Kamal Azizi Zabri returns to his former stomping ground in Kuala Terengganu today as a Malaysia Cup winner with Kuala Lumpur City just a season and a half after leaving Terengganu with a broken heart.
The Super League clash at the Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin Stadium offers Kamal the chance to rub his winners' medal in the face of the Terengganu officials who showed him the door at the end of the 2020 season, but the 28-year-old right-back has chosen to take the high ground.
"When I left Terengganu, it was a difficult time for me," said Kamal, who did not make a single appearance in the 2020 pandemic-shortened season after scoring three goals in 58 appearances since 2018.
"I never thought I'd have to leave my home state to find success elsewhere. It had always been my dream to win something with Terengganu but that never happened. Instead, I found success with KL and I am grateful for that.
"I will put sentiment aside on Saturday, be professional and play for the badge on my shirt. I will be playing for the club, myself and my family. All that has happened is now history and I look forward to a new chapter.
"As much as I love my home state, my career takes precedence. KL gave me a chance when I was at my lowest and I want to repay them for their faith."
Kamal, who began his career with Kuala Terengganu T-Team in 2014 where he made 58 appearances, will reach a career milestone when he plays in his 100th Super League match and 150th in all competitions today.
"I never imagined I'd reach this milestone," said Kamal. "It has been a tough journey to this point and I hope there is still a long way to go. Winning the Malaysia Cup was the sweetest moment in my career even though I surprised myself by doing that here with KL."
KL coach Bojan Hodak is braced for a hectic few weeks with their AFC Cup campaign beginning the following week followed by a FA Cup meeting with Selangor.
"We played nine matches in 36 days in last year's Malaysia Cup, it's something we cannot change and we are ready for that," said Hodak, whose side are looking for a first away league win over Terengganu in 25 years.
"The players need to be ready to perform.
"We have six days after Terengganu to recover for the AFC Cup, so there should be no issues. We go game-by-game."
Goalkeeper Kevin Mendoza is the last player to rejoin the team from international duty with the Philippines on Thursday but should start with the only long-term injury casualty being midfielder Arif Shaqirin Suhaimi (broken toe).
Aside from defender Azhar Apandi being loaned to M3 League side Immigration, Hodak does not expect to make changes to his side in the mid-season transfer window despite American striker Kyrian Nwabueze, who ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament on his debut last season, rejoining training after an 11-month absence.