Soar four-ward
Kedah’s quartet make impression in stint with Bluebirds
PETALING JAYA: Kedah’s four young talents are gaining invaluable experience from training with Cardiff City’s Under-23 side.
The players – Aminuddin Abu Bakar, Suhaimie Saad, Asri Mohamad and Fadzrul Danel Nizam – are in the capital of Wales for a month at the Bluebirds’ Academy for a stint incorporating matches, first-team fixtures and offfield experiences.
They are accompanied by Kedah Football Association (KFA) deputy president Anas Hafiz Mustaffa.
Aminuddin, Suhaimie and Asri are vital players for Kedah in their President’s Cup team while Fadzrul is one of the mainstays in Kedah’s Super League team.
The 21-year-old Fadzrul has been dominant in Kedah’s midfield this season, and has formed a telepathic partnership with club stalwart Baddrol Bakhtiar.
The four players have certainly caught the attention of Cardiff’s Under-23 coach Jarred Harvey.
“The coaches and I are impressed with the way the players have adapted to an unfamiliar environment, coping well with the speed and physicality of the British game,” said Harvey.
He said the Kedah players would surely expand their knowledge by training with the team for a month.
“This is a terrific opportunity for the young Malaysian players to learn more about our sports culture here. It’ll be a good learning curve which will help their approach to football back home.
“We’re delighted to be able to provide these opportunities to foreign players. This partnership with Kedah is very special for all involved.”
This is the second time Kedah have sent their players and officials to Cardiff.
In 2015, Kedah’s President’s Cup coach Victor Andrag and four players – Loqman Hakim, Akhyar Rashid, Osman Yusof and Shazuan Hazani – spent five weeks with the Bluebirds.
Cardiff executive director and chief executive officer Ken Choo said the club were thrilled with the partnership.
“Having initiated our partnership with KFA four years ago, we’re happy to have four of their young players with us again this year,” said Ken Choo.
“Tan Sri Vincent Tan (club owner) is committed to supporting the growth of football in Malaysia, Asia and around the globe.
“As part of his vision and our commitment to promoting diversity and equality in sport, we will continue to share our resources and skills with the broader world.
“Two of the young Kedah players who trained with us in 2015 went on to star in the President’s Cup later that year.
“I’m hopeful that the experiences that our class of 2019 gain during their time in Cardiff will allow them to flourish similarly and contribute to the development of the Malaysian game,” he added.