KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian Football Coaches Association (MFCA) president, B. Sathianathan has stressed that all parties involved cannot blame Akhyar Rashid if he decides to really move to Super League champions Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT).
Sathianathan feels that each and every player in this country harbours dreams and hopes of being able to play for JDT based on the fact that the Southern Tigers have all sorts of facilities that are readily available to them.
“To be honest I dare say that all the players in our country harbor hopes and dreams of playing for JDT, because if I were a player, I would not hesitate nor procrastinate to accept an offer from JDT.
“They (JDT) have really good facilities, good players, no problems or issues in paying salaries and bonuses, featuring in the Asian Champions League and so much more.
“Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim (JDT’s owner) has provided just about everything, so what more would a player want? In Akhyar’s case, it is entirely up to him, but no one can blame him if he wants to go and play for JDT,” he said.
Speculation has been rife as to who Akhyar will play for next season after the Kedah FA (KFA) claimed that JDT did not hold any further discussions with them despite the fact that Akhyar still has a year left on his contract with the Red Eagles.
In fact, KFA are unhappy with the compensation amount of just RM75,000 which was determined by the FA of Malaysia (FAM) for the international forward.
From the decision made by FAM’s Status Committee meeting that was held earlier this month, Akhyar will be allowed to buy out his contract worth RM210,000 with KFA.
Apart from JDT and Perlis, there has also been speculation that Selangor are also said to be interested to get Akhyar’s services for next season.
As the coach for Selangor, Sathianathan said that he had no knowledge of such speculation, but he did not discount the fact that the Red Giants could be open to the idea of roping in a player of Akhyar’s caliber.
“If he wants to come and play for Selangor, we are ready to open the doors and welcome him. But we have to bear in mind whether Akhyar really wants to join Selangor, and if he has other terms and conditions that have to be considered. But if you ask me from the perspective of a coach, it would be foolish if we say that we would not take him in,” he said.