MSL: Selangor and JDT lead the season so far

Photo by Bharian.com.my

After a 1-1 stalemate with JDT in the first game of the season, Selangor have picked themselves very well by winning three games in a row: 1-0 win against Perak, 3-1 win against Pahang and 4-2 win over Sarawak. Patrick Wleh has finally showcase his talent that Selangor fans has been waiting for and currently the league top goalscorer with 5 goals.

The defending league champions, JDT have no trouble so far, winning three consecutive games with 2-0 win against T-Team, 2-0 win against Terengganu and 2-1 win over Felda United. Despite the results, The Southern Tigers have yet to impress the media and fans particularly in a game against Felda, how they have ultimately failed to break Felda's attacking movement as well as defensive line before the Fighters unable to hang on to the lead after going down to 10 men. Work is still in progress.

They were followed by Felda who, other than the JDT defeat, have done well by picking up 9 points against Kedah, Sarawak and T-Team. Felda's current standing is largely contributed by the performances from Zah Rahan Krangar, Hadin Azman and Lutfulla Turaev who have scored six goals between them. Kedah on the other hand, recovered from opening day defeat to Felda by collecting seven points against Terengganu, Perak and Kelantan.

Terengganu, Penang, Kelantan and PDRM shared mixed results between them. Terengganu have two wins and two defeats, while Penang, Kelantan and PDRM have tasted win, draw and defeat. But among them, the one who shines so far is Ali Ashfaq with 3 goals under his belt so far. Not to mention Baze Illijoski, Faiz Subri, Matias Cordoba, Osas Saha and Amirul Syahmi who have been superb in the league.

The same can't be said for Perak, T-Team, Sarawak and Pahang. They have yet to register a single win in the league so far and could be soon fighting for relegation if they failed to improve in the later stages. Some of the teams have to improve in terms of attacking and some have to improve in terms of defending. Perak amazingly conceded only two goals, the least number of conceded goals so far alongside JDT, yet only scored once. T-Team have scored three goals but concede seven goals while both Sarawak and Pahang have scored five goals but conceded 9 and 11 goals respectively.

The league actions will return on Friday, March 11 between Terengganu and Selangor while other matches will be played on Saturday, March 12 and Sunday, March 13.

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

MSL Match Day 21 Roundup: The turning point

Six matches were played on Wednesday and plenty of actions as well as shocking results. The best match can be found at Kuantan where many witnessed Pahang failure to grab three points at home as they only managed to draw 2-2 against Felda United, thus providing the path for JDT to win the league title.

The Elephant Army have to wait until the second half to score and took the lead through Dickson Nwakaeme. However, Felda managed to pull one back through Thiago Fernandes, to the surprise of the home fans. To make matter worse, Thiago scored again through a header which Khairul Azhan failed to clear the ball that bounced past the keeper. Strong centre-back Damion Stewart managed to to equalise soon through a header but the home side unable to make use of the last 10 minutes to grab the vital winner.

JDT was convincing at Larkin, winning 4-1 against the depleted Perak. Goals from Nazrin Nawi, S. Chanturu, Luciano Figueroa and Safiq Rahim propelled JDT to the top of the table with two-point advantage over Pahang and putting The Southern Tigers in pole position to win the MSL title for the second time.

The relegation battle have officially ended as the already-relegated Sime Darby forced ATM to go back to the Malaysia Premier League since 2013 as they won with a narrow 1-0 win against The Gladiators, their first ever win of the season. A goal from the penalty spot by Nemanja Vidakovic condemned ATM towards the relegation.

Saturday will be the final league game and most importantly the title decider between Pahang and JDT. Both team face a tricky away game, with Pahang travelling to Terengganu while JDT visit Felda United in Selayang.

Full results

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

MSL Match Day 21: A quick preview

Six matches due to play tonight with both Pahang and JDT desperately trying to win after both suffered a hiccup from the last game while ATM also searching for a win against the bottom place Sime Darby.

JDT v Perak

The Southern Tigers quickly wanted to forget their embarrassing defeat from the last game with a win tonight. Mario Gomez said he is going for a tactical changes, with Junior and Marcos at the centre of the defence, Jasazrin in the middle alongside Safiq Rahim and also some changes at the wings. JDT will be without Amri Yahyah who is suffering from injury, while Perak will travel without Idris Ahmad as well as Namkung Woong, Horace James and Charles Souza Chad.
The verdict: JDT win

Pahang v Felda United

Despite only managed to draw from the last game, Pahang is expected to play with their full strength at Kuantan and it will be a tough one for The Fighters. The verdict: Pahang win

Selangor v Kelantan

Both team struggled throughout the season, and have long out of the title race. Now they can only chase for the best placed finish in the league. It will be a huge advantage for the home side as The Red Warriors lose nine first-team players including Fakri Saarani, Amiridzwan Taj, Wan Zack Haikal through injuries while Hafiz Zamani Misbah, Noor Hazrul, Gilmar, Austin Amutu and Khairul Izuan all unavailable due to suspension. Zahasmi Ismail were forced to call up several President Cup players such as Qayyum Marjoni, Amir Zikri, Fakrul Zaman, Azwan Aripin and Wan Azam Mazlan to Shah Alam to fill up the first-team squad. The verdict: Selangor win or a draw

Sime Darby v ATM

A very important game for ATM, a win may keep them close to Sarawak, provided that Sarawak lose to LionsXII but a draw or defeat will seal their fate. The verdict: A likely draw. Sorry ATM, you are bound to go down sooner than later.

