to defend and so I placed at the frontline when we did not have anybody in the position. Since then, he was fielded as a striker and he himself made the effort to reduce his body weight by eight kilogrammes in January which made him even more dangerous.

“It cannot be denied that luck on was his side and each time he was given the space even from afar, he was ordered to shoot which signifies he is peaking as a striker,” he said in a Malaysia Football League (MFL) statement today.

The striker also netted an important goal for KL City in their 2-0 conquest of Selangor FC in the first leg of the 2021 Malaysia Cup quarter-finals at Petaling Jaya City Council Stadium on Sunday.

KL City will be hosting the second quarter-final at Kuala Lumpur Football Stadium in Cheras, on Thursday.

Meanwhile, Morales himself admitted his discipline in weight control and dieting makes him fitter to last the whole 90 minutes on the pitch.

“I feel much better with each match, I feel much happier too,” he said.

Morales added that his teammates were the backbone for his success in KL City and he hoped to assist his team to reap positive results in the remaining Malaysia Cup matches.

-- BERNAMA