Indran wants to hit the ground running for Turtles

Hoping for the best: Saarvindran, who joined Terengganu for the 2020 season, hopes to catch the eyes of the national team’s selectors.

PETALING JAYA: Former Harimau Muda winger D. Saarvindran is the latest player to join the Terengganu revolution under coach Nafuzi Zain.

Saarvindran, who joined Premier League outfit Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) II in 2017, made five appearances and scored two goals this season as the Southern Tigers went on to win the lower league.

However, the 27-year-old was not offered an extension for the 2020 season.

Saarvindran, who featured for another East Coast side Pahang from 2015-2016, said he had no problem fitting in with Terengganu.

“First of all, I need to thank the team management for giving me a chance to be a part of the project in Terengganu. I have trained with the players here and I can say that the team will be the dark horses of the M-League in the new season, ” said the Klang local.

“I wanted a new challenge and I want to play for the national team... to do that, I needed a team where I will be able to improve. I believe my abilities suit Terengganu and I’m confident of making an impact on the team.

“I am a fighter and work hard to get my place in the starting XI. It will not be easy seeing the players they have here, especially their younger players but I’m looking forward to the challenge, ” he said.

The Turtles have gone on a signing spree for the 2020 season, hiring Senegalese centreback Babacar Diallo, Singaporean winger Faris Ramli and striker Dominique Da Sylva from Mauritius.

They have retained Englishman Lee Tuck, who is the skipper, and Uzbek midfielder Sanjar Shaakhmedov.“I know there’s a lot of expectation on me. I’m much more mature now following my experience in the M-League since the Harimau Muda squad was disbanded in 2014, ” said Saarvindran.