KUALA LUMPUR – Kuala Lumpur City FC believes that the addition of former national footballer Norshahrul Idlan Talaha as assistant coach for the under-23 team will elevate the team’s attacking standards in the upcoming 2024/2025 season.
Norshahrul, affectionately known as Mat-Yo by local football fans, played a pivotal role in Harimau Malaya’s historic 2010 AFF Suzuki Cup victory, scoring 14 goals in 83 appearances for Malaysia from 2007 to 2021.
The 37-year-old had a career spanning various clubs, including Perak FC, Kelantan FC, Johor Darul Ta’zim FC, Terengganu FC, Sri Pahang FC, and BG Pathum United in Thailand, where he accumulated a total of 305 club career goals.
Speaking to Scoop, KL City chief executive officer Stanley Bernard said that the club needs Mat-Yo’s expertise to transition the team’s style from defensive to offensive.
“Mat-Yo is probably among the best in the local football scene. When he became available, I had a clear chat with him and asked whether he was ready for coaching. He told me that he always wanted to be a coach.
“If we look at KL City, especially from 2021 to 2023, we have done really well. I think the next step for us is to develop a strong attacking base. We have been known as a very strong defensive team, but we are transitioning to get more expertise in attacking.
“We have attacking players like Suhaimi Abu and Sharvin Selvakumaran, and we have strong young potential. Looking at Mat-Yo’s career, when he was 21, he was already one of the best players in the country and at the state level.
“I think Mat-Yo can impart that knowledge, as he has been very consistent for 15 to 16 years and has the experience of winning tournaments. I believe Mat-Yo already has something to offer offensively.
“I have spoken to all the other coaches, and we have also agreed to use his expertise across all levels of the team,” said Stanley when contacted.
Stanley anticipates Mat-Yo’s impact on young strikers like Haqimi Azim, expecting an improvement in their goal-scoring abilities during this year’s Super League campaign.
“Coaches with very successful careers tend to have an impact on youngsters, and I’m sure Haqimi would have watched Mat-Yo play for the national team.
“That’s a big impact when someone who’s very inspiring is now your coach and your friend. That’s where we want to start with Mat-Yo, and obviously, if he does well, he can get into the whole structure and not just remain as an attacking expert.
“The KPI for Mat-Yo is the same as the club’s KPI. As an underage team coach, Mat-Yo has to promote the right players to the senior team. Results are a bonus, but nurturing players is the main objective of the football club, and that’s why we appoint coaches like him.
“It’s very similar to all the big clubs inEurope, as they also follow the same system,” Stanley added.
Haqimi, with 16 appearances for both the senior and under-23 national teams, has featured in 27 games for KL City, scoring two goals.
KL City FC maintained their mid-table grip in the Super League last season as they finished seventh with 38 points.
In 2021, the club, under the guidance of Bojan Hodak, made waves by lifting the Malaysia Cup, outperforming their limited budget to defeat powerhouse JDT in the final.
The Croatian’s cup-winning team featured experienced players such as Safee Sali, Shukor Adan, and Indra Putra Mahayuddin. – April 25, 2024