Malaysia Super League Team of the Week Match Day 4

MSL Team of the Week 4

Super-sub Ramzul end Pahang winning streak

Dollah Salleh's master-plan to stage another comeback win came unstuck when a quick header from super-sub Ramzul Zahini Adenan condemned Pahang to the first defeat of the season

Selangor were leading 2-0 up comfortably in the first half courtesy from Amri Yahyah 's sublime goal in the 3rd minute and a simple tap-in in 20th minute. It seems to be another easy task for Irfan Bakti to seal another victory as the home side begin to slow down the tempo of the game, which might have cost them severely. Pahang narrow down the goal difference to one as Fauzi Roslan slotted in a simple header in 24th minute. 

The match were not short of controversy though, as Pahang were awarded a penalty kick while the replay suggested that only a slight touch between the two player involved. Razman Roslan did not have any troubled to score from the spot-kick as he send Sharbinee Allawee in the wrong way to make it 2-2. Another controversy ensued, this time from Selangor striker, Francis Forkey Doe where he had been pushed down by Pahang's defender and claimed for a penalty in which replay shows Forkey Doe's claim is correct. Instead, the referee brandished him a yellow card for diving in the penalty area. 

Both sets of team worked hard to find the winner, but just couldn't do so, as the play were frequently stopped by a series of fouls that may potentially damage their chance to score. With the game nearing at the end, Irfan Bakti brought in substitute former Kelantan striker Ramzul Zahini Adenan and within minutes he scored from the cross that quickly met his head into the back of the net passed Nasril Nourdin in the 80th minute. Pahang tried everything they could to equalise late in the game but the scoreline standstill until the final whistle. Pahang still stay top of the table despite the defeat while Selangor moved up to second following the win. Pahang will welcome neighbours Terengganu at Kuantan while Selangor will visit local rivals Perak in January 22nd.

Johor Darul Takzim 2-2 ATM

Honours even at Larkin as the match between mega bucks Johor and former galacticos ATM ended in a thrilling encounter with the goals all scored in the first half.

ATM have an early lead in the 7th minute through Amiridzwan Taj. Johor equalised through Dani Guiza in the 11th minute. ATM leading for the second time, this time from Irwan Fadhli Idrus free-kick in the 39th minute. But the home side managed to level again in the matter of a minute through Norshahrul Idlan Talaha in the 40th minute.

Both sides keen to grab all three points but just couldn't find the winner in the second half with Fitri Omar's sending off didn't really help ATM either as the match finished in a 2-2 draw.

ATM will welcome Felda United at Paroi whereas Johor DT will visit high-flying PKNS at Shah Alam on 22nd January.

Malaysia Super League Team of the Week Match Day 3

MSL Team of the Week 3

Malaysia Super League 2013 Team of the Week Match Day 2

Malaysia Super League Team of the Week (Match Day 1)

MSL Team of the Week Match Day 1

Pahang 3-2 Johor Darul Takzim

Pahang were 2-0 down to Johor at half-time after goals from Safiq Rahim and Norshahrul Idlan Talaha but a brace from Fauzi Roslan and a winning goal from R. Surendran completed one of the greatest comeback against mega-rich Johor in the first match of the season 

Man of the Match: Fauzi Roslan

T-Team Malaysia Super League Watch

T-Team to be better than Terengganu?

Key Player: George Boateng, Caleb Folan, G. Mahathevan, Marzuki Yusof, Mazlizam Mohamad

Young Talented Player: G. Mahathevan

2012 season: Finished 8th in Malaysia Super League

Team Status Chances: Bottom half finish

Terengganu Malaysia Super League Watch

Terengganu to refresh from last season setback?

Key Player: Jean-Emmanuel Effa Owona, Ashaari Shamsuddin, Manaf Mamat, Ismail Faruqi, Zubir Azmi, Rosdi Talib, Faizal Muhammad

Young Talented Player: Zubir Azmi, Faizal Muhammad

2012 season: Finished 5th in Malaysia Super League

Team Status Chances: Top half finish

Selangor Malaysia Super League Watch

Selangor set to end their trophy drought?

