Krishna Sadhana
Football Tribe SEA Editor
Liga Super Malaysia side Kedah FA have completed their foreign quota after announcing the signing of Filipino international Amin Nazari from Thai League 1 side Ratchaburi Mitr Phol on December 14th. A Filipino of Iranian descent who was born in Sweden, Amin usually operates as a midfielder, clocking up 27 appearances with Ratchaburi in the recently concluded 2019 T1 season. Amin has represented the Philippines national team twice, while his brother, Omid Nazari, another Filipino of Iranian descent born in Sweden, ply his trade in the Liga 1 Indonesia with Persib Bandung, playing at the same position as Amin does.
It is hoped that Amin would provide some steel to the Kedah midfield as they embark on their first ever foray into the AFC Champions League, taking on Hong Kong champions Wofoo Tai Po in the second preliminary round on January 21st 2020. Kedah head coach Aidil Sharin Sahak has spoken highly about the new signing, labeling Amin as a “midfield general.”
As quoted by Malaysia’s Harian Metro, Amin himself couldn’t contain his excitement of playing for the Red Eagles in the 2020 season.
“I’m honored to have joined Kedah, an excellent side who are contenders in the Malaysian league as well as winners of the 2019 Malaysian FA Cup,” said Amin during an interview after his arrival in Alor Setar, “I’m aiming for glory with this team, and to do so I’m willing to receive guidance from the coach (Aidil).”
Amin also spoke in the interview that he had found out about Kedah from compatriot Alvaro Silva, who played for the Red Eagles in the 2018 season. Silva had provided Amin with all the information that he need to know about Kedah, their players, and their philosophies. Coincidentally, Silva also found himself taking on a role of a new signing this season, having made the switch to newly promoted T1 side BG Pathum United after a brief loan stint at Suphanburi.
The signing of Amin meant that Kedah have completed their foreign quota this season, having retained Brazilian Renan Alves and Singaporean Shakir Hamzah from last season and signing the prolific duo of Kipré Tchétché and Kpah Sherman from Terengganu and PKNS respectively to replace their outgoing goalscoring duo of Fernando Rodriguez and Jonathan Bauman. For their local players, Kedah have also got themselves a number of quality players to bolster their squad for the upcoming season, such as the FELDA United duo of Hadin Azman and Azri Ghani, Zukhairi Zulkeply from UiTM FC, and Tam Sheang Tsung from the Sagan Tosu reserves.