New signings hope to boost Perak’s Super League position

PETALING JAYA: Struggling club Perak are set to parade their new signings as they face off against Kelantan United in the Super League at the Perak Stadium in Ipoh today.

The Seladang will have a new look backline with Filipino international Jesper Nyholm (pic) and South Korean youngster Kim Youn-do earmarked to play as centrebacks in their 4-3-3 formation.

But one can trust Youn-do to become a huge hit.

The 20-year-old Youn-do, who used to play for Daegu FC and German club Rotweiss Erfurt, is seen as an imposing defender, well built and tall too, standing at 1.89m.

In fact, many Perak fans have likened Youn-do to the popular South Korean centreback Kim Min-jae, who won the Italian League with Napoli last season.

Youn-do looks to be ready to make a name for himself.

“I’m happy to be part of this team, proud as well. I just want to help them if given the chance. I want to show my performance and build my name with this great club,” said Youn-do.

“I am looking forward to my first home game here this season. I have seen footage of previous games and the fans are pretty passionate. I love playing in such environments.

“I hope to have a good start and help Perak steady their defence.”

Nyholm and Youn-do were brought in as the team’s defence have been leaky this season.

In 15 games, they have conceded a whopping 34 goals, an average of 2.27 goals per game.

Youn-do’s arrival means Nigerian Sunday Afolabi will be moved to his usual position in midfield from centreback.

He will partner Argentinian playmaker Luciano Guaycochea and they too will have a new teammate with the signing of nippy midfielder Azalinullah Alias from Terengganu.

With these arrivals, coach Yusri Che Lah will be hoping to improve the club’s fortunes and close the gap with 10th-placed Penang, who are one rung higher with seven points.

Meanwhile, Kelantan United too have made several signings as they look to move away from their 13th spot in the Super League standings.

Upfront, they have signed Nigerian striker Ismaheel Akinade, 28, from Kelantan, and in midfield, Uzbekistan midfielder Sirojiddin Rakhmatullaev, 30, will be the defensive midfielder.

They have also snapped up two South Korean wingers Kim Min-kyu, 22, and defender Kim Deok, 21.

As for local signings, they have taken leftback Qayyum Marjoni on loan from Kuching City.

It is learnt that players who will be delisted from the squad to accommodate these new foreign signings are Brazilian strikers Gregory Rocha, Devid Silva and Kyrgyzstan winger Ernist Batyrkanov.

The other foreign players in the team are Filipino international winger O.J. Porteria, Senegalese midfielder Morgaro Gomis and Brazilian centreback Yan Victor.