2023 Kuala Lumpur City F.C. season

Last updated
Kuala Lumpur City
2023 season
President Shahidan Kassim
CEO Stanley Bernard
Manager Nenad Baćina
Stadium Kuala Lumpur Stadium
Malaysia Super League 7th
Malaysia FA Cup Runner-up
Malaysia Cup Semi-finals
Top goalscorerLeague:
Paulo Josué (11)

All:
Romel Morales (14)
Average home league attendance1,764
  2022
2024–25  

The 2023 season was the 45th season in the existence of Kuala Lumpur City's and the club's 3rd consecutive season in the top flight of Malaysian football. In addition to the domestic league, the club also participating in this season's edition of Malaysia FA Cup and the Malaysia Cup.

Contents

Management team

PositionName
Manager/Head coach Flag of Croatia.svg Bojan Hodak
Assistant head coach Flag of Croatia.svg Miroslav Kuljanac
Assistant coach Flag of Croatia.svg Miro Petric
Flag of Malaysia.svg Shukor Adan
Goalkeeper coach Flag of Brazil.svg Guilherme Azevedo
Fitness coach Flag of Malaysia.svg Afeeq Aqmal
Team doctor Flag of Malaysia.svg Adzlan Amin
Flag of Malaysia.svg Hannan Haziq
Physiotherapist Flag of Malaysia.svg Afiqfuddin Salleh
Flag of Malaysia.svg Renesh

Squad information

First-team squad

As of 25 February 2023 [1]

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No.Pos.NationPlayer
1 GK Flag of the Philippines.svg  PHI Kevin Ray Mendoza S
3 DF Flag of Malaysia.svg  MAS Muhammad Faudzi
4 DF Flag of Malaysia.svg  MAS Kamal Azizi
5 DF Flag of Croatia.svg  CRO Matko ZirdumI
6 DF Flag of Malaysia.svg  MAS Ryan Lambert
7 MF Flag of Colombia.svg  COL Romel Morales I
8 MF Flag of Malaysia.svg  MAS Zhafri Yahya
9 DF Flag of Australia (converted).svg  AUS Giancarlo Gallifuoco A
12 DF Flag of Malaysia.svg  MAS Declan Lambert
14 MF Flag of Malaysia.svg  MAS Akram Mahinan
15 DF Flag of Malaysia.svg  MAS Khair Jones
16 MF Flag of Malaysia.svg  MAS Partiban Janasekaran
17 MF Flag of Malaysia.svg  MAS Sean Giannelli
No.Pos.NationPlayer
19 MF Flag of Italy.svg  ITA Sebastian Avanzini I
20 GK Flag of Malaysia.svg  MAS Azim Al AminU23
21 MF Flag of Malaysia.svg  MAS Kenny Pallraj
23 FW Flag of Cote d'Ivoire.svg  CIV Kipré Tchétché I
25 DF Flag of Malaysia.svg  MAS Anwar Ibrahim
26 MF Flag of Malaysia.svg  MAS Saravanan Thirumurugan U23
28 MF Flag of Brazil.svg  BRA Paulo Josué (captain)
30 GK Flag of Malaysia.svg  MAS Azri Ghani
33 FW Flag of Malaysia.svg  MAS Juzaerul JasmiU23
37 FW Flag of Malaysia.svg  MAS Haqimi Azim Rosli U20
41 MF Flag of Malaysia.svg  MAS Firdaus Saiyadi (on loan from Perak)
48 FW Flag of Malaysia.svg  MAS Faizal Hafiq
49 MF Flag of Malaysia.svg  MAS Hadi Mizei
77 DF Flag of Malaysia.svg  MAS Nazirul Naim

Remarks:
S These players are registered as ASEAN foreign players.
I These players are registered as International foreign players.
A These players are registered as Asia foreign players.
U23 These players are registered as Under-23 players.
U20 These players are registered as Under-20 players.

