* Amirizdwan to sign his contract in Kota Bahru today
* Amirizdwan becomes the third national player to leave Armed Forces
A Red Warrior is returning home and he is Kota Bahru-born international Amirizdwan Taj Tajuddin who is a “big boost and asset” as the East Coast side continues to plug the holes in the team.
Newly appointed chief coach Azraai Khor Abdullah said “things are falling nicely” for Kelantan who will head to Kuching to face Sarawak in a Super League match at the State Stadium on Saturday.
Amiridzwan signs his contract with Kelantan FA in Kota Bahru today – hours before the transfer window closes at midnight tonight – after getting a release from his previous team Armed Forces which is breaking up since head coach B. Satianathan was told to “take a rest”.
Sathia was rested after the 3-1 defeat to Selangor in Paroi on April 11.
“He (Amirizdwan) is a good buy. He is an asset to the team and we need a player like him who can play at the heart of defence and also doubled up as adefensive midfielder. He can help out in attack during corner kicks too,” said Azraai from Kota Bahru.
More importantly, Azraai believes that Amirizdwan and lanky Australian Jonathan McKain will form a good partnership as centrebacks for more stability in defence.
Amiridzwan, who stands at 1.90m, however, will not feature in Kelantan’s match against Sarawak as he has some personal matters to sort out before moving to Kota Bahru.
Since Satianathan’s “rest” the Gladiators have lost another international Christie Jayaseelan to Felda United.
National striker Norshahrul Idlan Talaha was the first to move from Armed Forces during the April transfer window when he asked for a reelease to his home state Terengganu – four months after leaving Johor Darul Takzim.
Last week Kelantan ended Selangor’s five-match winning streak with a 2-1 win at the Sultan Mohd IV Stadium in Kota Bahru to signal the revival under Azraai, who replaced Dutchman George Boateng.
Kelantan are also in the FA Cup semi-finals after knocking out Sime Darby in the two-legged quarter-finals 4-1 on aggregate and will play defending defending champions Pahang for a place in the final.
Treble winners in 2012, Kelantan have also tightened their strikeforce with the signing of Brazilian Gilmar Da Silva Filho and Nigerian Austin Amutu.
