Singapore international, Baihakki Khaizan has rejoined LionsXII in the wake of being dropped from the Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT) team a month ago.
Baihakki joined JDT this season and began everything except one of the 10 Super League matches for JDT throughout his time there.
Aidil Zafuan began as his accomplice in defence before a switch to Fadhli Shas after the introductory association didn't work out the way it was expected to.
When talking about the retraction of Baihakki's contract a month ago, the President of the Johor Football Association, Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim (TMJ) said that Baihakki is a great defender.
He pointed out that JDT required somebody with more international experience to go up against outside strikers.
In a meeting with Across The Line, Baihakki iterated that he did not harbour any ill feelings towards his removal from the club.
“Being removed from the set up is part and parcel of football; there are no hard feelings whatsoever.
In fact, (Tunku Ismail) has been very kind and understanding of the situation I am in.
The move to terminate my contract was based on mutual understanding, and joining the LionsXII will allow me to work towards winning a place in the year-end AFF Suzuki Cup with the Singapore national team,” Baihakki said.
Baihakki left all needed signatures to re-join LionsXII on a 7-month bargain however has a condition in the agreement which stipulates that he can't play against JDT in any match for the whole 2014 season.
A circumstance which puts him out of dispute for the match between the two teams on the 20th of May 2014.
Despite the fact that his contract with JDT was ended, it appears that the plan to have Baihakki joining JDT II side, is still on the works. With JDT II being in the second tier of Malaysian football, Baihakki is required to take a huge pay slice to empower him to join the group.
Of which, the core of playing with JDT II is resolute that cash is not the primary necessity for him.
“Yes it’s a massive pay cut. But at this stage of my career, I feel that there are more important things than just money. If I don’t play regularly in the build-up to the main tournament (Suzuki Cup 2014) come end of the year, I could lose out even more in football terms – and maybe in other terms as well, in the future,” Baihakki concluded.
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