Out on loan

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No.Pos.NationPlayer
29 MF Flag of Malaysia.svg  MAS Arif Shaqirin (loan to Perak)

Transfers

In:Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No.Pos.NationPlayer
FW Flag of Brazil.svg  BRA Caion (from Selangor) [2]
FW Flag of Cote d'Ivoire.svg  CIV Kipré Tchétché (from Terengganu) [3]
DF Flag of Croatia.svg  CRO Matko Zirdum (from Flag of Croatia.svg Slaven Belupo) [4]
FW Flag of the Philippines.svg  PHI Patrick Reichelt (from Flag of Thailand.svg PT Prachuap) [5]
MF Flag of Malaysia.svg  MAS Firdaus Saiyadi (on loan from Perak)
MF Flag of Italy.svg  ITA Sebastian Avanzini (from Flag of Denmark.svg Hobro) [6]
DF Flag of Malaysia.svg  MAS Nazirul Naim (from Sabah)
FW Flag of Malaysia.svg  MAS Sean Giannelli (from Sri Pahang)
MF Flag of Malaysia.svg  MAS Saravanan Thirumurugan (from Selangor II)
FW Flag of Malaysia.svg  MAS Juzaerul Jasmi
DF Flag of Malaysia.svg  MAS Khair Jones (from Negeri Sembilan)
FW Flag of Malaysia.svg  MAS Faizal Hafiq
MF Flag of Malaysia.svg  MAS Hadi Mizei

Out:Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No.Pos.NationPlayer
FW Flag of Ghana.svg  GHA Jordan Mintah (loan return to Terengganu)
FW Flag of the Republic of the Congo.svg  CGO Kévin Koubemba (to Flag of Ukraine.svg Chornomorets Odesa)
MF Flag of Malaysia.svg  MAS Hadin Azman (to Penang) [7]
DF Flag of Malaysia.svg  MAS Irfan Zakaria (to Sabah) [8]
DF Flag of Malaysia.svg  MAS Nik Shahrul
DF Flag of Malaysia.svg  MAS Nik Umar
MF Flag of Malaysia.svg  MAS Fakrul Aiman
FW Flag of Malaysia.svg  MAS Safee Sali (retired)
DF Flag of Malaysia.svg  MAS Azhar Apandi
MF Flag of Malaysia.svg  MAS Izreen Izwandy
MF Flag of Malaysia.svg  MAS Arif Shaqirin (loan to Perak)
DF Flag of Malaysia.svg  MAS Nabil Hakim
MF Flag of Malaysia.svg  MAS Ridhwan Nazri

Pre-season and friendlies

  Win  Draw  Loss  Fixtures

29 January 2023Friendly Kuala Lumpur City 0–0 Terengganu Cheras
20:30 MYT (UTC+8)Stadium: Kuala Lumpur Stadium
31 January 2023Friendly Kuala Lumpur City 0–0 Kelantan United Cheras
20:30 MYT (UTC+8)Stadium: Kuala Lumpur Stadium
4 February 2023Friendly Kuala Lumpur City 3–0 Perak Cheras
21:00 MYT (UTC+8)
Stadium: Kuala Lumpur Stadium
14 February 2023Friendly Kuala Lumpur City 1–1 Negeri Sembilan Cheras
20:30 MYT (UTC+8)Stadium: Kuala Lumpur Stadium

