Brendan Gan’s name first popped into the local football scene a few years back while he was playing for Sydney FC in the A-League, with news coming in that a half-Malaysian player was hitting top strides in Australian football. Next thing you know, he was signing for Sabah FA in the Malaysia Super League. That being said, Brendan endured a difficult stint with the Rhinos and eventually left to join the Rockdale City Suns back in Australia. But in 2014, the hardworking midfielder returned to Malaysian football, signing for Kelantan FA. Under the tutelage of head coach George Boateng, Brendan evolved into a pivotal part of the Kelantan squad that finished sixth in the league, made the quarter finals of the Malaysia Cup and semi finals of the FA Cup in 2014. But ahead of the upcoming season, we caught up with him for a quick update on Kelantan and his career thus far.
FO: You made a massive impact on the Kelantan side after hitting your strides last season; a complete turnover from your first stint in Malaysia with Sabah. What was the difference?
BG: I don’t believe I played that differently to how I played when I was first here with Sabah. I feel that to be a successful team, it needs to be a group effort and also needs to have players who want to succeed in every aspect of their footballing career. To be in a team that has won many cups and league titles, there is a winning culture which is very important to have, to allow your personal game to flourish. Kelantan just provided me a canvas in which I could apply my creativity and hard work to.
FO: Some fans were actively championing the fact that you deserved a Suzuki Cup call-up. Were you disappointed or could you see the rationale behind Coach Dollah’s decision?
BG: I believe many players deserved a spot for the Suzuki Cup squad but that was how hard of a job Coach Dollah had in picking a squad. We all have to remember I was only been here for 8 months of the season and I also am learning the language so I have absolutely no disappointments in the decision he made. The team that was selected did a fantastic job under very hard circumstances in the Suzuki Cup so I congratulate them on doing so well. I’m a firm believer in ‘if you continue to work hard and improve whilst staying consistent, then there will be no choice but to be selected in the future’. Until then I will continue to work hard to improve as a footballer and hopefully help Kelantan regain some of the trophies that were so happily sitting in The Red Warriors’ trophy cabinet.
FO: Kelantan have revamped their squad a little bit ahead of the new season, with the likes of Erwin Carillo all joining in. Your thoughts on the new signing? How have they been like in training session?
BG: The squad for this season is very exciting. We have young talents coming through and also the consistent players from previous seasons, with the likes of the foreign players coming in to strengthen the squad. The difference between last season and this season is that we have good depth in the squad with every position being contested by 2 or 3 players. It allows everyone to be competitive in training and make it hard for the coach to pick a starting 11. Training has been great so far, though it was halted a little from the floods, but we are back in our preparation and the boys are looking good with new combinations and pairings starting to form.
FO: Wan Zack missed most of 2014 through injury but he will be back this time around. How important is his presence to the squad? What are the unique benefits that he offers to the team?
BG: Wan Zack is a great player as shown by his stints in the Malaysian national teams and for FC Ryukyu in Japan. I saw him working hard in the gym for the most of last season, trying to get back to full fitness. It was a tough time for him; having to train but not being rewarded by playing games. I can already see things being different this year. He has come back fit and ready to show his talent again. I believe it will be a great season for him and I will do everything I can to help him along the way. His quick feet and dynamic runs into the box is going to cause massive troubles for oppositions this year, he will be a great asset to Kelantan.
FO: Several teams were coming after your signature, particularly Johor DT. But you decided against making a move and reaffirmed your desire to remain in Kota Bharu. What motivated your decision?
BG: Football is not just about seeking big deals. For me, it’s about playing the game I love. I still had another year on my contract at Kelantan and what good is a contract if it is broken whenever you want. Kelantan has given me so much by using its resources to get me to be apart of The Red Warriors and it’s only right if I give back by fulfilling my contract. I have loved the players and also the fans in Kelantan and to give back to them is very satisfying. No one knows what the future has to hold in a football career so staying true to myself and my beliefs is the one thing I can control.
FO: What are Kelantan’s goals for the upcoming season?
BG: It would be silly to go into a season being one of the biggest clubs in the league and not want to win cups. Kelantan has always won cups and that will not change for us this season. I don’t play football to lose and if you do play football not caring about winning or losing then you should not be a professional footballer. The squad this year will be determined to win cups and we will do everything we can to get those back to Kota Bharu.
FO: The Super League is becoming more competitive by the year, but Johor DT visibly head into this one as favourites (with the investments they’ve made). Any other particular team that you would consider as serious title contenders?
BG: The Super League, since I was here in 2012, has grown substantially and will continue to grow, with new coaches and new players being drawn to the league. Creating a winning environment and culture within a team is vital and I believe we have started to do that this season. So other than ourselves as a title contenders, you could see any of the other 11 teams doing very well as every team has recruited very well this year and it doesn’t seem like there is a weak team this year.
FO: Malaysian football has been plagued by various issues in recent times, especially with unpaid salaries. But the empowerment of the Professional Footballers Association of Malaysia (PFAM) seems to be a step in the right direction. How important is PFAM, in your opinion?
BG: PFAM is so important to players these days as we have someone to fight for us with backing of great knowledge and understanding of the FAM and FIFA rulings. I was part of the PFA back in Australia and it would be the most important part of a footballers career with security of contracts and players’ rights. It is a fantastic step for Malaysia as many players do not have the knowledge of contracts and the trouble they can get into by dishonoring their contracts, which is where PFAM comes in to help players have a smooth and trouble-free career.
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