MSL 2016 match day 1: Between the hype and reality

Photo: Official photo Bharian

Malaysian fans were promised six live MSL matches this season. With the highest quality. Yesterday, there were only two live matches on Media Prima channel, TV3 and TV9. The quality of the production is, shocking. So was the quality of the games. The broadcast live caused some pain in the eyes. The pitch is pixelated. The quality level is probably lower than 240p (a reference to a quality of Youtube video), it is just horrifying. To add more pain, the performance of the team is just rubbish. There is just too many misplaced passes, bad crosses, lack of clear-cut chances and a very poor, poor finishing. As if they are not ready to play a competitive game at all. Hope to see an improvement from both TV production team as well as the team performance in the next few weeks.

I did that because I love you, JDT.

JDT 1-1 Selangor (JDT won the Piala Sumbangsih 7-6 on penalties)

JDT and Selangor struggled to break the defence. Their attackers were running out of idea. Both team had to score through set-pieces. JDT scored through Harris Harun who headed the ball from Safiq Rahim's free-kick just before the half-time. JDT dominated the game and there's almost no room for Selangor to attack but handed a set-back as Hafiz scored with a stunning free-kick that went straight to the right side of the net to make it 1-1. The match can only be decided through penalty shoot-out. There are times when JDT have the upper hand, with Olivi and Gopi missed their penalties and there are times Selangor have the chances, with Diaz and Azamuddin missed it. The longer this went on, the higher the pressure will be on for the penalty taker. In the end, it was Azrif Nasrulhaq, who allegedly has signed for JDT without the consent of his team, and even professes his love to play for JDT, missed his penalty, ultimately handed the Piala Sumbangsih to JDT. It was such an unexpected and extraordinary ending to the game.

Do you want to make Qu Puteh trademark as your default face? Click Yes.

Perak 0-0 Kelantan

Let's see, the most entertaining thing in this game is none other than Dato Seri Vida sitting on the bench alongside an uncomfortable Kelantan coaching staff. Photos of her smiling and doing a Qu Puteh trademark circulating in the social media like a wildfire, prompting funny memes and critical response from the fans. The game is a forgettable one, as it is probably one of the worst opening MSL game of all time. Very few goalmouth actions as both team struggle to break the opposition defence. Perak have a fair chance to win the game through Erick Weeks and Vokhid Shodiev, but too often missed the golden chance when presented to them. While Kelantan can only cut the defence through Dramane Traore while others unable to spark anything in the game. It proved how Kelantan missed the presence of their captain marvel, Piya, which is the brain and the creator of the goal for his team. Devan need to put Piya back to the team in the upcoming game or else he will be in trouble.

Terengganu 1-0 Penang

In front of huge crowd in Kuala Terengganu, Gustavo Lopez's goal proved to be the winner as the recently promoted side Penang unable to find the ultimate equaliser until the end of the game, meaning that The Turtles picked up the first 3 points of the season.

Felda United 2-0 Kedah

Kedah is a strong favourites to win the game but struggled playing on an artificial pitch, different for The Fighters who have presumably adapted well with their new home. As a result, Felda took an early lead through new signing Lutfulla Turaev with a stunning goal from the edge of the box and added another goal through a penalty from Zah Rahan Krangar.

PDRM 1-0 Sarawak

Sarawak is brimming with confidence coming into this game, with new coach K. Rajagobal, as well as several new signings such as K. Gurusamy, Juninho, Gilmar and Ndumba Makeche but were left hard done in the end as they beaten by weakened PDRM side who won with a solitary goal by Ali Ashfaq after a brilliant flick from his teammate found Ali who sent the goalkeeper to the wrong way.

Pahang 2-2 T-Team (TFC II)

It's fair to say that both team begin the season as a brand new team. Almost all of Pahang key players left the team, with only several players staying such as Matthew Davis, D. Saarvindran and Zesh Rehman. While T-Team came as a newly promoted side through a play-off ticket strengthened by new coach Rahmad Darmawan and several new signings such as Ramzul Zahini Adenan, Makan Konate and Abdoulaye Maiga. The Elephant Army took an early lead through Dalibor Volas who took the chance to score when T-Team defenders failed to clear the ball away. Minutes later, the bad boy Saiful Nizam Miswan or popularly known as Poyeng was sent off after committing two bookable offence as Pahang down to 10 men. Having the numerical advantage, T-Team used most of their chances as they equalised through Safawi Rashid in the 71 minute. T-Team added Pahang misery as they scored another goal through Izzaq Faris Ramlan who came off the bench to finish off the counter-attack as Nasril Nourdin completely left his goalpost and unable to prevent Izzaq from scoring in the 88 minute. Is that a winning goal? (a reference to FM commentary). To T-Team surprise, new signing German Pacheco scored a brilliant free-kick from way outside of the penalty box to make it 2-2, thus making sure that they are picking up a point in the first matchday of the season.