Wan Zack hopes for better fortunes with Selangor

PETALING JAYA: It has not been the sweetest of stints for Wan Zack Haikal Wan Noor in the Selangor football team.

In 2019, he was out the whole season with an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury. And when he thought of making amends after returning to his usual form in 2020, the Covid-19 pandemic spoilt his plans.

And now, the 29-year-old midfielder, has promised – Covid-19 permitting – to make 2021 a really sweet one for Selangor.

Many thought he would be leaving as he did not play many games for the club but was offered an extension and is very much part of new coach Karsten Neitzel’s plans.

And now he wants to go all out to repay Selangor’s faith in him.

“I will go all out to make the club great because even when I was down, Selangor took care of my welfare especially in 2019 when I had a serious injury, ” said the former Kelantan and Felda United player.

“When an extension was offered, I did not think twice. What I could not do this year, I would do it next year.”

He had his first encounter with ACL injuries while playing for FC Ryukyu in the Japanese League in 2013 and it cut short his stint.

Wan Zack found his way back to form by playing for sides like Kelantan and Felda United but suffered his second ACL injury on his left knee during Selangor’s pre-season friendly against Singapore’s Home United on Jan 22 last year.

The injury forced him to miss the whole 2019 season. This season, he was on his way back but could not feature in the four Super League matches for Selangor due to some hamstring and groin injuries.

He was poised to play in the fifth game but then came the Covid-19 pandemic and the league was suspended from March 16.

When the league resumed in August, he played six games for them.

Now, he is hopeful of playing a more prominent role under Neitzel and is optimistic of providing the right impetus for the team in the new season.

“For that to happen, players have to give their best cooperation to the new coach. If that happens, we can achieve success next season, ” said Wan Zack.