Experienced signing: Dechi Marcel Nguessan (centre) trains with his new team. — Kuching City FC
PETALING JAYA: Kuching City are hopeful that three of their new foreign signings will be able to revitalise their Super League season.
Currently 12th in the league with six points, the Il Gattos (The Cats) have found players with great experience in South-East Asia to bolster their midfield and attack.
They have signed up seasoned Super League player Dechi Marcel Nguessan, who last played for Kedah.
The 31-year-old, who also played for Terengganu and T-Team in the past, is a defensive midfielder with a penchant for operating as a deep-lying playmaker during attacking transitions.
His signing is hailed as a masterstroke and many believe he will add stability to the team’s midfield.
In attack, they have signed Brazilian playmaker Bruno Dybal, 29, and former Timor Leste international striker Pedro Henrique, 31. Both players last played for Indonesian club Persikabo, which is now led by former Kedah coach Aidil Sharin.
Henrique has played in the Malaysia League before, featuring for sides like Petaling Jaya City, PKNS, and Pahang.
Coach Irfan Bakti said the trio have already joined them for training and will feature against Sabah at the Likas Stadium, Kota Kinabalu on July 8.
“Dechi has settled in well with the team because he has the experience of playing in the Super League over the last three years. Bruno and Pedro are slowly assimilating themselves with the team,” said Irfan.
“Bruno is new to the league while Pedro is building on his fitness after the Indonesian League concluded last month. I got these players because I feel they can sharpen our attacks.
“Except for our defeat against Johor Darul Ta’zim (0-4) and Selangor (0-5), our other defeats were just by a one-goal margin. That’s when I realised that we need to shore up the attack, hence these signings.”
He is hopeful that the team’s Filipino goalkeeper Julian Schwarzer will get a loan stint.
The other foreigners in the team are Brazilian centrebacks Celio Santos and Aylton Alemao; Serbian centreback Mihailo Jovanovic; Japanese midfielder Yuki Tanigawa; strikers Liberian Abu Kamara and Nigerian Michael Ijezie.
Irfan said Uzbekistani winger Sirojiddin Kuziev and Burundi striker Sudi Abdullah are leaving the club.