Full matches

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

MSL Match Day 20 Roundup

Six matches were played on Saturday and plenty of actions particularly in the pursuit of the league title. The best would be found in Kota Bharu where many witnessed league leaders JDT were torn apart by Kelantan in a shocking 4-1 defeat.

However, in the incredible twist, the second place Pahang who have a clear advantage to go top of the table by two points failed to do so when they only managed to draw against the out-of-form Perak. Pahang took an early lead through wonderful free-kick by Hafiz Kamal but a stunner from Bobby Gonzales prevent The Elephant Army from picking up all three points away in Ipoh.

As a result, both team shared 43 points and incredibly shared the same goal difference at +16. The only thing that separate the two sides is the goal scored where Pahang sitting top of the table followed by JDT.

An error pass from Ahmad Nordin Alias condemned the in-form Terengganu to their first league defeat in six games against Felda United at Selayang. Nordin tried to pass the ball to goalkeeper Sharmiza Yusof, but unaware of the presence of Ndumba Makeche from behind. Makeche saw the chance and lobbed the ball past the keeper to make it 1-0, the only goal of the game until the final whistle. Terengganu dropped to fifth in the table but shared the points with Felda who sit in fourth.

Selangor determined to beat LionsXII at Jalan Besar when they took the lead through Afiq Azmi who finally broke his goal drought in 59th minute. But The Red Giants were once again left disappointed as LionsXII scored the equaliser through Khairul Nizam and the scoreline stayed until the final whistle. Despite that, Selangor remain in third place while LionsXII remain in seventh.

The relegation battle between ATM and Sarawak saw them end with 1-1 draw. Abdulafees Salam put the The Gladiators in front, before debutant Tommy Mawat equalised for the away side. ATM remain in 11th, four points behind Sarawak who is in 10th.

While sixth place PDRM were held 1-1 by the bottom place Sime Darby.

MSL Match Day 20: A Quick Preview

It is the 20th league match of the MSL season and it has been fascinating so far with the title race still very much in progress. This season could end as one of the best so far since MSL title race normally ends far earlier and there is nothing to see or excites the fans any more towards the end of the season. This season though, is different. Two teams JDT and Pahang at the top of the table have showed a difference in quality if compare to the rest. 

JDT boasts a solid display and great mentality which probably due to a great depth in their squad, having invested in quality local players while Pahang offers a fast and attacking style contributed by all of their foreign players who always performed when it matters as well as a plausible fitness regime, preventing their key players from getting injured.

Both only separated with one point, but have a massive 10 points difference with the third and fourth place, Selangor and Terengganu. Both hoping each other to slip up.

Tonight, JDT face a daunting task to hold on to their lead as they meet Kelantan at Kota Bharu. Though The Red Warriors are struggling, losing two games in a row against two East Coast side, Terengganu and Pahang, JDT have to be wary with Kelantan's home advantage. JDT also tend to perform poorly whenever travelling, winning only six games out of eleven. Kelantan currently 9th, and probably have nothing to fight for, but they may not entertain the idea of allowing JDT to win at their home ground. The verdict: A draw

Pahang have the similar task with fellow rival JDT, facing a tricky away trip to Ipoh. But it might be easier for The Elephant Army since Perak are currently in a bad run, losing five games in a row and have lost a total of eight first team players due to injuries. This include key players Namkung Woong, Charles Souza Chad, Horace James, Tuah Iskandar and Hisyamuddin Syaari. The verdict: Easy win for Pahang

Another interesting match is Felda v Terengganu, though it would be more interesting if both are still in the title race. The Turtles have won for six consecutive games, but tonight they will be without the services of Zubir Azmi who is suspended, Gustavo Lopez and Norshahrul Idlan Talaha due to injuries. The verdict: A draw would be sufficient

LionsXII have always performed well at home and expected them to continue against Selangor. Although The Red Giants are currently unbeaten in four league matches, they have never beat the Lions away from home, not since their establishment in 2012. The verdict: Lions win 

At the end of the table, ATM are hoping for a win against Sarawak even though it seem far-fetched due to their eight winless run. This is the game where ATM have to perform if they really determine to avoid from relegation at the end of the season. The verdict: A draw would be good enough

Full matches

LionsXII v Selangor  TV9
Kelantan v JDT TV3
Perak v Pahang  TV1
Felda v Terengganu
ATM v Sarawak
PDRM v Sime Darby

MSL Match Day 19 Roundup: A short review

Five league matches played with the exception of the clash between PDRM and Felda who played a day earlier, plenty of actions throughout and the best one would be Pahang beating Kelantan at Darul Makmur Stadium, which produced eight goals in the process. Interestingly, Pahang goalscorer consist of five different players while Norfarhan became the only Kelantan scorer as he bagged a hat-trick in what would be a thrilling contest.

