Selangor’s Surendran eyeing a hat-trick of winner’s medals

PETALING JAYA: The Red Giants’ longest serving player D. Surendran is going for a hat-trick of winners’ medals.

The 31-year-old defensive midfielder is gunning for honours in the FA Cup, Super League and Malaysia Cup competitions.

And, having served Selangor so loyally for 13 years now, he has not lost his appetite for glory.

“There is a new challenge every year and I am happy to be associated with a team who have a rich footballing tradition like Selangor,” said Surendran, who is also a dead-ball specialist.

The former national player said he still had a few years of good football left in him and “I want to bow out in style by bagging a hat-tricks of winners’ medals in the FA Cup, Super League and Malaysia Cup competitions”.

“I think it is a unique feat and I am up to the challenge to add to my Malaysian Super League (MSL) medal collection this year.

“It is a tall order but I feel I should be able to complete the hat-trick before I retire,” said Surendran, who already has winners’ medals from the FA Cup (2001, 2005), Super League (2009, 2010) and Malaysia Cup (2002, 2005) competitions.

The FA of Selangor (FAS) have set coach K. Devan a lofty target – win the treble – this season.

Selangor, who have opted out from the AFC Cup competition, failed to get off with a bang when they lost to Kelantan (0-2) in the season-opener Charity Shield match at the Shah Alam Stadium last week.

And their campaign is expected to become even harder following the imminent departure of hotshot Mohd Safee Sali, who is set to join Pelita Jaya FC of Indonesia later this month.

Safee has been on the wanted list of three Indonesian clubs following his strong showing in the Suzuki Cup Asean Football Federation (AFF) Championships.

He scored five goals en route to helping Malaysia emerge champions last December.

The other two Indonesian clubs fighting for Safee’s signature are Balik Papan and Persib Bandung.

But Surendran believes that Selangor can overcome the loss of Safee because “we have a well-balanced side under coach Devan”.