KUALA LUMPUR: For as long as one can remember, Kuala Lumpur have been a talent production line for Selangor to mine but the flow has reversed in recent seasons.
Many talented KL players, from the likes of Azman Adnan to Safee Sali and Ahmad Hazwan Bakri, have crossed the Klang Valley divide to pull on the red-and-yellow colours of Selangor.
But since 2016, KL have quietly gone about plucking the best young talent Selangor have to offer.
As many six former Selangor youth players could line up for 2017 Premier League champions KL in Sunday's Klang Valley derby in Cheras in the season opening Super League weekend.
Midfielder Zhafri Yahya, 23, said there are no special feelings that the ex-Selangor players harbour against their home state and will be looking to win three points as in any other game.
"I played for the Selangor President's Cup team before coming to KL but I don't have any feelings about playing against them," said Zhafri, who joined KL in 2016 with Hardee Samsuri, Hafiz Johar and Zaiful Hakim initially on loan before signing permanently.
"I played against them before (in the 2016 Malaysia Cup) but I don't really remember the game much. This Sunday's match I think is far more important for me personally and for the team.
"Selangor have moved on since we left and they have their own players now that suits them. So I don't harbour any feelings towards them."
Former Selangor youth striker Ibrahim Syaihul arrived in mid-2016, via Felcra, while winger Afiq Ahmad Razali joined KL's President's Cup squad last year from Selangor before being promoted this season.
Another ex-Selangor player in the city squad is striker Guilherme De Paula, who won the Malaysia Cup with the Red Giants in 2015.
With KL having won just once in 27 meetings with Selangor since 2000, the city team's fans are hoping to finally see the tables turned on their more illustrious rivals.
"This team is well prepared for the Super League with new and experienced players joining," said Zhafri, who has made 51 appearances for KL in three seasons.
"It will be my first experience of playing in the Super League and I am really excited to get this chance.
"It has been my dream and I hope I can play well. Selangor too I believe are ready for the start of the season and this game will a good challenge for us."