Key Player: Francis Forkey Doe, Asrarudin Putra, Ramez Dayoub, Nasriq Baharom, K. Soley, Bunyamin Omar, K. Gurusamy, S. Kunanlan, Amri Yahyah, Norazlan Razali

Young Talented Player: Shukor Jusoh, Afiq Azmi, K. Gurusamy, Mahalli Jasuli

2012 season: Finished 3rd in Malaysia Super League

Team Status Chances: Title candidate

PKNS Malaysia Super League Watch

Can PKNS surprise everyone again?

Key Player: Patrick Ronaldinho Wleh, Helmi Remeli

Young Talented Player: None

2012 season: Finished 7th in Malaysia Super League

Team Status Chances: Mid-table finish

Perak Malaysia Super League Watch

Can Perak end their mid-table obscurity?

Key Player: Shahrom Abdul Kalam, Shahrulnizam Mustapa, Abdul Hadi Yahya, Yong Kuong Yong, S. Chanturu, Farizal Marlias

Young Talented Player: None

2012 season: Finished 4th in Malaysia Super League

Team Status Chances: Top half finish

Pahang Malaysia Super League Watch

Can Pahang save themselves from relegated once again?

Key Player: Azamuddin Akil, Jalaluddin Jaafar, Amirul Hadi Zainal, R. Surendran, Azidan Sarudin, Razman Roslan, Nasril Nourdin, Zaiza Zainal Abidin

Young Talented Player: R. Gopinathan

2012 season: Finished 2nd in Malaysia Premier League (Promoted to Malaysia Super League via Play-off winner)

Team Status Chances: Relegation candidate

Negeri Sembilan Malaysia Super League Watch

Will Negeri Sembilan finally challenge for the top spot?

One of the team that troubled all of their opponents in the early 2012 season when Jean-Emmanuel Effa Owona introduced himself to Malaysian fans with two goals against Kelantan that eventually secured 2012 Charity Shield title, the first in 27 years. Since then, there were high expectations that Negeri Sembilan might challenge for the top spot in the Super League and possibly winning it gloriously. But a sudden downturn in form and performances of the team, a shock FA Cup first round exit to Johor FC and were not able to retain Malaysia Cup after losing to the eventual finalist ATM in quarter-final round. While Effa Owona banging on goals for fun, he made the headlines for a wrong reason as well, after a series of controversies surrounding the temperamental Cameroonian striker. Its difficult to assess how Negeri Sembilan campaign ended up with failure, but a lack of experience, quality and consistency might be the real reason. This season they will keen to put 2012 season behind, as they added more experience player with the likes of Hamsani Ahmad, Fauzi Nan, Eddy Helmi, and Alafi Mahmud. Emanuel De Porras will lead the attack as he replaced Effa Owona who left to join the East Coast side Terengganu while William Paul Modibo filling in Marian Farbak's place in the heart of the defence. On the other hand, they will missed Farizal Marlias who joined Perak, S. Kunanlan to Selangor and Shukor Adan to newly promoted side ATM who became their most valuable players since winning Malaysia Cup twice in three years. They will now have to content with the player they have in the disposal as they will lead by Portuguese head coach, Divaldo Alves who previously managed Persebaya 1927, Minangkabau and Persijap. If Negeri Sembilan were to achieve successful campaign, they will need the performance of Shakir Ali and Shahurain Abu Samah to gear up the team ahead in Malaysia Super League.

Key Player: Fauzi Nan, Norhafiz Zamani Misbah, Idris Karim, Shahurain Abu Samah, Shakir Ali

Young Talented Player: Shakir Ali, Halim Zainal, Firdaus Azizul, Muszaki Abu Bakar

2012 season: Finished 6th in Malaysia Super League

Team Status Chances: Top half finish

Lion XII Malaysia Super League Watch

Singapore to finish first in the Malaysia Super League?

