Malaysian football weekly Roundup + Preview

This week oversaw two top Malaysian side JDT and Pahang in action for AFC Cup Quarter-Final First Leg.

MSL champions, JDT disappointingly draw 1-1 against South China and it will be tough playing away at Mongkok. A mission impossible.

Meanwhile, the league runners-up Pahang were hammered 4-0 by FC Istiklol away at Dushanbe in which they played without the presence of Dickson Nwakaeme. Pahang do have a history of making a comeback even if it seems impossible, but despite that, to score more than 4 would be a little too much. Highly unlikely.

Over to the youth, President Cup 2015 final on Friday oversaw Kelantan beat Penang 2-1 at Bandaraya Stadium. Goals from Fakrul Zaman and Azwan Aripin led to the victory for The Red Warrior. The triumph means that Kelantan have won President Cup for a record of 6 times, more than any other team.

Special mention for the national youth side, Malaysia U19 or Harimau Muda C who have been impressive so far, beating Singapore U19 or Young Lions by 4-0 scoreline. They also managed to draw against Vietnam in 0-0 goalless draw in Vientiane.

On Saturday, Malaysia national team will face Bangladesh in Shah Alam Stadium in preparation for the World Cup Qualifying Round against UAE.

Also on the same day and time, FAM League final will be play between the recently promoted FAM League side, Malacca and Perlis at Hang Jebat Stadium, Malacca.

Not to mention, Malaysia U19 facing Myanmar U19 in Vientiane.

AFC Cup, Malaysia Cup play-off and AFF U19

After the end of MSL and MPL season, fans are pretty much turning their attention to AFC Cup Quarter Final with both JDT and Pahang involved. There is also Malaysia Cup play-off to determine the final two team for the competition. In the youth scene, Harimau Muda C currently compete in the AFF U19, with high expectation after months of preparation in Slovakia.

Mario Gomez will be facing his former team tonight, as JDT are looking for a strong lead in the first leg. After their recent success in the league, they are seeking for more on the more prestige tournament. The return of Marcos Antonio at the heart of defence will be huge boost for the home side.

NS Matrix will be a much fancied team to be in Malaysia Cup since they have larger fan base and has been around much longer than ATM. NS also recorded a better form compare to the relegated ATM. A win for the away side would be a likely result.

Sime Darby should be winning this despite their recent slump in the league. No one would fancy to see two JDTs in the same competition. This is the time to prove that they are worthy opponent in Malaysia Cup.

Malaysia v Singapore would be a mouth-watering clash if it's senior side due to the strong rivalry between the two sides. But on the youth level, this should be an easy one for the Harimau Muda C since there is such a clear distinction in the team's ability.  


Tonight

AFC Cup 2015 Quarter Final 1st Leg

JDT v South China

Malaysia Cup 2015 play-off

ATM v NS Matrix
Sime Darby v JDTII

AFF Cup U-19

Malaysia v Singapore

JDT won the 2015 Malaysia Super League title

JDT became the Malaysia Super League 2015 champions for the second consecutive time. -azhafizah.com

On the final day of the season, a massive travelling supporters witnessed JDT lift the Malaysia Super League trophy at Selayang.

The Southern Tigers in a high spirit against Felda United, hoping to end the season with a win and wrapped it up with a title celebration.

But Felda United clearly feel that they should not let JDT pass without a fight. The home side took the lead through a header from Shahrul Saad in the fourth minute. 

The match became even harder for the away side as they conceded a penalty and down to 10 men as Junior Eldstal was sent off after he brought down Ndumba Makeche in the penalty area.

Indra Putra scored the penalty to make it 2-0 for The Fighters and the scoreline stays until the half-time.

It is a huge advantage for Pahang to take the lead but The Elephant Army surprisingly struggle away to Terengganu as they were 1-0 down at half-time.

JDT managed to pulled one back as the match official awarded the away side a penalty after Christie Jayaseelan deliberately clear the ball with his hand. Luciano Figueroa made it 2-1 for the visitors but struggle to add another goal.

Pahang have the chances but unable to convert it into goals as they conceded another goal. Damion Stewart managed to equalise but Terengganu put the final nail in the coffin, scoring the third goal thus crushing the Pahang hope and this season title race, with the league title won by JDT for the second time in a row.

JDT and Pahang qualified for AFC Cup 2016.

ATM and Sime Darby are relegated to Malaysia Premier League 2016.

Dramane Traore of PDRM became the MSL top league goalscorer with 19 goals.

Hariss Harun became the first player to win Malaysia Super League for the third consecutive time, with LionsXII in 2013, with JDT in 2014 and 2015.

The overachiever- Terengganu

The underachiever- Kelantan

Full Results

Felda United 2-1 JDT
Terengganu 3-1 Pahang
Perak 0-2 Selangor
Kelantan 4-3 Sarawak
PDRM 3-2 ATM
LionsXII 3-0 Sime Darby

MSL Match Day 22: The penultimate

Here it is, the final day of Malaysia Super League season. Not much can be said since tonight might be a straightforward outcome to the season. Its been a two-horse race until today, between JDT and Pahang.

Once there was PDRM, Felda and Selangor in the title race. Now, JDT have two point advantage over their rival Pahang but there might be a twist to the title race.

Both team have to travel, JDT to Selayang to meet Felda United who managed to stop Pahang title charge at Kuantan last time.

While Pahang have to travel to meet the in-form Terengganu who beat PDRM in the previous game. Both have a tricky away game to begin with. Judging from the previous MSL season, both team are likely to win the game and JDT will win the title. There is no such event, yet, on how second place team came out on top and win the title. We will see how it goes and surely, it will be exciting to watch.

The rest of the team will play on the basis of completing the league fixtures, this include bottom team ATM and Sime Darby who were already confirmed their relegation to Malaysia Premier League next season.

Full matches

Felda v JDT
Terengganu v Pahang
Perak v Selangor
Kelantan v Sarawak
PDRM v ATM
LionsXII v Sime Darby

MPL Match Day 22 Roundup: The end of the season

The final day of MPL season saw Kedah celebrate as they were crowned Malaysia Premier League champions. A hat-trick from Sandro da Silva sealed their promotion to the Super League as they beat DRB-Hicom in emphatic 5-1 victory at Stadium Nasional Bukit Jalil.

T-Team unexpectedly lose 2-1 to struggling Kuantan thus missed out the promotion to MSL as Penang beat UiTM 2-0 and claim the final spot to the Super League.

At the end of the table saw Kuala Lumpur relegated to FAM League as they were beaten by NS Matrix 2-1 at Paroi while Kuantan dramatically escaped the drop as they beat the in-form T-Team 2-1 at home.

Kedah return to MSL after three year absence.

Penang return to the top flight after five years of misery.

SPA relegated to FAM League after two years.

Kuala Lumpur relegated to FAM League after spending just one year in MPL.

Full results

DRB-Hicom 1-5 Kedah
UiTM 0-2 Penang
Kuantan 2-1 T-Team
SPA 0-3 PKNS
NS Matrix 2-1 KL
Sabah 1-2 JDTII