JDT’s Safawi receives Portugal offer

Since joining the Southern Tigers, Safawi has won 3 Super League titles, 2 Malaysia Cup crowns and 1 FA Cup

JOHOR Darul Ta’zim’s (JDT) Muhammad Safawi Rasid could be the next Malaysian footballer to play in the European league as he has received an offer from Portugal’s top-tier outfit Portimonense SC.

JDT sporting director Martin Prest confirmed that the Southern Tigers received the offer from the Portuguese Primeira Liga side for the prolific Dungun-born striker.

“The club believes the offer is good for both JDT and Safawi, and thus we are willing to let Safawi further his career in Europe.

“We are unable to reveal details of the offer as final negotiations are still ongoing,” he said in a posting on the club’s official Facebook page, Johor Southern Tigers.

Since leaving T-Team (now known as Terengganu FC II) to join JDT in 2017, the 23-year-old Safawi — who can play as a winger or centre forward — has been instrumental in JDT’s success in clinching consecutive Super League titles and promising display in the AFC Champions League.

Safawi, a regular in Tan Cheng Hoe’s national squad and Under-23 (U-23) national team, is expected to join the Portuguese club after concluding the 2020 season.

Just about two weeks ago, national U-19 footballer Luqman Hakim Shamsudin joined Belgian top-tier side KV Kortrijk.

Former national U-23 head coach Datuk Ong Kim Swee expressed his agreement to the proposal from the Portuguese side, saying that the JDT and national winger deserves to play in a major European league.

Ong said Safawi — who was named the Most Valuable Player at the 2018 and 2019 National Football Awards — has the standard required to play in Europe and the ability to develop his talent to a higher level.

The former national U-23 head coach opined that Safawi’s vast experience on the international stage and his individual skills will help him overcome all the challenges and pressures of competing abroad, and make a name for himself in Europe.

“Previously, he had been linked with several offers from abroad and indeed he deserves it. With the extensive experience he has had with JDT and the national squad at the international level, he is prepared for new challenges.

“He has the ability to compete with anyone because of his confidence and his never-say-die attitude. We know that he is among the best in Asia in terms of technique and physical ability, so there is no question about his capability,” Ong told Bernama.

Ong, who currently heads the Football Association of Malaysia Youth Development Unit, also does not expect cultural and environmental changes to be an issue for Safawi there.

“Every player needs time to adjust to a new place and, of course, there are significant cultural differences between our country and Europe, but with his experience and confidence it should not be a problem for him.

“I believe JDT also wants only the best for Safawi, having been responsible for moulding him to become one of the best players in the country,” he said.

Ong, who described the offer received by Safawi as a proof that local talents are now gaining world attention, hopes that it would pave the way for more young players in the country to play abroad.

Since joining JDT from the T-Team in December 2016, Safawi has won three Super League titles, two Malaysia Cup crowns and one FA Cup.

Safawi also set an excellent record with JDT in 2019, scoring 20 goals and recording 10 assists throughout the 3,088 minutes he featured in 37 appearances.

Safawi is also a key player in Harimau Malaya squad, which is currently seeking to book an automatic slot to the final round of the 2023 Asian Cup.

He scored both the goals in Malaysia’s 2-1 win over South Korea in a group match at the 2018 Jakarta-Palembang Asian Games.

It was Malaysia’s first victory over the Koreans in 44 years. — Bernama