Big case for the defence
Ashmawi ready to be a Giant in Selangor’s backline
PETALING JAYA: From a bit-part player to a giant in the making, Selangor defender Ashmawi Yakin has received a major confidence boost after playing a significant role for the Red Giants at the tail end of the Super League season.
Since the league’s restart, the Serembanborn Ashmawi – who has made only minor contributions in his first two seasons with Selangor – has impressed with his reading of the game and ability to make timely interceptions and clearances.
The 26-year-old first played for Harimau Muda in 2012, and later got drafted into the main squad in 2015.
In 2016, he joined his boyhood club Negri Sembilan before signing for the Red Giants in 2018. Ashmawi now wants to play a leading role for Selangor next season and believes that under new coach Karsten Neitzel, the team have an added tonic to go far.
Ashmawi has also vowed to bring a new dimension to his game, and win his first title with the club since joining them.
He has gone through various phases with the team but believes that with new foreigners and experienced players in the mix, they look good for some silverware.
“In football, it’s normal to see players coming and going, but I’m thankful to stay on with Selangor for another season. It’s great to see the management placing the trust in you to continue donning the famed red and yellow jersey,” he said.
“Under a new coach, I’m sure there would be lots of changes brought by Karsten together with technical director Michael (Feichtenbeiner). I hope the team, under their tactics, will give their best in every game.
“I’m hopeful we can win a trophy next season and it’s time to give something back to the team.
“If not, we must fare better than last season.”
This season, he has shown his versatility as he operated as a centreback, rightback and most recently as a leftback.
In the Super League, Selangor endured a topsy-turvy season with inconsistent performances that eventually saw the team sacking coach B. Sathianathan.
Feichtenbeiner took over as the interim coach until the season ended, where they finished fifth.
The Klang Valley club have so far retained striker Ifedayo Olusegun, midfielders Safuwan Baharuddin and Abdul Halim Saari, defenders Ashmawi and Syahmi Safari, wingers Wan Zack Wan Haikal, Sean Selvaraj and Norhakim Hassan, goalkeepers Khairul Azhan Khalid and Tauffiq Ar Rasyid.
It is rumoured that Selangor are looking to sign Perak striker Shahrel Fikri Md Fauzi, former Pahang winger Nik Sharif Hassefy, and German centreback Tim Heubach for the new season.