Experienced Mat Zan Mat Aris, who signed a two-year contract as head coach of AirAsia Allstars FC, wants to take the team to the Premier League in 2018.

Mat Zan,58, who arrived after a fine stint as head coach of Melaka United was confident the goal could be met if the 'Red Jets' could maintain their performance.

"My goal is to take AirAsia Allstars to the Premier League in 2018. This team may comprise of ordinary players but they have strong fighting spirit.

"I will call up players who have the criteria for an open selection," he told Bernama, here Saturday.

Under head coach P. Maniam, AirAsia Allstars made the semi-final of the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) league competition this season.

AirAsia Allstars lost 1-2 on aggregate to MISC-MIFA who later emerged as champions of the FAM league.

Melaka United sensationally dropped Mat Zan as head coach for 2017 citing the need for a more experienced head coach to steer the team in the Super League challenge next year.

The decision left Mat Zan a bitter man since it was he who helped Melaka United to promotion to the Premier League in 2015.

The proven coach then helped Melaka United to another promotion, this time to the Super League in 2017. --BERNAMA