KUALA LUMPUR – Selangor FC challenges the widely-held belief that spending big money on talent guarantees success on the field.
The club believes in the significance of strategic planning, player development, and team dynamics, as crucial factors that will determine success in its future championship aspirations.
Speaking to Scoop, CEO of Selangor FC, Johan Kamal Hamidon, firmly believes that the approach of “spending lavishly on players” is short-sighted, as the club values the underlying pillars of success.
“Simply buying star foreign players and assembling a team of talented individuals is not the right way to move forward.
“Selangor FC has experienced considerable success in recent seasons, despite not breaking the bank on player acquisitions.
“By investing in the club’s youth academy, infrastructure, and fostering a culture of teamwork, we have challenged traditional notions of success and become a formidable force in Malaysian football,” he said.
Johan highlighted how the club is on the right track with its current squad, aiming to achieve the domestic double, Malaysian Super League and Malaysia Cup in 2025, and the second-tier Asian club competition – the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Cup in 2027.
“It won’t be an easy task, but Selangor FC is in a good position compared to before.
“We are on the right track with our current young players who have matured a lot over the past three to four years.
“With the support of our head coach, Tan Cheng Hoe, and our coaching staff, we are more than capable of winning these championships within our targeted time frame.”
Johan also emphasised the role consistent performance and participation in the AFC Cup can play in attracting foreign players, while also solidifying the club’s position as an ambitious organisation.
“Financial strength plays a part; however, it cannot be the sole determinant of achieving championships.
“We want to be known as a club that consistently performs in the AFC Cup. It’s not just about participating but about using consistency to attract top foreign players.”
Meanwhile, the CEO commended the remarkable victory of Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari, in the recently concluded state elections.
Johan expressed his utmost admiration for the menteri besar’s leadership and eagerly awaits to collaborate with the state administration for the next five years,
“I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate menteri besar on his victory, and we at Selangor FC are excited to work again with his team in fulfilling the club and the state government’s vision of winning the targeted championships.”
Johan also applauded the state government’s role in fostering solidarity through football, as the sport has a unique way of bringing communities together.
“Our hearts beat as one whenever Selangor FC plays. Football is a major tool of unity in our state, and we are delighted to witness the support of the state government in elevating our organisation to cater to the social sports needs of the state,” he said.
Selangor FC strengthened their grip on the AFC Cup slot next season as they widened the gap with the second spot, after taming Negeri Sembilan FC 4-0 in the Super League last week.
The Red Giants have not played in Asian-level club competitions since their 2016 AFC Cup outing, in which they failed to go beyond the group stage. – August 22, 2023