Competitions

Malaysia Super League

25 February 20231 Kuala Lumpur City 2–2 Penang Cheras
21:00 MYT (UTC+8)
Report
Stadium: Kuala Lumpur Stadium
Attendance: 1,291
Referee: Tuan Mohd Yaasin Tuan Mohd Hanafiah
1 March 20232 Kuala Lumpur City 0–3 Johor Darul Ta'zim Cheras
20:15 MYT (UTC+8)
Report
Stadium: Kuala Lumpur Stadium
Attendance: 6,847
Referee: Mohd Fusser Mad Sallih
5 March 20233 Terengganu 0–0 Kuala Lumpur City Kuala Terengganu
21:00 MYT (UTC+8)
Report
Stadium: Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin Stadium
Attendance: 11,560
Referee: Mohamad Zamzaidi Katimin
11 March 20234 Negeri Sembilan 0–0 Kuala Lumpur City Paroi
21:00 MYT (UTC+8) Report Stadium: Tuanku Abdul Rahman Stadium
Attendance: 1,614
Referee: Muhammad Usaid Jamal
17 March 20235 Kelantan 2–2 Kuala Lumpur City Kota Bharu
20:15 MYT (UTC+8)
Report Stadium: Sultan Muhammad IV Stadium
Attendance: 6,678
Referee: S. Logeswaran
31 March 20236 Kuala Lumpur City 1–3 Selangor Cheras
22:00 MYT (UTC+8) Report
Stadium: Kuala Lumpur Stadium
Attendance: 4,204
Referee: Mohammad Zamzaidi Katimin
5 April 20237 Kuala Lumpur City 2–0 Sabah Cheras
22:00 MYT (UTC+8)
Report
Stadium: Kuala Lumpur Stadium
Attendance: 1,194
Referee: Suhaizi Shukri
10 April 20238 Kuala Lumpur City 1–0 Perak Cheras
22:00 MYT (UTC+8)
Report
Stadium: Kuala Lumpur Stadium
Attendance: 1,260
Referee: Suhaizi Shukri
18 April 20239 Kedah Darul Aman 2–3 Kuala Lumpur City Alor Setar
22:00 (UTC+08:00)
Report
Stadium: Darul Aman Stadium
Attendance: 2,590
Referee: Nazmi Nasaruddin
27 April 202310 Kuala Lumpur City 3–0 PDRM Cheras
20:15 MYT (UTC+08:00)
Report
Stadium: Kuala Lumpur Stadium
Attendance: 627
Referee: Usaid Jamal
14 May 20234 Negeri Sembilan 2–1 Kuala Lumpur City Paroi
21:00 MYT (UTC+08:00)
Report
Stadium: Tuanku Abdul Rahman Stadium
Attendance: 452
Referee: Mohd Fusser Mad Salih
20 May 202311 Kelantan United 1–3 Kuala Lumpur City Kota Bharu
21:00 MYT (UTC+08:00)
Report
Stadium: Sultan Muhammad IV Stadium
Attendance: 224
Referee: Fitri Maskon
24 May 202312 Kuala Lumpur City 1–1 Kuala Lumpur City Cheras
21:00 MYT (UTC+08:00) Report
Stadium: Kuala Lumpur Stadium
Attendance: 610
Referee: Zamzaidi Katimin
4 June 202313 Sri Pahang 1–2 Kuala Lumpur City Kuantan
21:00 MYT (UTC+08:00)
Report Stadium: Darul Makmur Stadium
Attendance: 4,804
Referee: Razlan Joffri Ali
8 June 202314 Penang 1–1 Kuala Lumpur City Georgetown
21:00 MYT (UTC+08:00)
Report
Stadium: City Stadium
Attendance: 1,455
Referee: Zamzaidi Katimin
3 July 202315 Johor Darul Ta’zim 6–1 Kuala Lumpur City Iskandar Puteri
21:00 MYT (UTC+08:00)
Report
Stadium: Sultan Ibrahim Stadium
Attendance: 11,691
Referee: S. Logeswaran
7 July 202316 Kuala Lumpur City 3–3 Terengganu Cheras
21:00 MYT (UTC+08:00) Report
Stadium: Kuala Lumpur Stadium
Attendance: 1,464
Referee: Razlan Joffri Ali
15 July 202317 Kuala Lumpur City 1–1 Negeri Sembilan Cheras
17:30 MYT (UTC+08:00)
Report
Stadium: Kuala Lumpur Stadium
Attendance: 688
Referee: Zamzaidi Katimin
29 July 202318 Kuala Lumpur City 5–1 Kelantan Cheras
17:30 MYT (UTC+08:00)
Report
Stadium: Kuala Lumpur Stadium
Attendance: 1,037
Referee: Faizudin Ismail
8 August 202319 Selangor 2–0 Kuala Lumpur City Petaling Jaya
21:00 MYT (UTC+08:00) Report Stadium: MBPJ Stadium
Attendance: 7,964
Referee: Suhaizi Shukri
13 August 202320 Sabah 3–2 Kuala Lumpur City Kota Kinabalu
19:30 MYT (UTC+08:00)
Report
Stadium: Likas Stadium
Attendance: 6,462
Referee: Suhaizi Shukri
27 August 202321 Perak 0–4 Kuala Lumpur City Cheras
20:15 MYT (UTC+08:00) Report Stadium: Kuala Lumpur Stadium
Attendance: 6,998
Referee: Zamzaidi Katimin
30 September 202322 Kuala Lumpur City 0–1 Kedah Darul Aman Cheras
21:00 MYT (UTC+08:00) Report
Stadium: Kuala Lumpur Stadium
Attendance: 2,068
Referee: S. Logeswaran
27 October 202323 PDRM 2–0 Kuala Lumpur City Petaling Jaya
20:15 MYT (UTC+08:00)
Report
Stadium: MBPJ Stadium
Attendance: 149
Referee: Khirulazuan Kidam
26 November 202324 Kuala Lumpur City 3–0 Kelantan United Cheras
21:00 MYT (UTC+08:00) Report Stadium: Kuala Lumpur Stadium
Attendance: 397
Referee: S. Logeswaran
10 December 202325 Kuching City 2–3 Kuala Lumpur City Kuching
20:15 MYT (UTC+08:00)
Report
Stadium: Sarawak Stadium
Attendance: 238
Referee: Usaid Jamal
16 December 202326 Kuala Lumpur City 0–0 Sri Pahang Cheras
21:00 MYT (UTC+08:00)
Report
Stadium: Kuala Lumpur Stadium
Attendance: 1,248
Referee: Abang Azharudin Abdullah

