Safawi urges Kuching City to capitalise on Shopee Cup chances
The Malaysian club drew their opening match 2-2 and will host Indonesia’s Borneo FC Samarinda in December.
Kuching City FC forward Safawi Rasid says taking chances and preparing collectively will be crucial to the club’s first ASEAN Club Championship Shopee Cup campaign. The Sarawak side began their Group A schedule with a 2-2 draw against Tampines Rovers FC in October.
Safawi, 29, brings experience from the tournament’s inaugural 2024/25 edition, when he scored five goals across five group matches for Terengganu FC. He said Kuching City appeared stronger as a team and that he hoped to draw on his previous campaign to help them progress.
A runner-up finish in the Malaysia Super League last season earned Kuching City their place in the competition. They have no fixture in the November 18 round and next host Indonesia’s Borneo FC Samarinda in December.
The tournament’s third edition introduces quarter-finals, with four teams advancing from each group of seven. Kuching City’s group includes defending champions Buriram United FC and Ratchaburi FC, where Safawi spent the 2022/23 season on loan.
Safawi said the squad needed to concentrate on tactics, formation and preparation rather than rely on individuals. The forward, who joined on a season-long loan from Malaysian champions Johor Darul Ta’zim FC, also said the support of Kuching City’s fans had helped attract him to the club.
