KOTA BAHRU (18 July 2012) – Recently crowned Malaysian Super League champions Kelantan will be counting on the proverbial 12th man when they take on Queens Park Rangers (QPR) in a friendly this Friday night at the Shah Alam Stadium.
Team manager Azman Ibrahim said that the 12th player who are the supporters of The Red Warriors, will be joining the squad at the Shah Alam Stadium to show QPR that Kelantan are not only a great team, but also a big fan club that is as great as the supporters in the English Premier League.
“The opportunity to meet QPR is very valuable to us. Besides getting the opportunity to meet an English Premier League club, it is also an opportunity for us to experience what it’s like to compete with world class players and to meet a professionally-managed team,” said Azman.
“I really hope this becomes our first step towards a more structured and professional management. On behalf of the management team and KAFA, I would like to take this opportunity to express my gratitude to Tan Sri Tony Fernandes for choosing our team as a challenger in the ‘QPR Asia Tour 2012’. We will promise an exciting and entertaining game.
“I recommend that international friendly match like this be held from time to time. I am confident with the current management and I know they can bring our national football to a higher level for the sake of Kelantan and our country.
Added Mohd Badhri Radzi, the captain of Kelantan: “the upcoming game with QPR will be my third game with the English clubs after playing against Chelsea last year with the national team and Manchester United in 2009. It is undeniably a very meaningful experience and exposure.
“Although my teammates might be a bit exhausted due to the tight schedule throughout the year, I am convinced that they will put up their best for this match.
“I am grateful to the top management of KAFA, especially Tan Sri Annuar Musa, for always giving us the opportunity to continue to improve ourselves in football.
“To all our fans, please come to the stadium and support us. This will be a history for Kelantan. Hopefully our fans can show the world that Kelantan fans are equivalent to the supporters in the English Premier League, fanatical and disciplined.”
Tan Sri Annuar Musa, the president of KAFA, has also announced a bonus of RM50,000 if Kelantan can draw or win the game against QPR.
In the meantime, QPR began their tour of Malaysia last night with a 5-0 drubbing of a Sabah Selection side at the Likas Stadium in Kota Kinabalu.
In front of more than 20,000 screaming fans, Bobby Zamora blasted in the lead on eight minute before further goals from Matt Connolly (63rd minute), Jamie Mackie (69th) and Djibril Cisse (73rd and 81st) wrapped things up for the visitors.
For the one-off tie, Sabah had enlisted talented winger Oktovianus Maniani and striker Titus Bonai from Indonesia.
