Mohd Nafuzi Hopes KDA FC’s Woes Will Be Over soon After 0-5 Thrashing 

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 15 (Bernama) -- Kedah Darul Aman (KDA) FC head coach Mohd Nafuzi Zain hopes that the club’s management will promptly resolve internal issues to avoid the team becoming 'whipping boys' in the Super League.

Speaking at the post-match press conference after his young squad were thrashed 0-5 by Kuala Lumpur (KL) City FC last night, he said that if the issues are not addressed quickly, the situation will become more complicated.

In addition to the risk of the Canaries sinking further down the table, he did not rule out the possibility that more quality players would leave, following the departure of players like Habib Haroon and Fikri Che Soh.

"As the head coach, I certainly need the best players in every match to win. I understand the challenges and difficulties the players are facing because from the beginning, the situation has not been ideal, but they have stuck with us all this time.

"The players may be in a difficult situation, and in this case, I just hope that the issues can be resolved quickly to retain the players and register new ones," he said, adding that he accepts this challenge as an experience that will help him grow as the club faces these problems.

Despite the heavy defeat, Mohd Nafuzi noted that it was a valuable experience and exposure for the young players who stepped up to represent the Canaries.

Previously, the main squad of KDA FC was reported to have boycotted team training due to unpaid salaries for several months, resulting in Mohd Nafuzi fielding a majority of players aged under 20, many of whom had played in the 2024 Malaysia Games (SUKMA) in Sarawak last month.

In the match, goals by Jovan Motika in the 14th minute, Zhafri Yahya (26'), and captain Paulo Josue (49' & 59'), along with an own goal by Hazrie Balqief Zulhadi (23’), secured three points for the City Boys.

Although Josue's header was credited as an own goal after deflecting off Hazrie Balqief, denying him a hat-trick, the naturalised striker still made history as the club’s all-time top scorer with 68 goals, surpassing Singaporean Fandi Ahmad’s record of 67 goals.

Meanwhile, KL City head coach Miroslav Kuljanac was grateful to his players for continuing to attend training and play for the club, despite reportedly facing salary issues like their opponents. 

The Croatian said his main concern before the match was to keep his charges motivated after they already knew that the Canaries’ will be fielding youngsters. 

“It is true that their (main) players decided not to play, our's did. We are hoping we will resolve this issue as soon as possible…Again, I am very happy with my players, they’re still playing and believe everything will be okay.

“Yes, it was a good ‘training’ and preparation for the next game…Winning 5-0 is enough, no need to go hundred percent against these youngsters. Some coaches like to smash them, but they don’t deserve this, they also play for their club.

“I think result is OK, that’s how I see football, other coaches may push players give more, they play well, we play how we need, that’s all. Congratulations to them to play for their club, I appreciate it, I know they’re in a difficult situation,” he said.

-- BERNAMA