FA Cup 2nd Round tie Roundup

Guiza stars in Johor dramatic comeback win over Kedah, Azamuddin Akil romped four goals past Tentera Darat in 7-1 victory while Primorac shown T-Team the exit door 

Johor DT should have recorded an easy win against recently relegated Premier League side Kedah FA but made the unusually hard way to progress to the next round. Two early goals in the first half from clinical striker Khyril Muhymeen almost condemned Johor DT to a shock cup exit but were visibly improved in the second half. Dani Guiza is the hero for the Southern Tiger side as he scored two goals in the second half. A controversial free-kick conceded for a questionable handball by Kedah but no trouble for Guiza as he equalised with a sublime finish in the stoppage time and dragged the match into additional extra-time. With either side couldn't find a breakthrough after an extra-time, it seems a penalty shoot-out will be likely to decide the winner. Dani Guiza is the hero once again as he coolly slotted the penalty win after Kedah player Shazuan Ashraf missed the spot-kick earlier.

Pahang pushed complacency issues aside as they trashed FAM League outfit Tentera Darat 7-1 in Darul Makmur Stadium. Four goals from Azamuddin Akil confirmed Pahang place in the Third FA Cup Round.

Penang have no answer for Terengganu despite an encouraging performance as an excellent Ashari Samsudin scored two goals in a 3-0 easy away win which saw them progress to the next round.

Super League outfit T-Team suffered a cup exit after FA Cup 2012 runners-up Sime Darby hold firm 1-0 narrow lead through their in-form striker Karlo Primorac.

Negeri Sembilan recorded an easy 2-0 home victory over unfancied Pos Malaysia after first half goals from Fauzi Nan and Rashid Mahmud sealed the win for Hobin Jang Hobin.

Premier League outfit Sarawak have no trouble progressing to the next round after an easy 2-0 home win over PBAPP at Stadium Negeri, Kuching.

Selangor were the victors against Sabah in the earlier clash which ended 3-0 at Likas.

The only side that is yet to progress are current FA Cup holders Kelantan up against tricky side PKNS, having their match suspended due to a waterlogged pitch. They will only meet on March 25th for a rematch.

Malaysia Super League Team of the Week Match Day 4

MSL Team of the Week 4

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

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

Johor Malaysia Super League Watch

Can Johor win the Malaysia Super League 2013 title?

When JCorp decided to allow Tunku Ismail Ibrahim to take the reins of the very top seat in football, that is the moment that will change Johor's fate forever. Once the 2012 season ends, the Crown Prince of Johor immediately signify the changes by spending heavily during transfer window in the off-season including two proven imports of European heavyweight, Euro 2008 winner Dani Guiza and Lazio legend Simone Del Nero. They later added a long list of Malaysia international star, Kelantan star Norshahrul Idlan Talaha and Nurul Azwan Roya, Selangor star Safiq Rahim alongside ATM trio Aidil Zafuan, Zaquan Adha and Azmi Muslim. They even went as far as trying to have a loan deal with Malaysia star striker Safee Sali while AFF Suzuki Cup 2012 tournament is in commence as if it wasn't enough for the Southern Tiger. Ludicrous it may seems, given that Johor FC only finished 9th in the Super League last season, a fair assessment to a very average performance throughout the season. They didn't just signed several players, but to the point that they revamp the whole Johor FC and Johor FA squad to make it under one management. Later, they assign Fandi Ahmad as their new head coach ,they change the emblem and even the name to Darul Takzim FC and Johor United. This may displeased the majority of non-Johor fans due to their financial and royal advantage but the prince get the support he wanted from the fans. While he may largely neglected one of the most important part of football which is local derby inside his own state, his ambition to succeed were applauded by many. It is remain to be seen whether such a short-term plan will end with glorious towards the end, but 2013 season will expected to be more interesting than ever before.

Key Player: Dani Guiza, Simone Del Nero, Safee Sali, Norshahrul Idlan Talaha, Safiq Rahim, Aidil Zafuan, Zaquan Adha, Azmi Muslim

Young Talented Player: Zamir Selamat, Muslim Ahmad        

Malaysia Super League 2012: finished 9th

Team Chance Status: Title candidate

Johor completed the signing of Dani Guiza on-loan from Getafe

Photo Courtesy star.com.my

Johor has sealed the signing of Getafe striker, Dani Guiza, on-loan for a year deal, with the option to buy on permanent deal. After days of speculation, with bigger club such as Real Zaragoza and Real Malaga keen to sign the 32 year-old striker, but surprisingly opted to sign for optimistic-but-unproven Malaysia side, Johor. He said he is moved by how the Prince of Johor badly wanted him to play for Johor, and make him feel valuable. Though this season he failed to make a single appearance for Getafe,with only four goals tally to his name last season, he is keen to play in the new atmosphere and possibly find back his best form. He is best considered as a late bloomer like Didier Drogba, being on top of his form at the age of 27, and was part of Spain squad during Euro 2008, which witnessed Spain crown as a champion beating Germany in the process. But a year after his move to Fenerbahce during summer of 2008, he was overlooked heavily by Spain head coach, Vicente Del Bosque, as he never receive a call-up for international match, since winning Euro 2008. His form has dipped later on, with Del Bosque heavily favours a younger player and the preference of using 4-3-3 formation, with the option of using false number nine. For Malaysian fans, this is probably the biggest signing so far in 2012, after Johor making a move for Safiq Rahim, Aidil and Zaquan Adha. If things stay for now, Guiza may have a chance to become the most expensive signing in Malaysia, and will certainly excite the fans with the prospect of watching one of world class player playing in Malaysia Super League.