KUALA LUMPUR: Kuala Lumpur centreback Giancarlo Gallifuoco (pic) was left heartbroken after his side’s 6-0 mauling by Kuching City at the Cheras Football Stadium on Wednesday.
But the 32-year-old Australian said he had never been prouder of his teammates for refusing to give up despite a season already in turmoil.
Reduced to just 10 fit players following an ongoing FIFA registration ban and injuries, Kuala Lumpur played the entire match without the option of a substitution, and watched in horror as Kuching’s Cameroonian striker Jerome Mpacko Etame scored four times (26th, 48th, 54th and 90th minutes) and Bosnian partner Ajden Mujagic (fourth and 59th) added two more.
“We got mauled out there today, and as someone who deeply loves this club, that was painful to experience,” said Gallifuoco.
“Despite that, we kept trying every single minute. We haven’t been paid in two months, yet we still show up to training. Then, there was the transfer ban – it was a lot. This has got to be one of my worst experiences as a footballer, but I am not going to point fingers.
“We’ll stick together as long as we can. Hopefully, in a couple of months and we’ll be in a much, much better position.”
With midfielder Zhafri Yahya and winger Mohd Fazrul Amir Md Zaman both injured, Kuala Lumpur needed special approval from the Malaysian Football League to field just 10 players, short of the 20-player matchday requirement.
Gallifuoco singled out several teammates who fought through pain and unfamiliar roles to get through the full 90 minutes.
“Kamal (Azizi Zabri), a rightback, played as a midfielder. He ran and ran and ran,” he said, also crediting Adam Nor Azlin, D. Kenny Pallraj and Paulo Josue for working full throttle without complaint.
“Yus (Azrif Nasrulhaq) hasn’t played on the right for two years, and Partiban (J. Partiban) was injured, yet he played to get the team going. For me, the only thing I can take from that is that everyone showed heart.
“That is the band of brothers I have. I’m proud of how brave they were regardless of the score.”
The result leaves Kuala Lumpur without a point from two games, having also forfeited their Aug 22 fixture against Negri Sembilan 3-0 after a postponement request was rejected – the club were fined RM50,000 for the episode.
But there was late relief and shortly after midnight, a check on FIFA’s registration ban list showed Kuala Lumpur had been cleared, opening the door for new signings to feature against Brunei at the Cheras Football Stadium tomorrow as the Klang Valley club hunt for their first points of the season.
Gallifuoco, who has lived in Malaysia for six years and has children born in the country, also addressed speculation over a possible national team call-up but said nothing has been said to him yet.
Earlier, in the Football Association of Malaysia’s competition management system (CMS), he was listed as a local, but against Kuching in the start list, he was listed as an Asian quota player, which means his naturalisation process has yet to be completed.
“When that CMS news went viral, my mother-in-law called and congratulated me, and I was surprised because I have received nothing from anyone about my passport or identification card.
“Representing the national team would be a dream come true for any footballer, and I am praying for that call.”