In Larkin, the league leaders JDT struggled to score against the stubborn LionsXII side. The only goal of the game came in the 55th minute through Luciano Figueroa. Nonetheless, the hard fought victory are vital to the Southern Tigers, keeping them at the top of the table, one point clear from title rival Pahang.

Terengganu continued their impressive form with 2-1 win at home over the hapless Perak side. First half goals from Ismail Faruqi and Issey Nakajima Farran was enough for the Turtles to make it six win in a row. Terengganu now in sitting fourth in the table. While Bobby Gonzales would probably delighted to return to the first-team and scored the only goal for Perak, that means the Bos Gaurus have lost for a total of five consecutive league matches. Perak currently in 8th, with 27 points.

Selangor are back to winning ways after 3-2 victory over relegation-threatened ATM. The Red Giants took the lead in the first half through a spot-kick scored by Guilherme De Paula before Abdulafees Salam scored the equaliser just before half time. Selangor took the lead again in the second half through Hazwan Bakri before Shahrom Kalam added the third for the home side. The away side managed to score in the injury time through Shukor Jusoh, but it was a little too late. Selangor now in third with 32 points while ATM remain at the bottom two with only 10 points.

Sarawak rued missed chance to take all three points away from home after a disappointing 1-1 draw against the relegation-bound Sime Darby. The Crocs took the lead through Billy Mehmet in the first half but the home side managed to equalise in the second half through Perovic, missing the chance to distance away from ATM. Sarawak currently 1oth with 15 points while Sime Darby deep rooted at the bottom with only 5 points.

MSL 2015 Match Day 19 Preview

  

  It is the 19th league games of the season, with only three more games to go. Prior to today's league games, several things has happened in the past few days, most notably the experienced coach M. Karathu who was 'rested' by Perak after four straight defeats that saw the Bos Gaurus gone from third in the league to the lowly 8th. Bear in mind, despite Perak sudden slump, there is only four-point difference to the current third-placed, PDRM. This is also the second managerial changes from Perak after an odd departure of Vjeran Simunic before the league even started. M. Karathu joined the long list of the MSL head coaches who was either rested or sacked midway through the league campaign. This means the assistant coach Abu Bakar Fadzim will take charge of the first-team until the end of the season, just like last season.

  Only five matches will be played today since both PDRM and Felda already played yesterday, probably due to the fact that PDRM and Selangor currently shared Shah Alam Stadium and somehow they happened to have home game on the same day so one of them have to give up and play on different day. Nonetheless, PDRM won by a narrow 1-0 win scored by the league top goalscorer Dramane Traore.

  There are two highly-anticipated games today, the meeting of two East Coast side which widely called as the East Coast derby and another one is the Causeway derby, this if you want to consider it a valid derby. 

   Kelantan who recently defeated at home by another East Coast side, the in-form Terengganu, today will meet the wounded Pahang who was defeated by LionsXII, thus losing their place at the top of the table to the fellow title rival JDT after 12 unbeaten run. Despite that, there is only one-point gap at the top of the table and they still have a chance to return to the top today. Kelantan will not be travelling to Kuantan with several key players including Gilmar, Fakri, Nik Shahrul Azim, Zairul Fitree due to injury and Amiridzwan Taj due to suspension. Pahang will be playing without the services of Azidan and Azam Azih due to injury. The verdict: Pahang win, Kelantan may have an outside chance if Carrillo doesn't messed it up. 

  To the Causeway, high-spirited LionsXII travel to Larkin seeking for a point after encouraging performance against league leaders Pahang. It would be a difficult encounter since the Southern Tigers are invincible at home and incredibly, they have yet to lose a single home game this season. This probably one of the reason why they are currently top of the table. Despite struggling to score against the relegation-threatened ATM, many would expect JDT to deliver a strong performance this time because if not Pahang might return to the top once again. Ugly win or not, it is a must-win game.

The verdict: JDT win  

  Other matches that are less worth to mention includes Selangor who once at certain point are top of the league until they were beaten by JDT and Pahang, now fourth placed and have 11-point gap with the league leaders JDT. Today should be an easy win for them..that will happen if they take it seriously against ATM, who have installed four different head coach yet unable to improve and remained at the bottom together with Sime Darby.

   Meanwhile the depleted Perak side travel away against the in-form Terengganu. It is a quite ironic clash, judging from how Perak have lost four times in a row while Terengganu are on the roll, winning five consecutive matches. With Issey Nakajima Farran and Bikana currently on form, it will be a very difficult game for Perak. However, things might get a little bit different with Abu Bakar in charge.

  The last one is the relegation battle between Sime Darby and Sarawak, even though the relegation for Sime Darby seems imminent. This game are rather an important one for Sarawak, with only four points from safety. Most likely a draw or a win for Sarawak.

MSL Tonight

Pahang v Kelantan

JDT v LionsXII

Terengganu v Perak

Selangor v ATM

Sime Darby v Sarawak