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It’s strictly business for Fandi

KUANTAN — It may have been 22 years since he last played for Pahang, but Fandi Ahmad remains a hugely popular figure there.

KUANTAN — It may have been 22 years since he last played for Pahang, but Fandi Ahmad remains a hugely popular figure there.

Now head coach of Malaysian Super League (MSL) champions LionsXII, the former Singapore star is still held in high regard there, having helped them win the Malaysia League and Cup double in 1992.

In fact, former Malaysian international star Zainal Abidin revealed that his former room-mate had been on Pahang’s shopping list for a new coach to replace Dollah Salleh, who left to join Malaysian Premier League side Police FC.

But Fandi has insisted all sentiment will be left outside Kuantan’s Darulmakmur Stadium tonight, when the LionsXII begin the defence of their league title with the season opener and Charity Shield against the Malaysia Cup champions.

“I have only happy memories about Pahang and have met some very nice people here in my stint,” said Fandi yesterday.

“Pahang have a solid side in the making. They have some good foreigners and I must admit it will be a tough match. But at this stage of the season when every team are still finding their feet, we have the advantage of youth and maybe the hunger, on our side. It’s a young side we are going to depend on this season with a little experience to fall back on. But there is no denying that the energy and the eagerness plus the speed we have can help us.”

Pahang finished fifth in the MSL last season with 35 points but went on to lift the Malaysia Cup, beating Kelantan 1-0 in the final.

Now under former Australian national assistant coach Ronald Smith, 64, Pahang have bolstered their squad with the signings of British-born Pakistani defender Zeshan Rehman and Nigerian forward Dickson Nwakaeme.

Signed from Hong Kong side Kitchee, Rehman, 30, had spells with Fulham, Brighton, Blackpool and Bradford City. Nwakaeme, 27, was with Danish side Aalborg in 2010 before joining Kelantan last year where he scored 13 times in 25 matches.

The LionsXII must do without three of their most influential figures from last season’s MSL title-winning campaign after defender Baihakki Khaizan and midfielder Hariss Harun joined MSL rivals Johor Darul Takzim I, while former captain Shahril Ishak has linked up with JDT II in the Malaysian Premier League.

While some feel that will deplete the LionsXII, Smith remains wary of the threat the Singaporean side possess. “I saw them in the SEA Games when they played Malaysia in the bronze medal match and I thought they are not a bad side,” he said.

Fandi, on his part, believes how the central defensive pairing of Safuwan Baharudin and Afiq Yunos fare tonight, especially against the likes of Nwakaeme, will prove pivotal in the LionsXII’s chances of coming away with a win. “Dickson is big and strong. He is good shielding the ball and holding up play as he looks out for the opening. We have to be careful with what he does,” said Fandi.

LionsXII captain Isa Halim added: “Pahang are a solid side and we’ve never had it easy against them. And winning the Malaysia Cup tells you how good they are. We can expect a difficult match in Kuantan, but that’s what we are prepared to face in the MSL.”

LionsXII probable line-up: Izwan Mahbud; Faritz Hameed, Safuwan Baharudin, Afiq Yunos, Shakir Hamzah; Isa Halim, Zulfahmi Arifin, Hafiz Abu Sujad, Gabriel Quak; Sufian Annuar, Khairul Amri.

Pahang vs LionsXII on TV: StarHub Ch201, 8.30pm tonight.

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