Finishing bottom with Police isn’t the pits for Geldiyev

PETALING JAYA: Turkmenistan international Serdar Geldiyev’s first stint playing overseas will be one to remember although there will be no accolades for him to boast about.

The midfielder-turned-defender played for the Police team who ended up last in the Super League with a minus-one point tally after being docked three points by the Football Association of Malaysia.

Geldiyev, 33, happily summed up his time with the team: “I would categorise my time with Police as something that had never happened to me in my career. At first, it was exciting as we were doing better than expected. Then came the Covid-19 pandemic and everything was left to hope.

“Then came the dreadful part. We were not ready for the restart and we crumbled because we were handicapped.

“We had to depend on six professional local players and two foreigners. The other is my compatriot Shohrat Soyunov.

“The team also did not have enough funds to sign an Asean player when other sides used the quota efficiently. I am not someone who would give excuses, but these are obvious facts. That’s why we got relegated.”

Police did not have a huge budget for the season and some players even took pay cuts to play on.

“I did not actually take a huge pay cut as I am still earning from back home under a special arrangement in my country through an agency. My agents provided Shohrat and myself an opportunity to play for a club outside our country. It has been a good experience for us.

“I have won 10 league titles in my country, won nine FA Cups and reached the AFC Cup final twice. Also, I had a long and satisfying career with the national team.”

Geldiyev is hoping to carry on playing football in Malaysia.

“I am still not done here as the season was short and full of uncertainties off the pitch. I have heard that a few teams are interested in me but I will leave that to my agency to work it out. As a professional, I have to be prepared.”