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* Mat Yo will make his Terengganu debut against Felda United on April 18

* He is an asset to the team – coach Abdul Rahman

* Terengganu fans delighted that Besut-born Norshahrul is returning to his roots

Terengganu-born Norshahrul Idlan Talaha is finally returning to his homestate after the football nomad signed a deal with the Turtles at Hotel Tabung Haji in Kuala Terengganu on Thursday on a “free transfer” from Armed Forces – the club he joined from Johor Darul Takzim this season.

In a surprise turn of events during the April transfer window national striker Norshahrul shocked the football fraternity by asking for a release to join Terengganu for the rest of the season and cited “personal problems” for the move although there is much talk about late payment of salary which Armed.

It was for money Norshahrul – popularly known as ‘Mat Yo’ – he quit JDT when the Southern Tigers could not meet his excessive demand for a pay rise. News report have stated that Norshahrul is taking a pay cut by moving to Terengganu. If it is true than it is only appropriate he takes a pay cut because he failed to deliver with JDT and failed to deliver despite counting the big bucks apart from the hefty bonuses he used to get with JDT.

Norshahrul is lucky that Armed Forces . It was no different with Armed Forces.

Hopefully Norshahrul will deliver with Terengganu to earn his pay instead of just counting the big bucks.

Terengganu coach Abdul Rahman Ibrahim, however, is pleased with the new addition to the team and counting on Norshahrul to plug Terengganu’s fluctuating fortunes in the league as well as the FA Cup. The East Coast hopefuls are sixth in the league with 11 points on goal difference – same as second-placed Perak, Selangor (third), JDT (fourth) and fifth-placed Felda United.

Perak held Terengganu to a 1-1 draw in Kuala Terengganu in the first-leg FA Cup quarter-final match and the return-leg will be played in Ipoh on April 21.

What is in store for the Turtles in Ipoh? Terengganu will get an inkling of the FA Cup return-leg when Perak host Terengganu in a Super League match at the Perak Stadium tomorrow (Saturday). However, Perak will not see the “Norshahrul show” as Mat Yo will not feature in the league encounter.

“Norshahrul will only make his Terengganu debut against Felda United (on April 18). The league match (against Perak) is a tough one. Perak are a young and energetic side. At least we know what to expect from Perak,” said Abdul Rahman from Kuala Terengganu before leaving with the team for Ipoh.   

“Norshahrul is a real surprise. To have him in the team is a big boost to our M-League campaign. He is vastly experienced and gives me the options to try out different options upfront. He is an asset,” added Abdul Rahman, adding that he does not know the actual reasons for Norshahrul’s move to his homestate.

“I was told Mat Yo’s move is for personal reasons…there could be other reasons but I am not aware of all that. He and Paulo Rangel will provide the boost to our attacks together with Gustavo Lopez.”

The home fans are delighted that Norshahrul, who was born in Besut, is finally returning to his roots.

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