Super league: PJ City eyes top five finish

PETALING JAYA, Jan 16 (Bernama) --  The new boys in the Malaysian Super League, Petaling Jaya City FC (PJ City FC) is eyeing a top five finish in their top division debut. 

Its head coach, K. Devan said that was the target given by the club's new owner, QI Group, which took over the team, formerly known as the Malaysian Indian Football Association (MIFA). 

"As a coach, I am confident we can achieve the target because we have done well (in Premier League and Malaysia Cup) last season on a smaller budget. This season, with a higher budget, and the players we have, we can achieve it," he told a press conference after the launching of the team and jersey here, today. 

The team was set to kick off their campaign against Melaka United on Feb 2.

Devan was hopeful of a noteworthy performance and a win in the first match, as it would be crucial to give a positive start to the team and assure the players' confidence. 

Former two-term Kelana Jaya state assemblyman and QNET Malaysia director, Tan Sri Megat Najmuddin Megat Khas is the club's new president, while K. Rajendran would remain as the team manager. 

PJ City FC would continue to use the 25,000-capacity Petaling Jaya Municipal Council (MBPJ) Stadium as its home venue and the Islamic Science University of Malaysia (USIM) as its training ground. 

Meanwhile, QI Group executive chairman Datuk Seri Vijay Eswaran said the team would be the first Super League team to be owned by a corporate entity. 

"Sports, especially football have the great factor of uniting Malaysians from various background. We choose MIFA because they have a good track record and they have succeeded with low budgets prior to this.

"We are not planning to spend a lot on players because money cannot guarantee success. We will focus on grassroots development and create a unified Malaysian team to bring back the glory days of the national team like in the 70's," he said. 

Vijay was also hopeful that club would garner the support of the Malaysian Manchester City fans, as it shared a few traits with the English Premier League club. 

"QNET has a successful partnership with Manchester City since 2014. That is why we choose 'city' in our team’s name and even the colour of the jersey (light blue) is similar. QNET is also sponsoring the Malaysian Hockey Confederation," he added. 

Earlier during the jersey launch, former national football legends and the club's ambassadors, Datuk Shukor Salleh, Datuk Soh Chin Aun, Datuk Santokh Singh, Datuk N. Thanabalan and Datuk M. Karathu were presented with the club's jerseys. 

For the record, MIFA had a fairly tale run in the Malaysian League (M-League), when promoted to the first division and the Super League after Felcra FC folded due to financial reasons. 

Founded in 2004, MIFA participated in the M-League's third division, the FAM Cup in 2014 before emerging as the champions in 2016 to be promoted to the Premier League. 

After having a relegation battle in its maiden season, MIFA finished third, just two points below second placed Felcra FC last season. 

-- BERNAMA