'Tak kenal maka tak cinta' (you can’t love what you don’t know), is a proverb that aptly describes midfielder Nooa Laine’s journey during his 9 months with the Red Giants so far.

Making his debut wearing the iconic red and yellow jersey against Kedah Darul Aman FC in the 2024/25 Super League, his impressive performance has quickly established him as one of the key players for Selangor FC this season. With 23 appearances and four assists to his name so far, Nooa's excellent ball control and unique playing style have added new dynamics to the team's midfield, earning him a spot as a regular selection for the national squad under Head Coach Pau Marti.

When asked about his time at Selangor FC, Nooa expressed his gratitude and continued commitment to improving his game. "I am thankful for the continuous trust given by Selangor FC. I will always strive to improve my performance and contribute to the team’s success. As a player, I will keep working hard to enhance my skills and achieve both personal and team goals," he said.

Before wrapping up the conversation, Nooa shared his excitement about playing on the Asian stage. "I’m happy to play alongside talented teammates, and honestly, I’ve learned a lot from them. Playing in the AFC Champions League (ACL Two) has expanded my knowledge and experience as a young player. In this competition, every aspect of the game is scrutinised carefully, and I realise that even small mistakes can have a big impact on the match. This experience motivates me to continue improving my play and ensure I remain focused on every detail to contribute effectively to the team."

Nooa, along with teammate Harith Haiqal, is currently in national team training camp as part of the Malaysia national squad, which is scheduled to play Laos in Bangkok on November 14 and India in Hyderabad on November 18.

When asked about his role with the national team, Nooa shared his happiness every time he receives a national team call-up. "It’s always been a dream for any player to represent their national team, and it’s the same for me. One of the main reasons I joined Selangor FC was to continue improving my quality as a player to prepare myself for the national team. Now, I’m proudly wearing the national team jersey, and I will give my best performance and gain as much experience as possible to bring back valuable knowledge to my club," he added.

As additional information, the player of mixed Malaysian-Finnish descent was initially announced as a loan signing from SJK Seinäjoki on February 9, 2024, with an option to buy. It has now been officially confirmed that he is a permanent member of Gergasi Merah, further strengthening the midfield of Selangor FC.

Selangor FC is thrilled with Nooa Laine's progress with Gergasi Merah, and we are confident that he will continue to contribute to the team as he develops his career in the Malaysian League and ACL2 in the future. Keep shining, Nooa!

Demi kebanggaan!