Kuala lumpur: Immigration FC have been rebranded as Star City FC (SCFC), and hopes are high that they will shine brightly in the new Malaysia Super League season, with the team even targeting a top-three finish. Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail believes that it is a realistic target, judging by their sixth-placed finish in the 2025/2026 Super League season, despite the team having been formed only last season.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, "Last season, we targeted a mid-table finish. But this year, our sights are set on a top-three finish. Last season, the top three teams were Johor Darul Takzim (JDT), Kuching City FC and Selangor FC, respectively. We believe we can get ourselves up there among the top three. What we need to do is to improve our performance to be on par with teams like Kuching City FC and Selangor FC," he said after the Star City FC launch ceremony here today.
He feels that the target is also achievable following the appointment of veteran Australian Mehmet Durakovic as the new head coach, as well as the presence of players who are expected to take the team to a higher level. "We are way better prepared this year. the players are all training here and will undergo training overseas before the season kicks off. Our overseas training will be within the Asian region, which has many good sports facilities and excellent clubs. We have identified the training venue, consider it as the team's preparation location. but the SCFC homeground will still be the Tuanku Syed Putra Stadium in Kangar, Perlis. The reason we chose the northern state is to give football fans there the opportunity to watch matches without having to travel far," he said.
He added that SCFC also plan to form a junior squad to act as a backup to the senior team. SCFC skipper Mohd Rizal Mohd Ghazali was just as upbeat, saying he and his teammates are all aligned with the aspirations of the new head coach, and ready to live up to expectations following the rebranding. "We will do our best to achieve the management's lofty target. As the captain, I will make sure every player is on the same page. We, the players, also have faith in the new head coach, who is vastly experienced and has won many titles with other teams. With his tactical acumen, he can take us to a higher level," he said.
Durakovic, 60, has won five major titles in Malaysian football. He won the Malaysia Cup three consecutive times as a player with Selangor in 1995, 1996 and 1997; and twice as a coach in 2015 (with Selangor) and 2018 (with Perak).