Afiq happy taking a risk
THE Selangor Soccer Fan Club (SSFC) and Selangor Arrogant Club (SAC) have urged FA of Selangor (FAS) president Datuk Seri Azmin Ali to settle all outstanding issues with the executive committee (exco) over funding STRIKER Afiq Azmi hopes his decision to rejoin Selangor following an unsuccessful stint with Negri Sembilan last season will help him regain his scoring touches and also reignite his chances of playing for Malaysia.
The 27-year-old had things going well in 2015 where he netted 10 goals for Selangor and also earned three international caps before he made a surprise move to sign with Premier League side Negri.
Afiq has returned to a weakened Selangor side but he believes the team, also comprising eight members of last season’s President’s Cup squad, will turn the tables on fancied opponents and also achieve coach P. Maniam’s target of a top five finish in the Super League.
He also hopes Maniam will help him regain his former self next season.
“I want to repay the management for taking me back. Many are brushing off Selangor next season following the departure of top players.
“But I think we have a balanced squad with a good mix of seniors and youngsters. Young players will inject the energy and pace to trouble our opponents.
“Furthermore, Maniam’s appointment is timely as he is a very determined and confident coach. He can take us far,” said Afiq, who netted four times for Negri, in Shah Alam yesterday.
Centre-back Razman Roslan is excited over the appointment of the 48-year-old Maniam as the new coach.
“I worked with Maniam when he was the assistant coach here. His arrival has given us a sense of stability and I am confident he will bring something positive,” said Razman. solved had both parties met earlier.
“The fans who gathered outside the FAS office in Kelana Jaya yesterday (Tuesday) do not represent us. Our fan club has been having a good relationship with FAS since it was formed in 1988,” he said in Shah Alam yesterday.
Selangor are currently scouting for three more foreign players to join Indonesian Andik Vermansyah.
There is speculation that they are negotiating with Liberian Francis Doe, Brazilian Leandro Dos Santos and Nigerian Ugo Ukah, who all had stints with Selangor in the past.
Maniam said he is looking for a foreign defender, midfielder and forward.
“We have shortlisted several candidates and I can confirm that Dos Santos is on the list. Being the head coach of Selangor is my dream job and I will work hard to get things going,” said Maniam, who was Selangor’s assistant coach between 2009-15.
He also had stints as caretaker coach when K. Devan and Irfan Bakti resigned midway through the 2011 and 2013 seasons, respectively.
“There is no pressure and we are not targeting titles next season. Players like Razman, S. Veenod and Bunyamin Umar must lead the others in matches. I have decent players to work with,” Maniam added. By Ajitpal Singh