Saiful, hot-headed no more
SAIFUL Nizam Miswan arrived at Kuala Lumpur with a reputation for being hot-headed but the defender insist he will not be a liability to his new team.
Over the past five years, Saiful has been red carded four times for Pahang including in the 2014 Malaysia Cup final which his team won on penalties against Johor Darul Ta’zim.
Saiful said his reputation for losing his cool is undeserved, claiming he was provoked into punching Amri Yahyah in the Malaysia Cup final and for kicking at an Istiklol player in a 2015 AFC Cup match. He was sent off in each incident.
“I know some people say I am hot headed but that is not true,” said Saiful after joining city side KL for training.
“I was provoked in the Malaysia Cup final and there are exceptional circumstances for the other incidents.”
Saiful, 36, said his determination to win trophies sometimes got the better of him.
“When you are fighting to win titles sometimes you get over excited. But I have always been a cool guy,” said the centre-back nicknamed “Poyeng”.
After serving Pahang for seven years, Saiful hopes to help KL consolidate their position in the Super League after earning promotion by winning the 2017 Premier League title.
“When a team is promoted from the Premier League, they can find it difficult to compete in the Super League,” said Saiful.
“The difference between the two leagues is big and I hope to use my experience to help KL survive.
“Some teams go straight back down but I believe with the signings KL have made, the team will be able to remain in the Super League.”
Saiful joins attacker Indra Putra Mahayuddin, winger Zaquan Adha Radzak and right-back Firdaus Faudzi in lending experience to KL, who have also brought in former Selangor and Sarawak midfielder Junior Aparecido.
“KL have brought in a few experienced players and it shows how serious the management is about the new season.
“My target is for the team to finish in the top-five in the Super League and try to win one of the cup competitions.”
KL have also signed former Young Tigers striker Syafwan Syahlan, who began his career at the city team, as well as promoting Under-21 players Khatul Anuar
Jalil, Amirul Ikmal Hafiz and Afiq Ahmad.