Selangor new midfielder Faiz set to rule the pitch

PETALING JAYA: Selangor midfielder Mohd Faiz Mohd Nasir is one of the smallest players in the Malaysian Super League and might be mistaken for a primary school boy.

Don’t be fooled by his small size and boyish looks though, as when he is on the pitch, he certainly comes up with big performances.

The 26-year-old versatile midfielder has been ever-present in all of Selangor’s pre-season matches and has captivated the Red Giants fans with his displays.

Faiz, who is fondly known as Messi by his peers, weaves his way through tight spaces with a mixture of tremendous trickery and speed.

Not only that, he has shown great endurance and vision when playing in the middle of the park and is expected to be one of the key providers for the Selangor strikers.

A media-shy person, Faiz will surely be one of the players to watch in the upcoming Malaysian Super League.

The 1.52m player was signed from Terengganu at the end of the 2018 season.

His eye-catching displays for Terengganu led to many thinking that he would earn a national call-up, but due to his role as a supersub, he found it hard to get into coach Tan Cheng Hoe’s side.

With an eye for a national call-up and regular game time, Faiz, who is from Pasir Mas, Kelantan, decided to join Selangor, now led by B. Sathianathan.

“Regular game time would help my progress as a player, and like any professional, I want to don the national jersey. I hope to replicate my performances in Terengganu here,” he said.

Joined by his good friend Abdul Latiff Suhaimi, they look to continue their blossoming friendship by helping Selangor do well in the Super League and win at least a trophy this year.

Sathianathan certainly had good words for Faiz as he expects the former Felcra and Kelantan player to play a prominent role this season.

“He has played in most of the pre-season matches,” said Sathianathan. “He came in fit and sharp.

“For a small guy like him, he is powerful, has lots of vision, ability, speed and endurance.

“He seems to be the complete player. He is gaining confidence, which is good for the team,” he added.

Last season Faiz played 30 matches for Terengganu but only started in 12 of them. He gained prominence in the Malaysia Cup when he scored a wonder goal in the final, only to lose via penalties against Perak.