PETALING JAYA: A more experienced midfielder David Rowley is raring to go for Pahang in the Super League starting on Feb 24.
The 33-year-old is feeling a different vibe after representing Harimau Malaya for the first time in the AFF Cup last year.
“The opportunity to play for Harimau Malaya last year was a dream come true as I had been waiting for a long time and the experience with the national squad will not be forgotten for sure,” said Rowley, who was born in Brisbane, Australia.
“I feel that the experience has made me a more positive and fearless person on the field, which gives me additional motivation for the 2023 season.
“I will continue to give my best for Pahang and hopefully, be able to retain a place in the national team after this.’’
Outstanding performances throughout the 2022 season where Rowley scored six goals in 22 appearances with Pahang earned the Australian-Malaysian player a call-up for the national team.
While Rowler is fired up to give another good account of himself, he believes that Pahang under the charge of former international Fandi Ahmad, are in for a better season compared to the previous year.
Pahang finished seventh out of 12 teams in the Super League last year.
“The team are more cohesive after several friendly matches as all of us have started to adapt to the tactics implemented by Fandi,” said Rowley.
“I’m so excited with the new players, locals and imports, in the team. They will surely strengthen the team’s challenge as most of them are very experienced.’’
He is especially happy with the presence of strikers Kpah Sherman and Lucas Silva. Liberian-born Sherman joined the Elephants from Terengganu to form a twin strike force with former Penang player Silva.
“I think they are among the best strikers in the Malaysian football league,” he said.
“Fandi is also making many changes to ensure that Pahang will appear more different than before.
“The biggest challenge is always for everyone to gel together before the Super League starts since most are new faces but I believe we are on the right track,” he said.
Apart from Sherman and Silva, Pahang have also signed up Argentinian Stefano Brundo and Australian Michael Glassock in addition to retaining Uzbekistan’s Sherzod Fayziev and German-born Filipino Kevin Ingreso.
Among the local players who will strengthen Pahang’s challenge are Fadhli Shas, Izham Tarmizi, Nur Shamie Iszuan, Syazwan Andik and Azrif Nasrulhaq.
