PETALING JAYA: Striker Willian Lira (pic) has been on a hot streak with Kedah, and it came as a shock when the Canaries announced that they were parting ways with the Brazilian on a mutual agreement.
The 29-year-old, who joined Kedah from Japanese club Ventforet Kofu in January, has opted to move on due to personal reasons.
The club management said they wanted him to stay on but Lira was set on leaving.
“Kedah and Willian Lira have reached a mutual agreement to part ways after some discussions between both sides,” said the statement from the club.
“We have reluctantly agreed to release Lira but we respect his decision to take a different direction in the middle of the Super League season when his goal ratio had been quite good in every game.
“Although his appearances at the beginning of the season drew various unfavourable comments, this player from Brazil stepped up to prove his sharpness in scoring goals.”
In 14 Super League matches, Lira had scored eight goals and provided two assists, proving to be a real livewire for them.
Coach Nafuzi Zain admits that his absence will be felt.
“We had a hearty chat. He teared up when he made the farewell speech. He was happy here,” he said.
“This is part of football though. Players come and go. I cannot be fretting about it. We have to do better in the upcoming games.
“We have to make adjustments to our plans without him. We do have other strikers like Balo (Jonathan Balotelli) and (Ebenezer) Assifuah as options upfront.
The 33-year-old Balotelli has been used as a substitute in most games this season, only starting two games out of 14. He has so far scored four goals in the league.
As for Assifuah, 29, he has impressed in the MFL Cup, scoring 10 goals for Kedah II in the competition.
“Balotelli was a first eleven striker with other clubs. But in our team, we can only start five imports and one foreign substitute. That’s why he is the substitute.
“But now he will get the chance to show what he is capable of. Assifuah too has a chance. As for Lira’s replacement, we will look for someone during the second transfer window.”
