Reuben glad to be reunited with Rajagobal

THE lure of playing under K. Rajagobal proved irresistible to several players including former international K. Reuben after PKNS announced seven new signings this week.

Defender Reuben is reunited with Rajagobal after moving from Penang having trained under the former national coach from 2011 to 2013 when playing for Malaysia.

Reuben became the third former national team player in the PKNS squad, after Safee Sali and K. Gurusamy, to renew acquaintances with Rajagobal.

Since Rajagobal’s arrival last month, Super League club PKNS have gone on a signing spree by also bringing in striker Jafri Firdaus Chew, midfielders Faizat Ghazli and Nurridzuan Abu Hassan, defenders Qayyum Marjoni Sabil and Annas Rahman and goalkeepers Zarif Irfan Hishamuddin and Shahril Saari.

Reuben said that besides Rajagobal’s appointment as coach, the new player signings signalled the club’s ambitions for the future.

“What the club has got is a good mix of seniors and youngsters,” said Reuben, who was given his first international cap by Rajagobal in 2011, yesterday.

“PKNS did well towards the end of the last season and we want to carry on from where we left off. The new signings will work hard together with the existing players and hopefully we’ll be able to do well.”

Reuben, 27, returns to a Klang Valley-based club following spells with Police, Selangor and Armed Forces after a one-year stint with Penang ended with relegation from the Super League.

“I have realistic hopes for next season after Penang did not do well last season,” said Reuben, who also had offers from Felda United and Melaka. “I wanted to join a team that can perform consistently and not disappear.

“It’s also a great feeling to be working with coach (Rajagobal) again although it is under different circumstances.

“It won’t be the same as when I trained under him in the national team because at club level, you work everyday and not just for a short period. I hope to gain as much knowledge as I can from him.”

PKNS flirted with relegation last season before finishing seventh in the Super League after twice changing coaches. Devinder Singh