Joseph Kalang Tie named Kuching City U-18 head coach

KUCHING (April 7): Joseph Kalang Tie has been appointed Under-18 head coach of Kuching City FC, the club confirmed in a posting on its Facebook page today.

The former Sarawak football star will take charge of the youth squad for the upcoming Piala Belia 2026 campaign, marking a significant step in his coaching journey following his retirement from professional football in April 2024.

Widely known by his initials JKT, Joseph enjoyed a distinguished playing career spanning nearly two decades, earning recognition as one of Sarawak’s finest footballers.

Primarily operating as an attacking midfielder or winger, he was known for his technical ability, vision and passing range.

He began his professional career with Sarawak FA in 2006 and notably became the youngest captain in the team’s history at the age of 21.

Over the years, he also featured for several top Malaysian clubs, including Pahang, Selangor, and Terengganu, where he was famously dubbed ‘Messi Terengganu’ by supporters.

Joseph later returned to Sarawak to play for Kuching City FC, where he spent the final phase of his career from 2019 to 2024, playing a key role in the club’s rise from the M3 League to the Super League.

He also earned caps with the Malaysia national football team, scoring two international goals.

Following his retirement, Joseph transitioned into coaching and youth development, quickly taking up a role as assistant coach within Kuching City’s youth setup.

He has since been actively involved in nurturing young talents and advocating for improvements in Sarawak’s youth football structure.

Among his contributions are helping facilitate the progression of youth players into the senior squad and promoting greater competitive exposure for developing footballers, including involvement in grassroots tournaments such as the Petronas Youth Football Closed Tournament.

Joseph has also been vocal on the need for a more structured and competitive youth league system, stressing that consistent match experience is crucial for player development.

His appointment as Under-18 head coach is seen as a natural progression, with the club entrusting him to guide the next generation of players in one of Malaysia’s premier youth competitions.