The ASEAN Club Championship resumes this week after a three-month hiatus, with KL City determined to maintain their perfect record. On Thursday, they face Lion City Sailors at Jalan Besar Stadium. Currently, KL City shares the top spot in Group B, boasting two victories from two matches. However, the team faces a demanding schedule with three more games to play, including the upcoming clash with the Sailors.
Paulo Josué, a 35-year-old Brazilian-born forward and one of Malaysia's standout performers at the ASEAN Championship, is set to play a crucial role once again. After Malaysia's group-stage exit at the ASEAN Championship, Josué quickly shifted focus to club duties. His team, Kuala Lumpur City, exited the Malaysia Cup on December 21 following a 6-1 aggregate loss to Johor Darul Ta'zim while he was on international duty.
KL City is currently dealing with an injury crisis as they prepare for Thursday's match. Regular starters Brendan Gan and Jovan Motika are ruled out, placing additional pressure on Josué to lead the team's efforts. Despite these setbacks, the team remains optimistic about their chances against the Lion City Sailors.
Miroslav Kuljanac, KL City's coach, emphasizes a cautious approach.
"We cannot be too confident in winning," – Miroslav Kuljanac
"But we've come here to play good football." – Miroslav Kuljanac
Reflecting on their past performances, Kuljanac noted,
"Unfortunately, we didn't qualify so that belongs in the past." – Miroslav Kuljanac
The ASEAN Club Championship is running concurrently with the domestic football season in Malaysia, creating a hectic schedule for players like Josué. Acknowledging the toll it takes, Josué admitted that he is no longer as young as he once was and that the schedule is taxing. However, he maintains a forward-looking attitude.
"We don't have much time to regret the past." – Paulo Josué
In light of the challenges faced by the team, Josué expressed his hope that whoever steps onto the field for KL City will be fully prepared and committed.
KL City extends full respect to Lion City Sailors, recognizing their recent performances. This acknowledgement underlines the competitive spirit and mutual respect present within the tournament. With an eye on maintaining their top position in Group B and continuing their winning streak, KL City remains focused on delivering a strong performance.
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