On-loan Mahali moves to PKNS permanently
PETALING JAYA: Fullback Mahali Jasuli wants to repay PKNS for signing him on as a full-time footballer.
The 29-year-old defender, who was on loan to the Klang Valleybased side from Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) last season, has been given a playing contract by Datuk K. Rajagopal.
Calling it a happy moment, the former Harimau Muda player vowed to help the team achieve their target of finishing in the top five of the Super League next season.
“The team have signed several young and experienced players for next season’s challenge. As one of the senior players, I will do my best for this club.
“The coach has told us to work towards getting a top-five finish in the league. The chemistry between the players is good and pre-season training has been good too.”
The Malaysian international played 26 games for the Red Ants last season and scored four goals.
Before joining the club on loan last season, Mahali played for Johor Darul Ta’zim from 2014 to 2017 and Selangor in 2013.
From 2007 to 2012, he was part of the Harimau Muda under the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) and played a starring role in the 2009 and 2011 SEA Games, when he helped Malaysia to win two consecutive gold medals.
He also won the AFF Suzuki Cup in 2010 under Rajagopal.
PKNS also announced the signings of centreback Muhammad Shahrom Abdul Kalam and midfielder R. Surendran.
Shahrom was one of the key players for Felcra who finished second in this year’s Premier League while Surendran played for Melaka in the Super League.
For the 2019 season, PKNS have so far signed Nicholas Ryan Swirad, Tommy Mawat Bada, Shafiq Shaharudin, Muhammad Ariff Farhan Md Isa, Mohamad Fandi Othman, and Mohd Farhan Abu Bakar.
From last season’s team, they have retained Colombian Romel Morales Ramirez, Muhammad Zarif Irfan Hashimuddin, Tauffiq Ar Rasyid Johar, Rodney Calvin Akwensivie, Mohamad Qayyum Marjoni Sabil, Nik Mohd Shahrul Azim bin Abdul Halim, P. Gunalan, K. Gurusamy, Mohd Faizat Mohamad Ghazli, Muhammad Alif Haikal Mohd Sabri and Muhammad Jafri Muhammad Firdaus Chew.
Most of the players retained are under 25, but Rajagopal said these players may be young but are very experienced.
“These players have what it takes to make an impact. They were interested in our project, and I believe they will want to do their best.”