PosTeamPldWDLGFGAGDPtsQualification or relegation
5 Sri Pahang 2613674433+1145
6 Terengganu 2611784534+1140Qualification for the AFF Shopee Cup group stage [a]
7 Kuala Lumpur City 2610884439+538
8 PDRM 26114113537237
9 Negeri Sembilan 26691133491627
Source: MFL
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Number of goals scored.
Notes:
  1. Qualified as the 2023 Malaysia Cup & 2023 Malaysia FA Cup runner-up.

Malaysia FA Cup

14 April 2023Round of 16 Kuala Lumpur City 2–0 Immigration Cheras
22:00 (UTC+08:00)
Report
Stadium: Kuala Lumpur Stadium
Attendance: 402
Referee: Abdul Rahman Wahab
28 May 2023Quarter-final Sabah 1–2 Kuala Lumpur City Kota Kinabalu
22:00 (UTC+08:00)
Report Stadium: Likas Stadium
Attendance: 6,797
Referee: Zamzaidi Katimin
25 June 2023Semi-final Terengganu 0–0 (a.e.t.)
(2–4 SO)
Kuala Lumpur City Kuala Terengganu
21:00 (UTC+08:00)
Report
Stadium: Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin Stadium
Attendance: 26,540
Referee: Suhaizi Shukri
Shootout
22 July 2023Final Johor Darul Ta’zim 2–0 Kuala Lumpur City Iskandar Puteri
21:00 (UTC+08:00)
Report
Stadium: Sultan Ibrahim Stadium
Attendance: 33,598
Referee: Nazmi Nasaruddin

Malaysia Cup

Round of 16

3 August 20231st leg Penang 0–4 Kuala Lumpur City George Town
21:00 (UTC+08:00) Report
Stadium: City Stadium
Attendance: 1,201
Referee: Zamzaidi Katimin
18 August 20232nd leg Kuala Lumpur City 1–0
(5–0 agg.)
Penang Cheras
20:15 (UTC+08:00) Report Stadium: Kuala Lumpur Stadium
Attendance: 570
Referee: Mohd Fusser Mad Sallih

Quarter-finals

17 September 20231st leg Kuala Lumpur City 1–0 Sri Pahang Cheras
20:15 (UTC+08:00)
Report Stadium: Kuala Lumpur Stadium
Attendance: 1,697
Referee: Zamzaidi Katimin
24 September 20232nd leg Sri Pahang 1–1
(1–2 agg.)
Kuala Lumpur City Kuantan
17:30 (UTC+08:00)
Report
Stadium: Darul Makmur Stadium
Attendance: 4,041
Referee: Mohd Fusser Mad Sallih

