Shopee Cup Team Profile: Kuala Lumpur City FC

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Shopee Cup Team Profile: Kuala Lumpur City FC

12 Aug 2024

One of two Malaysian sides to feature in the ASEAN Club Championship Shopee Cup™, Kuala Lumpur City FC have enjoyed considerable success in recent years.

Despite the dominance of Johor Darul Ta’zim in Malaysia over the past decade, KL City have still managed to pick up silverware and will see the Shopee Cup as another chance to achieve glory.

Honours

Malaysian First Division (2): 1988, 1986 

Malaysia Cup (4): 2021, 1989, 1988, 1987 

Malaysia FA Cup (3): 1999, 1994, 1993

Club highlights

Following promotion from the second tier in 2020, KL City produced one of the most famous results in their history as goals from Zhafri Yahya and Paulo Josue saw them beat JDT 2-0 in the final to lift the Malaysia Cup for the first time since 1989.

And in a good omen ahead of the Shopee Cup, they have become knockout tournament specialists in recent years, memorably advancing to the AFC Cup final in 2022 and reaching the Malaysia FA Cup final in 2023.

Head coach: Miroslav Kuljanac

Having previously been the assistant coach to Bojan Hodak and Nenad Bacina, Miroslav Kuljanac stepped into the hot seat ahead of the 2024 campaign as he aims to build on the foundations laid by his countrymen in recent seasons. The 54-year-old previously managed in Croatia’s second tier, with his appointment at KL City his first head coach role in Asia.

Key player: Paulo Josue

At 35, Paulo Josue continues to be a shining light for The City Boys. Having been at the club since 2017, Josue has played a key role in two promotions, the Malaysia Cup success and the run to the AFC Cup final. A Malaysia international since debuting in 2023, he is both a scorer and a creator with his finishing, vision and distribution among his many impressive attributes. The club captain recently equalled Fandi Ahmad as KL City's all-time top scorer, further cementing his status as a club legend.

One to watch: Haqimi Azim

One of Malaysia’s rising stars, 21-year-old Haqimi Azim made a scoring debut for the senior Harimau Malaya side at the 2022 Mitsubishi Electric Cup. The winger, who also plays as a Number 9, possesses pace, strength, dribbling and finishing ability which – in addition to his height at set-pieces – are all likely to pose a threat to the opposition.

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