by Farah Azharie
KUALA LUMPUR: Safawi Rasid, who won Malaysia’s Most Valuable Player award last year, has drawn interest from clubs in Japan and South Korea.
This came after his stellar performances at last year’s Asian Games, Asian Under-23 Championship qualifiers in March and for Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) in the AFC Champions League and Super League.
According to Action Football Asia (M) Sdn Bhd founder, Effendi Jagan Abdullah, another reason that a Japanese division one team is interested in Safawi is because of his age.
“At 22, he’s still young and has the potential to go far, which is why some clubs in Japan have asked me. But I had a word with JDT and I don’t think they will let him go at the moment,” said Effendi.
“He’s playing well for them and he’s an integral part of the team.”
Meanwhile, I One Sports Agency sports director, Syed Qamarul Firdaus Samat said he had enquiries from a Korean League team.
“They asked about Safawi and it’s a good club. They recently announced an opening for Asean quota, so that should fit in nicely,” said Syed Qamarul, who disclosed that the team are also interested in Malaysia’s first naturalised player, Gambia-born Mohamadou Sumareh.
“Safawi scored two goals against South Korea at the Asian Games and that impressed the Korean club but for me, JDT are already one of the best clubs in Asia (facilities and vision wise). So, I don’t see Safawi leaving.”
Effendi also named Pahang captain Matthew Davies, Terengganu’s Lee Tuck (England) as well as PKNS’ Romel Morales (Colombia) as those sought by football agents for foreign clubs.