2 months is a long time in football. And that’s how long it has been since our injury and Covid-19 ravaged squad, surrendered to final hour replacements, Negeri Sembilan, during the Federal Territories Minister’s Cup, pre-season friendly in conjunction with celebrations of the 2022 Federal Territory Day.
The 2-0 loss left a bitter taste in the mouths of the Sampai Mati Kuala Lumpur faithful on an otherwise joyous occasion which witnessed YB Dato’ Seri Dr. Shahidan Kassim, the sitting minister for Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya and Labuan, presenting a RM1.5 million incentive to the team for the successes in 2021, apart from celebrating the ‘re-crowning’ of the Malaysia Cup trophy on the City Boys followed by the lap of honour in appreciation for the continuous support of the Red & White fans.
Since that result, the southerners, last year’s Premier League champions, have gone from strength to strength in the Super League, remaining together with Johor DT as the only unbeaten sides in competition, and their credentials will be put up to the test once again this week when our City Boys came a calling at the Tuanku Abdul Rahman Stadium in Seremban on Sunday.
Bojan, the City Boys’ head coach insisted that the circumstances now is not the same for us, and the team is in a much better place than last February.
“This time it will be different. We have all the foreigners fit in the squad. Last time (against Negeri Sembilan in the FT Ministers Cup), we did not have Romel and Paulo available. We had a few players who were sick and just recovered from Covid-19. We did not have a full squad and we were not physically prepared. Even though we are playing away, Paulo and Romel are scoring. All the boys are in a good mood and we will try to use this as momentum for a good result on Sunday.”
We came off 3-2 losers to Kedah DA in our last away fixture, a long six weeks ago, and the Croatian played down any jitters in the team in hitting the road again for only the second time this season, after picking up all our points from the comfort of our home with two convincing wins against Melaka Utd and Sabah and a battling draw with Selangor.
“It does not matter really. We do not look (at the) past. The game against Kedah was a different situation. We did not have GG (Gallifuoco) and Romel. Like I said previously, we are much more physically prepared and optimistic going into this away game.”
On how does Romel’s presence change the dynamics of the team, the 2021 Coach of The Year in the National Football Awards spoke highly of last year’s Best Foreign Player.
“Romel last year was not only the best player but also the best foreign player. He played 90 minutes (for the first time this season, vs Sabah) but I told him after the match that he is not fit yet. I believe he will be better in the next match. With his return, of course, he helps the team. He can hold the ball and score goals. Now, Kevin (Koubemba) can play in his natural position on the flank. As you can see against Sabah, he was looking much better”.
The Super League Match Day 6 fixture between Negeri Sembilan and Kuala Lumpur City is on Sunday, April 24, 2022, at 10pm (2200hrs), at the Tuanku Abdul Rahman Stadium, Seremban, Negeri Sembilan.
Tickets for the Super League match against Negeri Sembilan is available at the following link, https://www.tickethotline.com.my/
For Season Ticket Holders (B2 City Boys), enjoy direct access for purchase through the Club without the hassle and limitations of the online system (Contact Shamim for details).