Semi-finals

21 October 20231st leg Kuala Lumpur City 1–2 Terengganu Cheras
21:00 (UTC+08:00)
Report
Stadium: Kuala Lumpur Stadium
Attendance: 4,210
Referee: Muhammad Usaid Jamal
3 November 20232nd leg Terengganu 2–1
(2–4 agg.)
Kuala Lumpur Kuala Terengganu
21:00 (UTC+08:00)
Report
Stadium: Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin Stadium
Attendance: 25,221
Referee: Nazmi Nasaruddin

Statistics

Appearances and goals

No.PosNatPlayerTotalLeagueFA CupMalaysia Cup
AppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Goalkeepers
1 GK Flag of the Philippines.svg  PHI Kevin Ray Mendoza 1601001050
20 GK Flag of Malaysia.svg  MAS Azim Al-Amin 60303000
30 GK Flag of Malaysia.svg  MAS Azri Ghani 1401300010
Defenders
3 DF Flag of Malaysia.svg  MAS Muhammad Faudzi 902+50001+10
4 DF Flag of Malaysia.svg  MAS Kamal Azizi 35025+103060
5 DF Flag of Croatia.svg  CRO Matko Zirdum 22213+123050
9 DF Flag of Australia (converted).svg  AUS Giancarlo Gallifuoco 3012113+1050
12 DF Flag of Malaysia.svg  MAS Declan Lambert 291211304+10
15 DF Flag of Malaysia.svg  MAS Khair Jones 500+40000+10
19 DF Flag of Italy.svg  ITA Sebastian Avanzini 31220+22404+10
25 DF Flag of Malaysia.svg  MAS Anwar Ibrahim 1103+401+100+20
77 DF Flag of Malaysia.svg  MAS Nazirul Naim 2608+902+102+40
Midfielders
6 MF Flag of Malaysia.svg  MAS Ryan Lambert 30021+103+103+10
7 MF Flag of Colombia.svg  COL Romel Morales 291416+482+224+14
8 MF Flag of Malaysia.svg  MAS Zhafri Yahya 28317+423041
14 MF Flag of Malaysia.svg  MAS Akram Mahinan 2105+800+204+20
16 MF Flag of Malaysia.svg  MAS Partiban 520+5100+100
17 MF Flag of Malaysia.svg  MAS Sean Giannelli 2135+1031+101+30
21 MF Flag of Malaysia.svg  MAS Kenny Pallraj 24015+401+102+10
26 MF Flag of Malaysia.svg  MAS Saravanan Thirumurugan 30416+52423+20
28 MF Flag of Brazil.svg  BRA Paulo Josué 311121+3113040
29 MF Flag of Malaysia.svg  MAS Arif Shaqirin 310+11000+20
41 MF Flag of Malaysia.svg  MAS Firdaus Saiyadi 500+301+1000
49 MF Flag of Malaysia.svg  MAS Hadi Mizei200+10000+10
Forwards
10 FW Flag of Brazil.svg  BRA Caion 1617+711+1000
11 FW Flag of the Philippines.svg  PHI Patrick Reichelt 1506+501+101+10
23 FW Flag of Cote d'Ivoire.svg  CIV Kipré Tchétché 301114+981+104+13
37 FW Flag of Malaysia.svg  MAS Haqimi Azim 2313+1310+303+10
50 FW Flag of Malaysia.svg  MAS Sachin Samuel100+100000
51 FW Flag of Malaysia.svg  MAS Suhaimi Abu201+100000
Players transferred out during the season

Last updated: 3 November 2023
Source: Competitions

Under-23s

Current squad

As of 6 March 2023

These Under-23 players or Kuala Lumpur City Extension participated in Malaysian Football League cup.

