MISC-MIFA bank on coach Devan to turn fortunes around

PETALING JAYA: Malaysian Indian Football Association-Malaysian Indian Sports Council (MISC-MIFA) will be counting on seasoned coach K. Devan to turn their fortunes around when the Premier League resumes today.

The FAM Cup champions are a dismal 10th in the 12-team standings with only six points from 13 matches.

So, they will be hoping to get off on the right foot when they host Kuala Lumpur at the UiTM Stadium in Shah Alam.

MIFA president Datuk T. Mohan said they decided to revamp the team and have appointed Devan as technical director to oversee the team in the remaining half of the season.

Former coach Jacob Joseph has been re-designated to take charge of their junior development programmes.

“I believe Devan’s vast experience will be an asset to MIFA, who have earned promotion after three seasons in the FAM Cup. We have not set any high targets but we want to remain in the Premier League next year,” said Mohan.

The much-travelled Devan last tasted success in 2010, when he guided Selangor to the Super League title.

Since then, he has coached Felda United, Penang and Negri Sembilan.

Their new signings in the second transfer window are Brazilian striker Luiz Eduardo Purcino, who played for Thai side Police United, and Liberian Sean Kpah Sherman, who had stints clubs in Liberia, Sweden, Cyprus and Tanzania. The other new foreign player is South Korean defender Jaepil Shin, who played for Melaka last season.

The club have also recruited three players on loan – Fakhrul Zaman Wan Abdullah Zawawi, Muhd Shahrul Hakim Rahim (from Kelantan) and Ezad Ariff (from Negri Sembilan). The other signing is Darshen Ganesh Pillay of FAM Cup side Megah Murni.