Kelantan to sign new player from Middle East - Annuar

Kelantan are expected to sign a new player from the middle east to beef up their strike force when the second round of the Super League and Malaysia Cup starts.

Kelantan Football Association (KAFA) adviser Tan Sri Annuar Musa who did not elaborate details about the player only stated that the player was a leading striker in the Kuwaiti League.

"I believe Kelantan need to strengthen the squad because we will be facing various challenges. The player will not be under the Asia players quota...we will make a firm decision after a meeting with KAFA," he told reporters after an UMNO information heads ''retreat'' here Friday.

On May 18, Kelantan had signed Lebanon international Abou Bakr Al-Mel to replace his fellow countryman Mohammed Ghaddar who has since joined Johor Darul Ta''zim (JDT).

Meanwhile, speaking of current coach Zahasmi Ismail''s status, Annuar said the former international would continue to serve as the coach and together with recently appointed Technical Director Alfredo Gonzales, can steer the team to greater heights.

"There will be no termination...but rather an opportunity to form a working relationship with Alfredo (Gonzales) who is an experienced coach. I believe what is important is that Kelantan can try out the Latin type of football, at least in the Malaysia Cup," he said.

It was earlier reported that Zahasmi had asked the KAFA adviser to look for a foreign coach to ''revive'' the Kelantan squad although no specific target was set for Zahasmi who signed a one year contract to replace Bulgarian coach Velizar Emilov Popov who did not extend his contract with Kelantan due to personal and family problems. - BERNAMA