Nazirul Naim
KOTA KINABALU: Former national team leftback Nazirul Naim Che Hassim has pledged his utmost best to help Sabah FC in the remainder of the Super League campaign.
Nazirul joined the Rhinos on loan from Perak FC during the second transfer window recently and he hoped to be able to bring a positive impact once the league resumes on July 24.
The 28-year-old footballer revealed he had spoken to several players including Azzizan Nordin and Amri Yahya prior to the move and he was glad to have made the decision to join Sabah FC.
“I’m happy to secure the loan move. Although it will only be until the end of the current season, I’m determined to give my best to the team,” he said when contacted here on Friday.
According to him, everything has been fine since he arrived here, where he underwent a 14-day quarantine before being allowed to join the full squad for the camp-based training.
“It has been good so far. I know many of them (players) and they are very friendly and helped me settle … I’m happy.
“The head coach (Kurniawan Dwi Yulianto) too is friendly and very understanding which made it easier for discussion,” he said and thankful to the management for the faith in bringing him here.
Nazirul added he was itching to get onto the field and play for his new team.
“I have set an individual target and hopefully I can make an impact with Sabah.
“The target is to help Sabah achieve the best possible finish in the league, hopefully in the top five.
“Apart from that, I want to help Sabah to at least reach the semi-finals of the Malaysia Cup…I will give my best,” said the father of two who hails from Kuala Kangsar, Perak.
Sabah will resume their league challenge away to PJ City FC at MBPJ Stadium on July 24.
Meanwhile, Nazirul is set to be a key addition to the Rhinos where apart from his vast experience having collected 20 caps with the national senior team, the left-footed player also has an eye for goal, especially from deadball situation.
And Sabah FC had a first hand experience on Nazirul’s quality when he scored Perak FC’s only goal with a precise freekick in a league meeting here in May. The Rhinos won the game 2-1.
Nazirul was part of the Bukit Jalil Sports School squad that won the President Cup title in 2010 and he never looked back as he went on to represent Harimau Muda B, Harimau Muda A and also briefly Japan Division Three side FC Ryukyu.
Nazirul then joined Perak in 2015 and helped his homestate team to a runner-up finish in the league and winning the Malaysia Cup title, both in 2018.