Injury puts Azamuddin’s debut with Kedah on hold

PETALING JAYA: Veteran Azamuddin Akil has to play catch-up with his new teammates when in the Kedah team.

The nippy winger is currently recovering from a surgery on his tendon and will only join the Red Eagles at their base in Alor Setar in January. He is expected to make his debut for them in late February or early March.

The 33-year-old, who has won numeral titles with his former teams Pahang (2010-2015) and Johor Darul Ta’zim (2016-2017), failed to win any title last season with Selangor as he was plagued by several niggling injuries.

The Kuala Lipis-born player said he joined Kedah to revive his career and believed that his new team suited his ambition.

“I need to thank Kedah for giving me chance to play for them ... they signed me despite knowing that I’m still recovering from an injury. They are willing to wait for me to make a full recovery,” said Azamuddin, fondly called Alex by his teammates.

“Kedah are always a competitive team in the Super League and are also strong contenders for silverware every season. They have strengthened the team well for the next season and I’m looking forward to contributing to their campaign.

“I’m a bit peeved that I’ll be missing the team’s pre-season. I’ll have to catch up quick when I join the team but I’ve no choice but to focus on my recovery for now.”

Kedah, who finished sixth in the 12-team Super League last season are looking for a revival under new Singaporean coach Aidil Sharin Sahak.

Their new foreign signings are Brazilian Renan Alves, Spaniard Fernando Rodriguez, Iraqi Anmar Al-Mubaraki and Shakir Hamzah of Singapore.

They have also signed several local players including N. Thanabalan (from Negri Sembilan), Syahrul Azwari Ibrahim (Melaka) and Shahrul Igwan Samsudin (Selangor) to mount a stronger challenge in the new season.