Kelantan The Real Warriors F.C.

This article is about Kelantan The Real Warriors. For Kelantan Football Club, see Kelantan F.C. For Kelantan Red Warrior, see Kelantan Red Warrior F.C.

Kelantan The Real Warriors

Full name	Kelantan The Real Warriors Football Club
Nickname(s)	The Real Warriors [1]
Short name	KTRW
Founded	2016;9 years ago (2016), as MPKB-BRI UBeS Football Club 2017;8 years ago (2017), as Kelantan United Football Club 2024;1 year ago (2024), as Kelantan Darul Naim Football Club 2025;0 years ago (2025), as Kelantan The Real Warriors Football Club
Ground	Sultan Muhammad IV Stadium
Capacity	30,000 [2]
President	Annuar Musa
CEO	Irwan Rizal
Head coach	E. Elavarasan
League	Malaysia Super League
2024–25	Malaysia Super League, 13th of 13
Website	therealwarriors.com.my
Home colours Away colours Third colours
Current season

Kelantan The Real Warriors Football Club (Malay : Kelab Bola Sepak Kelantan The Real Warriors) is a Malaysian professional football club based in Kota Bharu, Kelantan. ^{[3] [4] [5]} The club plays in the Malaysia Super League, the top-flight football league of Malaysia, after being promoted from the Malaysia Premier League in 2022. ^[6] The club was founded in 2016 as MPKB-BRI UbeS Football Club (Kota Bharu Municipal Council – Islamic City Youth and Sports Secretariat), before being reformed as Kelantan United in 2017, Kelantan Darul Naim and Kelantan The Real Warriors in 2024 and 2025 respectively. Their home stadium is Sultan Muhammad IV Stadium which has a capacity of 30,000.

History

Formation and early years

The club was previously known as Majlis Perbandaran Kota Bharu-Bandar Raya Islam Urusetia Belia and Sukan Negeri Kelantan Football Club (MPKB-BRI UBeS FC). They entered the Malaysian football competition in 2016 when the club was accepted to compete in the FAM League. ^[7] The club finished the season at the eight place.

Kelantan United

For the 2017 season, they participated in the Malaysia FA Cup. ^{[8] [9] [10]} The club was later rebranded to Kelantan United Football Club as an effort to bring in support in the local area. In 2023, the club was promoted to the Malaysia Super League for the first time in their history. On 2 June 2023, Kelantan United recorded their first win in the top flight against city rivals Kelantan, with the score of 4–1.

Kelantan Darul Naim

In the 2024–25 Malaysia Super League season, Kelantan United was rebranded as Kelantan Darul Naim Football Club. The club's president Rozi Muhammad said the rebranding comes from the management's desire to unite Kelantan supporters under one banner. ^[11] In November 2024, the club travelled to India and took part in the 2024 edition of the Sikkim Gold Cup. ^{[12] [13]}

The Real Warriors

In 2025, they were rebranded again, this time as Kelantan The Real Warriors Football Club. ^[14] On 7 May 2025, Irwan Rizal has been appointed as the club's chief executive officer. ^[15] On 15 July 2025, the club appointed Annuar Musa as the club's president. ^[16] On 1 July 2025, the club appointed E. Elavarasan as the new head coach along with Muamer Salibašić as the assistant head coach.

Stadium and location

Coordinates	Location	Stadium	Capacity	Year
6°7′26″N102°14′36″E / 6.12389°N 102.24333°E / 6.12389; 102.24333	Kota Bharu	Sultan Muhammad IV Stadium	30,000	2016–present

Crest and colours

Crest

The club has used one primary crest since its participation in the national level football league competition before the club introduce a new crest starting in 2017 season to solidify its new branding. ^{[17] [18]}

• 
  2016
• 
  2017–2018
• 
  2019–2022
• 
  2023
• 
  2024–2025
• 
  2025−present

Colours

Kelantan has mostly worn black with mixture of red as their home kit. ^[19] For 2017 season, the club play in red with a trim of white for home kit. ^[18] Kelantan's away colours are usually white with green trim. ^[18]

Kit and sponsorship

Since the 2024–25 season, the main equipment supplier has been PUC Sport. The contract is currently valid. ^[20]

Sponsors

Manufacturer Period Brand Source 2016 Sala 2017 GomoGi 2018 Kronos 2019–2020 SkyHawk 2021 Umbro 2022 Gatti 2023 IAM 2024– PUC [21]

Shirt Sponsor Period Sponsor Source 2016 Minyak Mestika / SH Prima Trading 2017 MPKB-BRI 2018 Gelumbang Jaya 2019 U-Shop / Mysports Station 2020 Visit Kelantan 2020 / Jaya Mas Mining 2021–2022 کلنتن ملڠکه ک هدڤن / Yakult 2023 کلنتن ملڠکه ک هدڤن / Nasken Coffee 2024–2025 Visit Kelantan 2024 / PUC Sport [21] 2025– KijangHandal / Al Hamra Group

