Important mission: Luciano Guaycochea (centre) is expected to play a key role in the Super League as he can unlock defences with his incisive passing and excellent ball distribution.
PETALING JAYA: Perak’s Argentine playmaker Luciano Guaycochea’s stock has just risen – well, kind of.
The 30-year-old has proudly revealed that he is a cousin of Alexis Mac Allister, one of Argentina’s impressive players in their World Cup win in Qatar recently.
And Guaycochea was one of millions of Argentines who were on cloud nine on Dec 18 after watching his country beat France 4-2 on penalties after a 3-3 draw in a final hailed as one of the best in the tournament’s history.
The 24-year-old Mac Allister, who plies his trade for Brighton in the English Premier League, also provided the assist for Angel Di Maria to score Argentina’s second goal.Guaycochea could only wish he was in Doha that night to celebrate with Mac Allister.
“It was an amazing final and I had wanted to go to Doha to support him and also be with some of my family members.
“But I had to stay in Ipoh to focus on my recovery and prepare for the new season with Perak,” said Guaycochea.
“Alexis is one of the best players in the Argentina team. He is also playing in the world’s top league, the EPL. I’m so happy for him and I’ve congratulated him.
“He’s still a simple guy even though he’s playing at the highest level.”
Guaycochea joined Perak last season during the May transfer window and has been retained for the 2023 season by coach Lim Teong Kim.
He is expected to play a key role in the Super League as he will be the man to unlock defences with his incisive passing and excellent ball distribution.Guaycochea added that he is impressed with Teong Kim’s professionalism and mentality, and believes he can take the team far.
“Under his system, it doesn’t matter if you’re a striker, playmaker, midfielder or winger – everyone needs to press high and support each other,’’ he said.
“But for us to play that kind of game, our fitness has to be at a high level. That’s why we’re putting in the hours during training. Sometimes, we train twice a day.’’
