Going nowhere: Aidil Sharin (centre) interacting with his coaching staff during a friendly game. – Kuching City FC
PETALING JAYA: Forget the Singapore talk as successful football head coach Aidil Sharin is staying put with Kuching City for the new Super League.
This was the assurance given by club owner Datuk Fazzrudin Abdul Rahman amidst rumours that Aidil may be the next coach of the Singapore national football team.
Fazzrudin affirmed that Aidil is committed to the Sarawak-based side.
“Aidil was given full power to run the team. He is happy and committed to Kuching City. That is all I can say,” said Fazzrudin.
Under Aidil’s leadership, Kuching City have quietly built a competitive squad and are seen as a side capable to give others a run for their money.
The club have completed the bulk of their recruitment, with striker Ronald Ngah from Cameroon expected to join the team.
“We have completed 95% of the team selection,” said Fazzrudin.
“Ronald will join in a day or two together with a few of our Under-23 players as well. Then, it will be complete.
The Cats have so far signed strikers Gabriel Nistelrooy, Ahmad Danial Asri; goalkeeper Haziq Nadzli, winger Ramadhan Saifullah, Timor Leste winger Joao Pedro and Filipino centreback Scott Woods.
They have also retained key men like fullbacks Jimmy Raymond, Arif Fadzillah; midfielder Daniel Amier Norhisham, striker Ahmad Hazwan Bakri, Bahraini midfielder Moses Atede, Nigerian centreback James Okwuosa and Japanese defender Yuki Tanigawa.
Kuching City hope to remain in the top five standing in the league. They finished fourth in the last season.
“Our goal has always been to become the champions in the league – that’s still our mindset, but realistically, we have set a top-five finish,” said Fazzrudin.
Despite the off-field rumours, it’s clear that Kuching City are pressing ahead with clear intent, banking on Aidil’s leadership to turn bold ambition into tangible results.
