The man to contain: Kuala Lumpur’s Safawi Rasid is fouled by a Kuching City player during their match on Tuesday. — Bernama
PETALING JAYA: Winger cum striker Safawi Rasid is enjoying a resurgence with Kuala Lumpur in the Super League.
The 28-year-old mercurial left-footer has already scored six goals and provided two assists in 11 league appearances, and he is just one strike shy of matching his entire league tally of last season with Terengganu.
Safawi’s current output has inevitably drawn comparisons to his golden spell at Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT), where he was among the most prolific players in the league.
Between 2018 and 2020, the Dungun-born attacker scored 44 goals in 82 appearances, playing a key role in JDT’s Super League titles in 2018, 2019 and 2020, as well as their Malaysia Cup triumph in 2019.
That period also saw Safawi crowned the Super League’s Most Valuable Player in both 2018 and 2019, honours that reflected his influence and consistency at the highest level.
If his current trajectory continues, Safawi’s revival may yet see him return to those heights, firmly re-establishing himself as one of the league’s most decisive attacking threats.
Safawi said he did not expect such a strong return so early in the season, especially after another period of adjustment following his move to KL.
“I honestly didn’t expect this kind of form this early,” he said. “Even last year, when I joined Terengganu on-loan, it was a new environment and a new team. It took time, but eventually I found my rhythm and did my best.
“Maintaining this level isn’t easy, but I’ll work harder.
‘‘The commitment will always be there to make sure this continues,” he added.
