PETALING JAYA: Kalamullah Al-Hafiz (pic) was brought in to instil competition within the goalkeeping department but it took him a while before he got his first start with Selangor.
The Kelantanese moved to the Red Giants in September last year when he terminated his deal with Kedah due to salary arrears, but had to wait for a month to get his debut.
Since then, the 29-year-old has played six games, five in the Super League and one in the AFC Champions League Two, recording three clean sheets.
Kalamullah had to take on some top goalies in the form of Azim Al-Amin, Samuel Somerville and Khairulazhan Khalid, and also gain the attention of experienced goalkeeper coach Faozi Mukhlas.
Now he seems to be the main man behind the sticks, with coach Katsuhito Kinoshi playing him in the last four league matches.
Kalamullah said that before joining Selangor, he knew the levels of the team and needed to train on his own to ensure he was aligned with the tactical setup and expectations of Selangor.
“I did my personal training to ensure I was at my best when I joined Selangor. When I joined the team, there was a break, so I didn’t sit quietly at home; I worked on myself,” said the former Petaling Jaya City player.
“I wanted to ensure my movements were good, I could read the field better, and ensure I was a good teammate on the field. A lot of work behind the scenes happened to ensure I could align with Selangor’s gameplay.”
But it is never easy being a Selangor player, as expectations are high, and the fans were disappointed when the team were knocked out of the Malaysia Cup and the AFC Champions League Two.
They still have a chance of winning a trophy, especially in the Challenge Cup, and will hope to finish second in the league this season, securing a spot in the AFC Champions League Two for the second consecutive year.
Last year, they went all the way to the FA Cup final, only to be annihilated by Johor Darul Ta’zim 1-6 at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil in August.
Kalamullah said expectations are part and parcel of the game, and they only motivate him to do better.
“Pressure and challenges are part of the game. For me, they serve as motivation to play better and give our best for the team and our supporters. I believe that with focus and hard work, we can achieve a positive result.”
