Just a few changes will do for negri next season

PETALING JAYA: If ain’t broke, don’t fix it.

With that in mind, Negri Sembilan coach K. Devan does not intend to go for a major overhaul in the team for next season based on the commitment shown by his players this year.

His boys defied the odds by finishing fourth in the tough Super League and made it to the quarter-finals of the Malaysia Cup.

Devan, who is pleased with the players’ commitment, will only suggest a few changes to the team.

“It’s up to the management to plan for next season but for me, we need to prepare earlier and with this year’s experience, I think we can form a stronger team,” said the former Selangor and Petaling Jaya City coach.

“Other than that, most of the current players can be retained. We only plan to make some improvements, and there is no need to change 100%.

“We can hire new players to fill some positions and we need to find better import players after this.”

As for Devan’s future, he has accepted the club’s offer of a contract extension,.

It is learnt that key players and recent stars like centreback Ahmad Khuzaimi Piee and goalkeeper Ahmad Syihan Hazmi could leave the club for the new season but the Bahau brothers centreback R. Aroon Kumar and midfielder R. Barathkumar - are expected to return after a season with PJ City.

Veteran wingback Mahali Jasuli is also linked to the club, and they are also eyeing two more PJ City players – centreback Zainal Abidin Jamil and fullback Filemon Anyie Standly for next season.

Police goalkeeper Firdaus Irman Fadhil could also move to the club as Syihan’s replacement.