MPL Match Day Review: The City Boys on their way back to MSL

It has been incredible for KL so far. After years of struggling in the lower league, they are now top of Malaysia Premier League standing with 10 points after four matches. Who would have thought KL would be the promotion contender this season. There was a time when they seemed like they are not up to it. Negeri Sembilan almost ruined their unbeaten run until Zhafri Yahya scored the equaliser three minutes before the whistle gone. They are leading 2-0 against Sabah after just four minutes through Zhafri again and Casagrande. But The Rhinos managed to get back into the game through Marco Tulio's penalty and Leopold Otong. Helmi Remeli finally netted the winner in 82 minutes. It was a nervy end but a win is a win.

Another MPL team rising to the top is DRB-Hicom. After one win and one defeat, DRB surprised Sabah who played at their sacred home Likas, by defeating them 2-0 through Fakrul Aiman and Arip Amiruddin. But no one would have imagined DRB recording a comfortable win against UiTM. It's a major shock. DRB dominated and scored three goals in the first half through their new signing Philip Lund and a brace from Ivan Babic. Babic completed his hat-trick in the 50th minute. UiTM can only scored through a consolation goal from their top goalscorer, Pavel Purishkin.

JDTII was under scrutiny after losing three games in a row but finally ended the misery as they thrashed the hapless ATM 5-1 at Pasir Gudang while Sabah and ATM are currently losing for four games in a row and though it is still early in the season, if they unable to find their way back to the safety zone, relegation is a certainty.

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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.

Fakri Saarani going abroad

Photo Coutesy from sokernet.com.my

Ahmad Fakri Saarani is set to become Malaysia's third player that will plying trade outside of Malaysia, after being approached by Marco Guimaraes, a football agent who is the one who arranged Nazmi Faiz move successfully to SC Beira Mar, to play for Atletico Sport Clube in Teircera Liga, a second division league in Portugal, for a six-month contract. He also receives several offers from Malaysia Super League clubs, as well as other Portuguese clubs in higher division, but worried he may not get a first team chances as much as he would have hope. The club head coach, Paulo Simao, is said to be impressed with Fakri after watching him playing in the video. The 23 yeor-old will join the club as soon as the AFF Suzuki Cup 2012 competition is over. Fakri, who is considered as a former Malaysian wonderkid, scored a hat-trick at the age of 18, when he played for Perak in Malaysia Super League match against Negri Sembilan, and later went on to play for Perlis, which he plays in his best form and became a highlight of his career. He is also part of Harimau Muda who won 2008 Malaysia Premier League title, Gold medal in 2009 SEA Games and 2011 SEA Games. He is also successful in club level, winning 2011 Malaysia Cup title by beating Terengganu with Negri Sembilan. He suffered a long-term injury when he is still playing for Perlis and on the verge of signing for Negri Sembilan and subsequently ruled out to play for 2010 AFF Suzuki Cup. He recovered from his injury since then but could not regain his form and performances, after he struggled both in club level and international level, and even after move to Felda United earlier this year, he could not live up to the expectation, as he is tipped to become one of the brightest young talent that Malaysia have after years of drought in producing young talent. This move may as well rejuvenated his form back to his best and to be a regular starter in the first eleven for the national setup once again.