Lions fan may still in a victorious mood after winning AFF Suzuki Cup 2012, but the team may already started to work their socks off in a pre-season to prepare for an upcoming 2013 season. As an invitees team, they will continue with the same player from the start of 2012 season without involving in transfer window. With the likes of captain Shahril Ishak, Baihakki Khaizan, and Khairul Amri, they will be keen to continue their tremendous form in the previous season of the Super League, sitting first in the table for much of the season before settling in a second place to the eventual champions Kelantan. 

Key Player: Shahril Ishak, Baihakki Khaizan, and Khairul Amri 

Young Talented Player: Izwan Mahbud, Madhu Mohana, Hariss Harun and Safuwan Baharudin

2012 season: Finished 2nd in Malaysia Super League

Team Status Chances: Title Candidate

Kelantan Malaysia Super League Watch

Can Kelantan repeat the 2012 success?

What a year for Kelantan. Winning Super League title, FA Cup title, and Malaysia Cup in one season is a terrific achievement. They are way far better than any other team this season and showed to the whole nation that they are now should be considered one of Malaysian giants. The team that consisting mostly from local talent, Kelantan started dreadfully this season, losing 2-1 narrow defeat in the hands of Negeri Sembilan in a Charity Shield and marked a slow start in the league under the English head coach Peter Butler. Couple of draws and surprise defeat put Kelantan title bid in jeopardy. Ghaddar's unimpressive start alongside Nwoha's dire performance did little to raise the team up in the table. But until the point when Peter Butler suddenly went AWOL and both him and Kelantan decided to part ways in the middle of the season, the appointment of Bojan Hodak marked a significant impact to Kelantan season, try to overturn Kelantan's fate in the process  When they brought in tough defender Obinna Nwaneri and rejuvenate Ghaddar's form, everything begin to turn in favour of them. First, they beat Sime Darby to win their very first FA Cup albeit from a Ghaddar's penalty goal. Second, they keep pushing to win as many league matches as possible to overtake Lions XII first place position who sit first in most of the season. They did so finally, even beating Lions XII ruthlessly to earn the first spot in the league table and thus defended the title they win in previous season. In Malaysia Cup, they showed a scintillating form in front of the crowd, having no real trouble to qualify in the final while defeating fierce rival Selangor in semi-final round. Three wonderful assist from Piya and a great performance from Norshahrul Idlan Talaha rounded off Kelantan domination in Malaysian football. The new season will be much tougher than before, as one of their valuable striker Norshahrul Idlan Talaha decides to transfer to Johor alongside Nurul Azwan Roya, S. Chanturu join Perak, Ramzul Zahini and Afiq Azmi went to rivals Selangor, as well as Ghaddar's over-the-top demand makes it harder for Kelantan in the future. They managed to sign on-loan a 20 year-old Dimitri Petratos from Hyundai A-League outfit, Sydney FC though Bojan decides to use the experience Keita Mandjou to Kelantan's attack. Unlike any other team in the Super League, Kelantan does not have to rely heavily with one certain player to score goals, as Piya, Farhan and Indra combination are proved to be a deadly attacking trio. The whole Kelantan team deserves to play at the highest level given their magnificent ability in football, but went largely uncredited from Malaysia national coach, K. Rajagobal who were overlook the majority of Kelantan player before losing expectedly to neighbours Thailand. Despite the loss of key players, Kelantan remains favourites to win 2013 Super League title although they have to be wary with the challenge of Johor, ATM, Lions XII, Selangor and possibly Perak in the upcoming season.

Key Player: Indra Putra Mahyuddin, Nor Farhan Mohammad, Badhri Radzi, Daudsu Jamaluddin, Shakir Shaari

Young Talented Player: Nik Shahrul Azim, Aris Zaidi, Izuan Salahuddin

2012 season: Finished 1st in Malaysia Super League

Team Chance Status: Title candidate