Other Sponsor Period Sponsor Source 2025– redONE / Rohm / Qashwa Travel / Konsortium E-Mutiara / Klinik Safwa / d'Healthy / Fresh Life / Extra Joss / YPC Ice Cube / Eniq World Property / Bard Gym / WMC Berkat Printing / Dobi2all / Exa Supply & Services / Kemasin Beach Resort / Ekspres Perdana

Season-by-season record

Season	League									FA Cup	Malaysia Cup	Top goalscorer
	Division	P	W	D	L	F	A	Pts	Pos			Name	Goals
2016	FAM	14	2	4	8	12	23	10	8th Group B	—	—	—	—
2017	FAM	14	5	6	3	21	16	21	5th Group A	R2	—	Raim Azmi	4
2018	FAM	12	2	2	8	13	21	8	7th Group A	—	—	Masri Asyraf	5
2019	M3	26	21	3	2	93	20	66	1st	R3	—	Fakhrul Zaman	35
2020	MPL	11	4	0	7	13	19	12	8th	—	—	Gassama Alfussainey	6
2021	MPL	20	8	2	10	25	28	27	7th	—	GS	Gassama Alfussainey	12
2022	MPL	18	6	7	5	23	19	25	5th	R16	R2	Jacob Njoku	10
2023	MSL	26	4	5	17	29	65	17	12th	R16	R16	OJ Porteria	7
2024–25	MSL	24	2	1	21	16	82	17	13th	R16	R16	Oday Kharoub	4
2025–26	MSL	Ongoing

Champions

Runners-up

Third place

Promoted

Relegated

P = Played W = Games won D = Games drawn L = Games lost F = Goals for A = Goals against Pts = Points Pos = Final position N/A = No answer

FAM = FAM League M3 = Malaysia M3 League MPL = Malaysia Premier League MSL = Malaysia Super League

QR1 = First Qualifying Round QR2 = Second Qualifying Round QR3 = Third Qualifying Round QR4 = Fourth Qualifying Round RInt = Intermediate Round R1 = Round 1 R2 = Round 2 R3 = Round 3

R4 = Round 4 R5 = Round 5 R6 = Round 6 R16 = Round of 16 GR = Group stage QF = Quarter-finals SF = Semi-finals RU = Runners-up S = Shared W = Winners

Players

As of 31 August 2025 ^[22]

First-team squad

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. Nation Player 2 DF   PHI Simen Lyngbø 4 MF   ITA Sebastian Avanzini 5 DF   CIV Alexandre Yeoulé 7 FW   BHR Prince Aggreh 8 MF   CAN Albert Kang 10 MF   BHR Habib Haroon 11 DF   MAS Wan Amirul Afiq 12 FW   BHR Ifedayo Olusegun (captain) 13 GK   BUL Damyan Damyanov 14 MF   MAS Azam Azih 15 DF   MAS Nik Umar 17 MF   MAS Syafik Ismail 18 GK   MAS Azfar Arif 19 MF   MAS Syaahir Saiful 20 MF   MAS Danial Haqim

No. Pos. Nation Player 21 MF   MAS Khairul Izuan 23 DF   MAS Azwan Aripin 24 FW   SLE Abdul Sesay 25 MF   MAS Syahir Rashid 26 FW   MAS T. Saravanan 27 MF   SWE Saifu Izamander 29 MF   MAS Farris Izdiham 30 MF   MYA Hein Htet Aung 33 GK   MAS Fikri Che Soh 36 FW   ENG Noel Mbo 45 DF   MAS Faris Shah 50 DF   MAS Rakesh Munusamy 66 DF   SLE Yusuf Sesay 70 FW   MAS Sean Selvaraj 88 MF   MAS Asraff Aliffuddin

Club officials

Coaching staff

As of 31 August 2025

Position	Name
Head coach	E. Elavarasan
Assistant head coach	Muamer Salibašić
Goalkeeping coach	Khairul Nizan Mohd Taib
Fitness coach	Kamarul Dinis Kamarudin
Doctors	Nabil Aiman Noor Adnan Ahmad Baihaqi Abd Rahman Muhammad Hafiz Kamaruzaman Ahmad Waqiuddin Rajab
Physiotherapist	Muhammad Amir Fadzlan
Kitmen	Shamsudin Deraman Zairul Fitree Ishak Shahrul Ridzuan Samsuddin

Club personnel

Position	Name
President	Annuar Musa
Chief executive officer	Irwan Rizal
Director	Rozi Muhamad

