Paulo Josue, Kuala Lumpur City’s skipper since 2020, has a special message for all the City Boys’ fans back home and especially for those who made the journey to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), Vietnam for the AFC Cup ASEAN Zone semi-final encounter against Vietnam’s Viettel FC tonight at the Thong Nhat Stadium.
“For our fans, we (the club) need to be thankful for all their support. That’s why football also exists (for the fans). We say to them, we come here, and we’ll not give up at any time to get this qualification; there will be a very tough fight from our side. We hope to make our supporters, our country Malaysia and our loved ones have pride in us.”
“Last year, we made a nice season. This season, there were many expectations of us. So far we are okay, not that good to what we could be but we are doing well, in the league we are (currently) Top 4. We are in the AFC (ASEAN) Zonal Semi-final, I think we’re doing well and hopefully we can go through to this final”, he added.
The Voice of The City Boys also took the opportunity to obtain the Brazilian’s thoughts of the Red & White’s final preparations heading into their most important fixture of the season thus far.
“We have been in Vietnam for the last four days, so we are training and preparing for the match; everything is running well, with much information (on the opponent) and (we’re) practising to face Viettel.”
The City Boys’ creative spark was sorely missed for the first time this season during the recent Super League draws against Petaling Jaya City and Selangor, but his impact and presence immediately lifted the team when headcoach Bojan introduced him as a substitute midway through the second half in the 2-1 come from behind win at home to Kedah.
He ended the text conversation by sharing his thoughts of the City Boys’ chances today,
“I’m pretty positive with the boys. We know we can do much better from the last game. (vs Johor DT). I think we can keep writing our story with the team, and we are working very hard to achieve this great goal. Of course, we as the team put ourselves in this position, so we must be very proud of it and take this opportunity to bring Malaysia football further.”
The AFC Cup ASEAN Zonal Semi-final between Viettel and Kuala Lumpur City is on Wednesday, August 10, 2022, at 6.00pm local time (1900hrs Malaysian timr), at the Thong Nhat Stadium, District 10, Saigon.
Tickets for the AFC Cup match against Viettel is available at the venue (physical purchase only).
For our City Boys back home in Malaysia, please tune in to Astro Arena 2, to catch the match live.