Safri Amit draws on Sarawak's experience of acting on the Asian stage

KUCHING, 16 Sep: Sarawak football legend Safri Amit recalls the experience of Sarawak's squad performing on the Asian stage in 1999, including against Japanese giant Kashima Antlers.

According to Safri, Sarawak then faced Kashima Antlers in the quarter-finals of the Asian Cup Winners' Cup, which at that time was amongst Asia's major club competitions before the continental club competition structure went through several changes.

He said the meeting with the Japanese club was one of the important experiences for Sarawak squad, especially when they had the opportunity to play in Japan against a team that has a strong reputation in Asian football.

"In 1999, Sarawak met Kashima Antlers for the AFC competition. He has also played on the AFC stage against a Japanese team and so far they are among the best teams in Japan", he said via Facebook.

In a replay at the time, Sarawak lost 2-4 to Kashima Antlers in Kuching before suffering an 0-10 defeat in the second leg in Japan.

Sarawak's squad at the time featured local players, including two under-21s, while Kashima Antlers had several internationally experienced players and were coached by former Brazilian star Zico.

More than two decades after the experience, the Asian stage once again became a venue for representing Sarawak when Kuching City FC brought the state's challenge to AFC Champions League Two (ACL2).

Kuching City FC is scheduled to open the ACL2 campaign against Phnom Penh Crown on Thursday, with the action scheduled to take place at 8.15pm (Malay time).