A golden assist from Piya to find Nor Farhan Mohd who slotted the ball beautifully into the back of the net to make it 1-0 and it was enough for The Red Warriors to capture the FA Cup title for the second consecutive times after a long hard-fought battle against mega-rich side, Johor DT. Kelantan met two of their former players, Norshahrul Idlan Talaha and Nurul Azwan Roya who previously won the FA Cup title together last season. But the one of the most talked about during the game was three quick changes from the Southern Tiger when the match were just inside 45 minutes.
Man of the Match: Piya
What's more, Johor DT striker Norshahrul Idlan Talaha, who best known as Matyo, allegedly thrown his runner-up medal into the dustbin, locked himself in the dressing room and refused any interviews from the media.
Johor DT players were promised earlier by Tengku Mahkota Johor before the FA Cup final clash that they will have Audi Q7 each if they win the cup both as bonus and motivation for the team. It results in failure though.
Selangor proved money can't buy success as they easily overcome The Southern Tiger despite playing with 10 men to secure one of the biggest result this season
The Red Giants proved too strong for the visitors as they crushed title rivals Johor DT 4-1 in an exciting encounter at Shah Alam Stadium. Selangor lining up Peter Chrappan in the starting eleven as a replacement for the banned Ramez Dayoub, released by The Red Giants last week while Adib Abdul Latif get the nod ahead of captain Asrarudin Putra. Johor DT lining up almost an unchanged line-up with Muslim Ahmad sitting on the bench this time and captain Safiq Rahim back in the starting eleven after injury absence. Selangor have an early lead through S. Kunanlan with a fluke goal in the 4th minute. The home side doubled their lead this time through Francis Forkey Doe who scored in a close range finish with Johor DT goalkeeper Zamir Selamat failed to hold the ball that went straight into the net. With Johor DT falling behind again with two goals, they should have think to tighten the defence more or change the tactical approach during half-time interval but Fandi Ahmad thought otherwise when he decided to change current keeper Zamir Selamat with sub keeper Al-Hafiz Hamzah, believed that both conceded goals was at Zamir's fault. It is as if similar script in the first half continued in the second half as Johor DT did not do enough to creates chances and threaten their opposition while the home side looked as lively as ever. It was not until ten minutes after the restart that new Selangor centre-back Peter Chrappan collected a second yellow card as he fouled Johor DT striker Norshahrul Idlan Talaha at the edge of the penalty box. It should be a huge advantage for the away side when Selangor have one man down, but things just didn't went their way. Instead, Selangor keep marching on, and they did so in 66th minute when the unlikeliest goalscorer Mahalli Jasuli dribbled past Johor DT's defence before releasing the shot to the back of the net. It was superb effort and Mahalli would be delighted with his playing display. The home side were not yet satisfied as they got another goal in the 69th minute courtesy from a delightful pass from Forkey Doe who finds an unmarked Amri Yahyah who slotted the ball easily to the bottom right corner of the net to make it 4-0. Norshahrul Idlan Talaha gave Johor DT the only consolation goal in the 75th minute by dribbling past Selangor defender before unleashing the ball past Norazlan Razali. Following the win over Johor DT, Selangor were up to second place, tied on 18 points with league leaders ATM only separated by goal difference. Despite a heavy defeat, Johor DT still very much close with league leaders ATM, with only two points separated them but The Southern Tiger will have to content with fourth place, behind Lions XII, Selangor and ATM.
Norshahrul Idlan Talaha late equaliser can't hide the fact that Johor DT are still underperformed against the youthful Lions XII It should be an easy home win for Johor DT, remind that Lions XII lack experienced overall other than Shahril Ishak and Baihakki Khaizan for instance, but the home side surprisingly struggled to put their local rivals away. Lions XII have an early lead through the 22-year-old midfielder Hariss Harun who received the ball from captain Shahril Ishak and fired the volley to the back of the net in the 4th minute. Lions XII continue to mount the pressure to the home side as Johor struggled to contain the Singaporean side. Johor equalised through a glancing header from Simone Del Nero who found a cross from Nurul Azwan Roya in the 15th minute. Lions XII have a lead again, this time through a set-piece from Shahril Ishak which met the head of Baihakki Khaizan in the 37th minute to make it 2-1 until the end of the first half. The Southern Tiger pushed hard since the start of the second half, trying to get the equaliser and possibly a winner in the match. But the home side were irritated by the Lions' stubborn and encouraging defending to deny any possibility for Johor DT. Their patience were rewarded though, as sensational striker Norshahrul Idlan Talaha produced a magnificent strike just outside of the box to earn and finish the match with a 2-2 draw. It was a valuable point for the away side as they retained the second placed in the table while the scoreline spare the blushes for the home side as they moved to fourth in the table. Fandi Ahmad himself were not pleased with his players' attitude, pointing that they were not playing as a team and wondered of his side's mentality. Johor DT has improved since the famous defeat at the hands of Pahang in the first match of the 2013 season, in which they are currently unbeaten in six matches in a row. Next, Johor DT will face Felda United away at Kelana Jaya Stadium on February 22.
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.
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
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 fans in good spirit in Sunday evening despite heavy downpour hours before the match at Bukit Jalil National Stadium. Malaysia will eyeing for a win to make it a comfortable lead for the second leg in Bangkok.
Malaysia made five changes in starting line-up from a side that beat Indonesia last week due to injury.
The match started intensely in the first half, with both side keen to take an early lead but could not capitalise any of their chances including a glaring miss from Azamuddin Akil.
Malaysia finally took a lead in 48th minute through a diving header from Norshahrul Idlan Talaha met a crossing from young fullback Mahalli Jasuli.
With Thailand staring to their first defeat of the tournament, they somehow fine an edge to equalise in 78th minute through a fine header from Teerasil Dangda to level the scoreline.
There is controversial circumstances, when Thailand's head coach Winfried Schafer was banned from the touchline by the officials after over-protesting constantly during the match.
The home side have numerous clear cut chances but failed to turn it into goals, while Thailand were lucky to get a draw from some sloppy defending but good enough for their final encounter in second leg of semi-final. Its a tough ask for Malaysia, having failed to retain their lead despite substitution and changing tactics. They need a catalyst and perhaps miracle to beat Thailand in their own home soil to make it to the final. Player performance and selection should be taken as a serious consideration given that Thailand will not giving any favours to the Malayan Tiger to defend the title. Thailand will take on Malaysia for the second leg of semi-final AFF Suzuki Cup 2012 on Thursday, 13 December 2012 at Supachalasai Stadium, Bangkok. Both side will do anything to ensure the victory for the path to the final.
