2023 Kuala Lumpur City F.C. season

Kuala Lumpur City
2023 season
PresidentShahidan Kassim
CEOStanley Bernard
ManagerNenad Baćina
StadiumKuala Lumpur Stadium
Malaysia Super League7th
Malaysia FA CupRunner-up
Malaysia CupSemi-finals
Top goalscorerLeague:
Paulo Josué (11)

All:
Romel Morales (14)
Average home league attendance1,764

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.

Management team

Position Name
Manager/Head coach Bojan Hodak (until 26 August 2023)
Nenad Bacina (from 4 August 2023)
Assistant head coach Miroslav Kuljanac
Assistant coach Miro Petric
Shukor Adan
Goalkeeper coach Guilherme Azevedo
Fitness coach Afeeq Aqmal
Team doctor Adzlan Amin
Hannan Haziq
Physiotherapist Afiqfuddin Salleh
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. Nation Player
1 GK  PHI Kevin Ray Mendoza S
3 DF  MAS Muhammad Faudzi
4 DF  MAS Kamal Azizi
5 DF  CRO Matko Zirdum I
6 DF  MAS Ryan Lambert
7 MF  COL Romel Morales I
8 MF  MAS Zhafri Yahya
9 DF  AUS Giancarlo Gallifuoco A
12 DF  MAS Declan Lambert
14 MF  MAS Akram Mahinan
15 DF  MAS Khair Jones
16 MF  MAS Partiban Janasekaran
17 MF  MAS Sean Giannelli
19 MF  ITA Sebastian Avanzini I
No. Pos. Nation Player
20 GK  MAS Azim Al-Amin U23
21 MF  MAS Kenny Pallraj
23 FW  CIV Kipré Tchétché I
25 DF  MAS Anwar Ibrahim
26 MF  MAS Saravanan Thirumurugan U23
28 MF  BRA Paulo Josué (captain)
30 GK  MAS Azri Ghani
33 FW  MAS Juzaerul Jasmi U23
37 FW  MAS Haqimi Azim Rosli U20
41 MF  MAS Firdaus Saiyadi (on loan from Perak)
48 FW  MAS Faizal Hafiq
49 MF  MAS Hadi Mizei
77 DF  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. Nation Player
29 MF  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. Nation Player
FW  BRA Caion (from Selangor)[2]
FW  CIV Kipré Tchétché (from Terengganu)[3]
DF  CRO Matko Zirdum (from Slaven Belupo)[4]
FW  PHI Patrick Reichelt (from PT Prachuap)[5]
MF  MAS Firdaus Saiyadi (on loan from Perak)
MF  ITA Sebastian Avanzini (from Hobro)[6]
DF  MAS Nazirul Naim (from Sabah)
FW  MAS Sean Giannelli (from Sri Pahang)
MF  MAS Saravanan Thirumurugan (from Selangor II)
FW  MAS Juzaerul Jasmi
DF  MAS Khair Jones (from Negeri Sembilan)
FW  MAS Faizal Hafiq
MF  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. Nation Player
FW  GHA Jordan Mintah (loan return to Terengganu)
FW  CGO Kévin Koubemba (to Chornomorets Odesa)
MF  MAS Hadin Azman (to Penang)[7]
DF  MAS Irfan Zakaria (to Sabah)[8]
DF  MAS Nik Shahrul
DF  MAS Nik Umar
MF  MAS Fakrul Aiman
FW  MAS Safee Sali (retired)
DF  MAS Azhar Apandi
MF  MAS Izreen Izwandy
MF  MAS Arif Shaqirin (loan to Perak)
DF  MAS Nabil Hakim
MF  MAS Ridhwan Nazri

Pre-season and friendlies

  Win   Draw   Loss   Fixtures

29 January 2023 Friendly Kuala Lumpur City 0–0 Terengganu Cheras
20:30 MYT (UTC+8) Stadium: Kuala Lumpur Stadium
31 January 2023 Friendly Kuala Lumpur City 0–0 Kelantan United Cheras
20:30 MYT (UTC+8) Stadium: Kuala Lumpur Stadium
4 February 2023 Friendly Kuala Lumpur City 3–0 Perak Cheras
21:00 MYT (UTC+8)
  • Caion 33' (pen.)
  • Paulo Josué 52'
  • Gallifuoco 74'
Stadium: Kuala Lumpur Stadium
14 February 2023 Friendly Kuala Lumpur City 1–1 Negeri Sembilan Cheras
20:30 MYT (UTC+8) Stadium: Kuala Lumpur Stadium

Competitions

Malaysia Super League

25 February 2023 1 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 2023 2 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 2023 3 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 2023 4 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 2023 5 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 2023 6 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 2023 7 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 2023 8 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 2023 9 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 2023 10 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 2023 4 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 2023 11 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 2023 12 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 2023 13 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 2023 14 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 2023 15 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 2023 16 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 2023 17 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 2023 18 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 2023 19 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 2023 20 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 2023 21 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 2023 22 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 2023 23 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 2023 24 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 2023 25 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 2023 26 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

