Kedah’s new signings could be prized possessions for Nafuzi

PETALING JAYA: It looks like Kedah coach Nafuzi Zain has snapped up the players he needs to play the kind of possession football he wants in the Super League next season.

And if his vision comes to fruition on the field, the Canaries may even call his playing style ‘’Nafuzi-ball’’.

The ex-Terengganu gaffer believes he has got the ball rolling for Kedah with his acquisition of three foreign players - Serbian centreback Bojan Ciger, Brazilian striker Willian Lira and Argentinian midfielder Manuel Hidalgo.

Hidalgo’s signing may come as a shock to some as the 23-year-old was widely expected to stay with Pahang but he has opted for a new challenge.

Lira has the experience of having played in the Japanese League, especially for Ventforet Kofu, while Ciger has been a solid presence in the Uzbekistan Pro League.

All three players were scouted by Nafuzi himself, and have the quality of being very comfortable with the ball.

“These players fit the style that I want to play. The tactics and formations will be strongly influenced by the quality of the players,’’ said Nafuzi.

‘’The pre-season will give me a good idea of how well they can adapt to the current players in the team. I will also get to know what their characters are like. Technically, I believe they already have what it takes to play in the way that I want.’’