KUALA LUMPUR – Six matches into the 2023 Super League season, the performance of Selangor FC’s new signings has proven that head coach Tan Cheng Hoe has made the right calls for his squad.
Tan commended forward Ayron del Valle Rodriguez for his relentless dedication to the squad despite the 34-year-old’s late arrival to Malaysia.
“Even though he is older, he is still relevant to the entire team in terms of his contributions and overall fitness.
“We know that when it comes to scoring goals, Ayron is a good striker with good qualities who can be very dangerous in front of goal,” Tan said after the Klang Valley derby.
The Colombian hitman joined Selangor earlier this year, and his arrival was announced during the team’s new kit unveiling, alongside two other import players – Noor Al-Rawabdeh from Jordan and Ghanaian Rauf Salifu.
Rodriguez netted twice in last Friday’s 3-1 win against local rivals Kuala Lumpur City FC.
The Colombian striker has found the back of the net four times so far this season, striking in the Red Giants’ 2-1 win against Penang and their 5-0 thumping of Kuching City FC.
Before joining Selangor, he played in Colombia’s Categoria Primera A, last turning out for Once Caldas in 2022, where he scored 11 goals in 35 appearances.
His most notable achievement came during his stint with Millonarios FC from 2016 to 2018, where he struck 38 goals in 103 matches.
However, even after scoring two goals, Rodriguez seemed to be out of place in the team at times during Friday’s match as several of his passes went astray.
“As a coach, I think he still needs time because he came late during the transfer window and it is not so easy to get adjusted to a team.
“But we see him working and training hard every day to be at a certain level for this team because this team needs his contribution and touch as well,” Tan added.
Meanwhile, Selangor’s other signing Noor Al-Rawabdeh has also been a success this season, with the 26-year-old Jordanian scoring three goals so far for the Red Giants.
Tan said a striker’s confidence is sure to be boosted game by game once they get a taste of scoring for their new club.
“But what is more important is the contribution to the team. Even if there is no goal but they can assist, that is already a good thing,” he said.
Mohamad Faisal Halim currently leads the assists leaderboard for Selangor this season, and the former Terengganu player scored his long-awaited first goal for his new club last Friday.
This came following his first goal of the year after scoring for Harimau Malaya during their 2-0 friendly win against Hong Kong last Tuesday.
“I am happy that I can score for Selangor and am grateful for all my teammates’ hard work, because what I am doing is all for the team and not myself.
“The pressure to score will always be there but I am happy and will need to keep tweaking my play to help the team,” said Faisal.
Selangor currently sit fourth in the Super League behind Sabah FC and ahead of Sri Pahang in fifth.
The Red Giants will next take on Negeri Sembilan FC at 10pm tomorrow at the Petaling Jaya City Council Stadium. – The Vibes, April 3, 2023
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