Super-b comeback
City boys one win away from lifting Premier League trophy
PETALING JAYA: The good times are back for the City boys.
The Kuala Lumpur football team made headlines for the wrong reasons three years ago – financial constraints and bribery scandals.
Many did not expect the one-time powerhouse of Malaysian football to make a return to the Super League after five long seasons.
But return they have. And they are also just one win away from lifting their first trophy in 18 years.
The City side and Terengganu have finished as the top two sides in the 12-team Premier League this season. Both teams have unassailable leads, having picked up 47 points each with one more match to go.
KL lead the standings on goal difference.
Skipper Helmi Remeli wants his men to finish their campaign in style – by becoming Premier League champions.
The last game of the season is scheduled for Oct 27. For KL to be crowned champions, they must beat JDT II at the Pasir Gudang Stadium in Johor Baru. Terengganu will wrap up their campaign against Perak State Development Corporation (PKNP) at the Perak Stadium in Ipoh.
“It will not be complete if we do not win the (Premier League) trophy. We are back in the Super League after five years and it would be nice to return with a champion’s medal around our necks,” said Helmi, who is in his second season with KL.
The 32-year-old Helmi believes that KL are in good hands under Brazilian coach Fabio Magrao.
“We have no star players in the team.
“We are one big happy family. This is our secret to success. We enjoy our training sessions and there are no camps. Everyone shares the same dream: to help the team win promotion.
“My two-year contract ends this year.
“I’d like to stay on if offered an extension. The atmosphere is good and I have no problems here.
“We can go far with this team next season if all the players have the right attitude,” said Helmi, who last won the Premier League title with Kuala Muda Naza in 2008.
Among the notable hands in the KL team are former Terengganu striker Abdul Manaf Mamat and Kuala Lumpur SEA Games player Irfan Zakaria.
Brazilian hotshot Guilherme de Paula made a big impact with 24 goals this season.
The other foreign players include Paulo Josue (Brazil), Boburjon Akbarov (Uzbekistan) and Nicolas Dul (Argentine).
The KL team enjoyed their most successful years in the late 1980s, winning the league title twice (1986, 1988) and the Malaysia Cup three times (from 1987-1989).
They were still a dominant force in the 1990s, winning the FA Cup three times (1993, 1994 and 1999).