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification or relegation
5 Sri Pahang 26 13 6 7 44 33 +11 45
6 Terengganu 26 11 7 8 45 34 +11 40 Qualification for the AFF Shopee Cup group stage[a]
7 Kuala Lumpur City 26 10 8 8 44 39 +5 38
8 PDRM 26 11 4 11 35 37 −2 37
9 Negeri Sembilan 26 6 9 11 33 49 −16 27
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 2023 Round 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 2023 Quarter-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 2023 Semi-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 2023 Final 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 2023 1st 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 2023 2nd 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 2023 1st 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 2023 2nd 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 2023 1st 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 2023 2nd 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. Pos Nat Player Total League FA Cup Malaysia Cup
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Goalkeepers
1 GK  PHI Kevin Ray Mendoza 16 0 10 0 1 0 5 0
20 GK  MAS Azim Al-Amin 6 0 3 0 3 0 0 0
30 GK  MAS Azri Ghani 14 0 13 0 0 0 1 0
Defenders
3 DF  MAS Muhammad Faudzi 9 0 2+5 0 0 0 1+1 0
4 DF  MAS Kamal Azizi 35 0 25+1 0 3 0 6 0
5 DF  CRO Matko Zirdum 22 2 13+1 2 3 0 5 0
9 DF  AUS Giancarlo Gallifuoco 30 1 21 1 3+1 0 5 0
12 DF  MAS Declan Lambert 29 1 21 1 3 0 4+1 0
15 DF  MAS Khair Jones 5 0 0+4 0 0 0 0+1 0
19 DF  ITA Sebastian Avanzini 31 2 20+2 2 4 0 4+1 0
25 DF  MAS Anwar Ibrahim 11 0 3+4 0 1+1 0 0+2 0
77 DF  MAS Nazirul Naim 26 0 8+9 0 2+1 0 2+4 0
Midfielders
6 MF  MAS Ryan Lambert 30 0 21+1 0 3+1 0 3+1 0
7 MF  COL Romel Morales 29 14 16+4 8 2+2 2 4+1 4
8 MF  MAS Zhafri Yahya 28 3 17+4 2 3 0 4 1
14 MF  MAS Akram Mahinan 21 0 5+8 0 0+2 0 4+2 0
16 MF  MAS Partiban 5 2 0+5 1 0 0+1 0 0
17 MF  MAS Sean Giannelli 21 3 5+10 3 1+1 0 1+3 0
21 MF  MAS Kenny Pallraj 24 0 15+4 0 1+1 0 2+1 0
26 MF  MAS Saravanan Thirumurugan 30 4 16+5 2 4 2 3+2 0
28 MF  BRA Paulo Josué 31 11 21+3 11 3 0 4 0
29 MF  MAS Arif Shaqirin 3 1 0+1 1 0 0 0+2 0
41 MF  MAS Firdaus Saiyadi 5 0 0+3 0 1+1 0 0 0
49 MF  MAS Hadi Mizei 2 0 0+1 0 0 0 0+1 0
Forwards
10 FW  BRA Caion 16 1 7+7 1 1+1 0 0 0
11 FW  PHI Patrick Reichelt 15 0 6+5 0 1+1 0 1+1 0
23 FW  CIV Kipré Tchétché 30 11 14+9 8 1+1 0 4+1 3
37 FW  MAS Haqimi Azim 23 1 3+13 1 0+3 0 3+1 0
50 FW  MAS Sachin Samuel 1 0 0+1 0 0 0 0 0
51 FW  MAS Suhaimi Abu 2 0 1+1 0 0 0 0 0
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. Nation Player
1 GK  MAS Julian Bechler
20 GK  MAS Azim Al Amin
24 DF  MAS Khairul Naim Zainal Abidin
26 MF  MAS Saravanan Thirumurugan
32 DF  MAS Nashran Elias
33 DF  MAS Juzaerul Jasmi (captain)
34 MF  MAS Amirul Aiman
35 MF  MAS Adib Faris
42 DF  MAS Nadzwin Salleh
46 MF  MAS Izreen Izwandy
47 DF  MAS Faris Zabri
48 FW  MAS Faizal Hafiq
49 MF  MAS Hadi Mizei @ Termizi
No. Pos. Nation Player
50 GK  MAS Haziq Fitri
55 GK  MAS Syafiq Sabaruddin
60 MF  MAS Sachin Samuel
65 DF  MAS Syahkhir Razali
69 FW  MAS Suhaimi Abu
70 DF  MAS Loquman Syadiq
71 MF  MAS Azim Nadim
80 FW  MAS Alif Safwan
87 MF  MAS Amreel Iqbal
88 MF  MAS Ridhwan Nazri
96 MF  MAS Amirul Zul Aiman
99 FW  MAS Wan Syamil Sulaiman

Coaching staff

MFL Cup

3 March 2023 1 Kuala Lumpur City Extension 1—0 Kelantan Cheras
20:15 MYT (UTC+8)
  • Faizal Hafiq 76'
Report Stadium: Kuala Lumpur Stadium
Attendance: 187
Referee: Muhammad Latiffi Mohd Zahrom
11 March 2023 2 Selangor II 0—1 Kuala Lumpur City Extension Shah Alam
Report Stadium: UiTM Stadium

Appearances and goals

As of 3 March 2023
Player Position Appearances Goals
Kuala Lumpur City Extension
Azim Al Amin GK 1 0
Nashran Elias DF 1 0
Juzaerul Jasmi DF 1 0
Amirul Aiman MF 1 0
Faris Zabri DF 1 0
Faizal Hafiq FW 1 1
Hadi Mizei @ Termizi MF 1 0
Sachin Samuel MF 1 0
Suhaimi Abu FW 1 0
Loquman Syadiq DF 1 0
Alif Safwan FW 1 0
Khairul Naim DF 1 0
Izreen Izwandy MF 1 0
Azim Nadim MF 1 0
Amirul Zul Aiman MF 1 0
Own goals 0
Total goals 1

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.