Malaysian footballer
Kogileswaran Raj a/l Mohana Raj (born 21 September 1998), also known by his nickname as Kogi, is a Malaysian professional footballer who plays as an winger or attacking midfielder for Malaysia Super League club Penang and the Malaysia national team.[2][3][4][5]
Club career
Sri Pahang
On 1 January 2016, Kogileswaran signed for a Malaysia Super League side Sri Pahang FC from Harimau Muda C on a free transfer.
Under the management of Dollah Salleh, he made 27 appearances for the club and scored 13 goals for Sri Pahang from 2016 until 2019.
Petaling Jaya City
On 1 January 2020, Kogileswaran joined a fellow Malaysia Super League side Petaling Jaya City. From 2020 until 2022 season, he made 46 appearances for the club and scored 8 goals for Petaling Jaya City.
Chungbuk Cheongju
On 10 January 2023, Kogileswaran signed a one-year contract with K League 2 side Chungbuk Cheongju and became first Malaysian to play in Korean League.[6] On 29 March 2023, he make his debut in the second round of the 2023 Korean FA Cup in the starting line up against K4 League side, Seoul Jungnang which he played for 61 minute.
Penang
On 21 July 2023, Kogileswaran returned to Malaysia to joined Penang.
International career
Youth
In August 2013, Kogi was enlisted in Malaysia U-16 squad for the 2013 AFF U-16 Youth Championship. He made 6 appearances and scored 2 goals for Malaysia U16. Both of the goals scored against Philippines U16. Malaysia ended up being the champion of 2013 AFF U-16 Youth Championship.
From 2013 until 2014, Kogileswaran played for Malaysia U16 squad. Under the management of S. Balachandran, He made 10 appearances and scored 2 goals for Malaysia U16.
From 2015 until 2016, Kogileswaran played for Malaysia U19 squad. Under the management of Frank Bernhardt, he got selected for the squad. In those years, he made 5 appearances and didn't scored any goal for Malaysia U19.
On 23 November 2017, Kogileswaran was enlisted in Malaysia U22's 30-man provisional squad for the 2018 AFC U-23 Championship.[7] On 10 January 2018, he made his first appearance for the Malaysia U23, coming from the bench in the 72nd minute in a 1–4 defeat to Iraq at Changshu Stadium.[8]
In November 2020, Kogileswaran was enlisted in Malaysia U-23 squad for the 2019 Southeast Asian Games. He made 4 appearances and scored 2 goals for Malaysia U23.
One is against Singapore and one against Indonesia. Malaysia U23 ended their campaign on 4th placed in the group stage.
Senior
On 27 March 2018, Kogi made his first Malaysia senior team debut against Lebanon in the 2019 AFC Asian Cup qualification after being subbed on in the 89th minute. He scored his first international goal in the 1–3 win against Cambodia in 2020 AFF Championship group stage. He also scored in the 1–4 loss against Indonesia.
Personal life
He is also the cousin of Titus James Palani, who was a famous football sensation in Malaysia during the early 2000.[9][10]