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No.Pos.NationPlayer
1 GK Flag of Malaysia.svg  MAS Julian Bechler
20 GK Flag of Malaysia.svg  MAS Azim Al Amin
24 DF Flag of Malaysia.svg  MAS Khairul Naim Zainal Abidin
26 MF Flag of Malaysia.svg  MAS Saravanan Thirumurugan
32 DF Flag of Malaysia.svg  MAS Nashran Elias
33 DF Flag of Malaysia.svg  MAS Juzaerul Jasmi(captain)
34 MF Flag of Malaysia.svg  MAS Amirul Aiman
35 MF Flag of Malaysia.svg  MAS Adib Faris
42 DF Flag of Malaysia.svg  MAS Nadzwin Salleh
46 MF Flag of Malaysia.svg  MAS Izreen Izwandy
47 DF Flag of Malaysia.svg  MAS Faris Zabri
48 FW Flag of Malaysia.svg  MAS Faizal Hafiq
49 MF Flag of Malaysia.svg  MAS Hadi Mizei @ Termizi
No.Pos.NationPlayer
50 GK Flag of Malaysia.svg  MAS Haziq Fitri
55 GK Flag of Malaysia.svg  MAS Syafiq Sabaruddin
60 MF Flag of Malaysia.svg  MAS Sachin Samuel
65 DF Flag of Malaysia.svg  MAS Syahkhir Razali
69 FW Flag of Malaysia.svg  MAS Suhaimi Abu
70 DF Flag of Malaysia.svg  MAS Loquman Syadiq
71 MF Flag of Malaysia.svg  MAS Azim Nadim
80 FW Flag of Malaysia.svg  MAS Alif Safwan
87 MF Flag of Malaysia.svg  MAS Amreel Iqbal
88 MF Flag of Malaysia.svg  MAS Ridhwan Nazri
96 MF Flag of Malaysia.svg  MAS Amirul Zul Aiman
99 FW Flag of Malaysia.svg  MAS Wan Syamil Sulaiman

Coaching staff

MFL Cup

3 March 20231 Kuala Lumpur City Extension 1—0 Kelantan Cheras
20:15 MYT (UTC+8)
  • Faizal Hafiq Soccerball shade.svg76'
Report Stadium: Kuala Lumpur Stadium
Attendance: 187
Referee: Muhammad Latiffi Mohd Zahrom
11 March 20232 Selangor II 0—1 Kuala Lumpur City Extension Shah Alam
Report Stadium: UiTM Stadium

Appearances and goals

As of 3 March 2023
PlayerPositionAppearancesGoals
Kuala Lumpur City Extension
Flag of Malaysia.svg Azim Al Amin GK 10
Flag of Malaysia.svg Nashran Elias DF 10
Flag of Malaysia.svg Juzaerul Jasmi DF 10
Flag of Malaysia.svg Amirul Aiman MF 10
Flag of Malaysia.svg Faris Zabri DF 10
Flag of Malaysia.svg Faizal Hafiq FW 11
Flag of Malaysia.svg Hadi Mizei @ Termizi MF 10
Flag of Malaysia.svg Sachin Samuel MF 10
Flag of Malaysia.svg Suhaimi Abu FW 10
Flag of Malaysia.svg Loquman Syadiq DF 10
Flag of Malaysia.svg Alif Safwan FW 10
Flag of Malaysia.svg Khairul Naim DF 10
Flag of Malaysia.svg Izreen Izwandy MF 10
Flag of Malaysia.svg Azim Nadim MF 10
Flag of Malaysia.svg Amirul Zul Aiman MF 10
Own goals0
Total goals1

References

  1. "Team Detail – Kuala Lumpur City FC". Football Association of Malaysia. Archived from the original on 6 February 2022. Retrieved 15 January 2022.
  2. "Caion vows to be a giant up front for KL". thestar.com.my. The Star. 21 January 2023.
  3. "KL City set to sign Tchetche". nst.com.my. New Straits Times. 15 December 2022.
  4. "Matko Zirdum tekad penuhi percaturan Kuala Lumpur City". stadiumastro.com. Stadium Astro. 23 January 2023.
  5. "Patrick Reichelt moves to Kuala Lumpur City FC". philstar.com. philstar. 17 January 2023.
  6. "Sebastian Avanzini Kini Import Baru KL City". makanbola.com. Makan BOLA. 10 January 2023.
  7. "Hadin Azman Tekad Kembali Bangkit, Mahu Bantu Penang". vocketfc.com. Vocket FC. 17 January 2023.
  8. "Mahu pengalaman baru, Irfan pilih sertai Sabah FC". stadiumastro.com. Stadium Astro. 2 December 2022.