Coaches

Name	Nationality	From	To
Mahadi Yusoff	Malaysia	2015	2016
Abdullah Muhammad	Malaysia	2016	2016
Azli Mahmood	Malaysia	2016	2016
Kamaruddin Muhammad	Malaysia	2017	2017
Abdullah Muhammad	Malaysia	2018	2018
Zahasmi Ismail	Malaysia	2019	17 September 2020
Akira Higashiyama	Japan	1 January 2021	30 June 2021
Nazrulerwan Makmor	Malaysia	19 July 2021	9 January 2022
Syamsul Saad	Malaysia	10 January 2022	8 August 2022
Tomáš Trucha	Czech Republic	30 December 2022	8 April 2023
Ailton Silva	Brazil	15 June 2023	21 November 2023
Park Jae-hong	South Korea	19 April 2024	24 January 2025
E. Elavarasan	Malaysia	1 July 2025	current

Club presidents

Name	Tenure
Che Abdullah Mat Nawi	–31 December 2022
Rozi Muhamad	31 December 2022 [23] –15 July 2025
Annuar Musa	15 July 2025 [24] –

Honours

League

• Division 3/M3 League
  • Champions (1): 2019

International competitions

• All India Governor's Gold Cup
  • Quarter-Finals: 2024

Affiliated clubs

• Bunyodkor (2025–present)

Kelantan The Real Warriors signed an Memorandum of Understanding with Bunyodkor of the Uzbekistan Super League in September 2025. The signing ceremony took place at the Uzbekistan National Stadium Office, represented by the club president, Annuar Musa. This strategic collaboration covers technical aspects, friendly matches, player loans and academy development and is a major step that will strengthen the direction of Kelantan football on the international stage.

References

1. "KDN FC Kini Berjulukan The Real Warrior". Sukanz. 26 June 2025.
2. "Kelantan's Sultan Muhammad IV Stadium set to reopen in January". freemalaysiatoday.com. Free Malaysia Today. 12 November 2024.
3. Felda United And Kuala Lumpur Draw Tough Opponents In FA Cup Competition
4. Felda, KL berdepan laluan getir di pusingan kedua
5. azmi. "U-BeS FC rebut Piala FAM musim ini". Archived from the original on 6 March 2016. Retrieved 26 February 2016.
6. "five new teams make it to FAM League". FootballSentral.com. 31 December 2015. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 31 December 2015.
7. Keputusan Penuh Undian Piala FAM, Piala Presiden & Piala Belia 2016
8. Keputusan Penuh Undian Piala FAM, Piala Presiden & Piala Belia 2017
9. MPKB BRI-UBeS FC kekal patuh syariah
10. MPKB-BRI Ubes Fc bawa elemen patuh syariah dalam saingan Piala FAM 2017
11. "KUFC rebranded as Kelantan Darul Naim this season". nst.com.my. NST. 12 March 2024. Retrieved 12 March 2024.
12. "Gangtok Himalayan SC sets up quarterfinal clash with Malaysian club". Gangtok. 13 November 2024. Archived from the original on 18 November 2024. Retrieved 18 November 2024.
13. Gurung, Bijoy (18 November 2024). "GANGTOK HIMALAYAN STUNS MALAYSIAN CLUB, BOOKS SF BERTH". The Sikkim Express. Gangtok. Archived from the original on 18 November 2024. Retrieved 18 November 2024.
14. "Kelantan DN Ubah Nama Kepada Kelantan The Real Warrior". makanbola.com. MakanBola. 10 July 2025.
15. "Irwan Rizal Dilantik CEO Baharu Kelantan DN". makanbola.com. MakanBola. 7 May 2025.
16. "Annuar terima tawaran sebagai Presiden Kelantan-TRW". utusan.com.my. Utusan Malaysia. 15 July 2025.
17. "MPKB-BRI UBES FC Merekodkan Nama Kelab Kedua Terpanjang di Dunia". Archived from the original on 27 March 2019. Retrieved 3 February 2017.
18. "MPKB BRI-UBes FC duta promosi Negeri Kelantan – Ahmad Yakob | Stadium Astro". Archived from the original on 6 February 2017. Retrieved 5 February 2017. MPKB BRI-UBes FC duta promosi Negeri Kelantan – Ahmad Yakob
19. MPKB-BRI UBeS FC perlu bangkit
20. "Kelantan Darul Naim Terima Suntikan Setengah Juta". makanbola.com. MakanBola. 14 March 2024.
21. "PUC Sport taja KDN FC RM600,000". utusan.com.my. Utusan Malaysia. 14 March 2024.
22. "Team detail - Kelantan The Real Warriors FC". fam.org.my. Football Association of Malaysia. Retrieved 19 August 2025.
23. ""Penuhi Hak Pekerja Dalam Islam" – Presiden Kelantan United Didesak Selesaikan Masalah Tunggakan 4 Bulan Gaji". sbwtf.com. SBWTF. 25 December 2023.
24. "Annuar Musa Setuju Dilantik Presiden Kelantan The Real Warriors". sukanz.com. Sukanz. 15 July 2025.

External links

• Official website
• Kelantan The Real Warriors F.C. on Facebook
• Kelantan The Real Warriors F.C. on Instagram