The reigning MSL champions have been in hot form this season despite a number of events off field grabbing the headlines; Subramaniam provides some insight on the East-Coast club.
Boasting a new manager at the helm, Kelantan are currently riding high on the wave of success. Perched on top of the Super League, The Red Warriors have also booked an FA Cup semi-final spot and are in contention for the knockout stages of the AFC Cup.Rising centre-back S. Subramaniam shed Goal.com Malaysia some light on Kelantan’s success and their season so far.
“The reason Kelantan is having a great season is because we are a family”, Subramaniam summed up the East Coast powerhouse with a simple statement.
It couldn’t be farther from the truth, the core of the Red Warriors squad have been together for almost three years, thus understanding and respect is mutual, and holds the team like a strong glue.
Even with a new coach in Bojan Hodak in charge, Subra says the squad’s mentality and will to win remains as strong despite the departure of Peter Butler.
“There is basically not much difference in our style of play," said Subramaniam.
"Bojan has a friendly and understanding personality that [makes] players have no problems understanding what he wants from us.”
The 26-year-old centre-back states that Hodak puts more emphasis in defending and set-pieces, which is the core reason why Kelantan have conceded the least goals in the Super League this season.
Subra also wholeheartedly backed the under-fire Kelantan chairman Tan Sri Annuar Musa, who only just received a 30-month ban, stating the huge respect the team has for him.
“Tan Sri Annuar getting banned for his outspoken demeanor, will be a huge loss to Kelantan as he is one of the main reasons we have been so successful," he cautioned.
Subra went on to state that Peter Butler’s departure was not because of the chairman, but was rather due to a small rift between the duo which was blown out of proportion to give the public a bad view of him.
But focus on the pitch remains Kelantan’s top priority, insists the 26-year-old: “We are still in contention for three tournaments, so we will give our best to win every single match, but priority will definitely go to our domestic campaign."
"The AFC Cup is still a new threshold to us, so this will be a great exposure to compare our credentials with the rest of Asia."
Armed with confidence and flair, Kelantan look on course for a great 2012/2013 season regardless of what transpires on or off the field.
"Bojan has a friendly and understanding personality that [makes] players have no problems understanding what he wants from us.”
The 26-year-old centre-back states that Hodak puts more emphasis in defending and set-pieces, which is the core reason why Kelantan have conceded the least goals in the Super League this season.
Subra also wholeheartedly backed the under-fire Kelantan chairman Tan Sri Annuar Musa, who only just received a 30-month ban, stating the huge respect the team has for him.
“Tan Sri Annuar getting banned for his outspoken demeanor, will be a huge loss to Kelantan as he is one of the main reasons we have been so successful," he cautioned.
Subra went on to state that Peter Butler’s departure was not because of the chairman, but was rather due to a small rift between the duo which was blown out of proportion to give the public a bad view of him.
But focus on the pitch remains Kelantan’s top priority, insists the 26-year-old: “We are still in contention for three tournaments, so we will give our best to win every single match, but priority will definitely go to our domestic campaign."
"The AFC Cup is still a new threshold to us, so this will be a great exposure to compare our credentials with the rest of Asia."
Armed with confidence and flair, Kelantan look on course for a great 2012/2013 season regardless of what transpires on or off the field.
By: GOAL.COM
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