KUALA LUMPUR: Young striker Mohd Haqimi Azim Rosli believes Kuala Lumpur’s new coach Nenad Bacina is capable of continuing the legacy of former coach Bojan Hodak.
The 20-year-old said that Bacina possessed similarities in terms of tactics which Hodak had planned since the two had worked together before.
“Bacina and Hodak were working together for so long, so their tactics are similar and I hope the new coach can give the best to KL,” said Haqimi.
“We, as players, will give 100 % commitment both on and off the field.”
Bacina had previously been Hodak’s assistant coach, including with Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) in 2014, the national Under-19 men’s team in (2017-2019), Indonesian club PSM Makassar (2020) and KL (2021- 2022).
The Croatian has also managed two Singaporean clubs, Hougang United (2012) and Tampines Rovers (2013), apart from being appointed as director of the Al-Fayhla Academy in Saudi Arabia last year before returning to KL following Hodak’s resignation last month.
Hodak guided the City Boys to the 2021 Malaysia Cup title by defeating JDT 2-0 in the final, ending a 32-year title drought.
The 52-year-old Croatian also guided KL to the finals of the 2022 AFC Cup and the 2023 FA Cup.
In the Super League, KL finished sixth in the 2021 and 2022 seasons under Hodak.
Haqimi, who has made nine appearances with eight of them as a substitute in this year’s Super League campaign, is determined to give his best performance if he gets Bacina’s trust to be included in the starting line-up.
Haqimi is also confident that KL will be able to continue their good performance since Hodak’s exit when they meet Selangor in a Super League match at the Petaling Jaya City Council Stadium today. — Bernama
