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.

T-Team secured place in MSL 2016

PHOTO: Official Facebook T-Team FC

T-Team secured the final place in Malaysia Super League as they beat ATM in a narrow 2-1 win of the MSL play-off at Stadium Perak in Ipoh on Saturday.

The Titans have no trouble in scoring throughout the first half as they took the lead through Ahmad Takiyuddin Roslan in the 26th minute while Tomislav Busic added second goal of the game in the 44th minute.

But The Titans were left in disbelief as Gladiators managed to score through Sukri Hamidi in the 51st minute due to a defensive howler, something that T-Team least expected to be from a side full of players from military forces.

T-Team tried to add more goals in the latter stages of the game but can only hang onto the lead as they secured the final spot left by the now defunct Singaporean side, LionsXII who competed in MSL last year.

While ATM will be competing in Malaysia Premier League this season.

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

MPL 2015 Match Day 22: The final preview

Kedah on the verge of  winning the 2015 MPL title- kedahfansclub.blogspot.com

It has been a great season so far in Malaysia Premier League with plenty of actions and drama. This should be one of the best MPL season since it is rare to see three teams battling for promotion on the final day as well two teams battling to avoid the relegation. Tonight will be the final day of the season. It is an important day especially for Kedah, who will be crowned the league champions if they beat DRB-Hicom at Stadium Nasional Bukit Jalil.

Both T-Team and Penang will desperately trying to came out on top as both team shared the league points and it might go down to the point of who will score more and with a better goal difference in the end that will be rewarded with a title promotion.

The title race surely is exciting, but lets not forget the one who are trying to survive from the relegation. After inexplicably lose to Kuantan in the last game, Kuala Lumpur have only one mission left, to win the last game. That is somehow, a daunting task since they will be playing against NS Matrix, a much-composed team than The City Boys. Kuantan is no different, and their task might be even harder since they are facing the promotion chaser T-Team. This might go down to who will concede less thus avoiding the drop in the end.

The favourites to win the title: Kedah

The favourites to get promoted to MSL: T-Team

The favourites to get relegated to FAM League: Kuantan

Full matches

DRB-Hicom v Kedah

Kuantan v T-Team

UiTM v Penang

NS Matrix v KL

Sabah v JDT II

SPA v PKNS

MPL Match Day 21 Roundup- KL fans goes berserk

KL fans were outraged by the results- utusan.com.my

Six matches were played on Tuesday with plenty of actions and shocking results between the top and the bottom of the table. The best match would be the league leaders Kedah wonderful comeback against Sabah.

The Red Hawk were twice trailed as the visitors took the lead through Joel Chianese before Sandro da Silva equalised through a spot kick. Joel Chianese added his second goal of the game, this time through a header past Abdul Hadi. Bang Seung-Hwan equalised again for the home side but they took until the 90th minute of the game to score the winner when Sandro da Silva whipped a free-kick which hit the barrier before the ball lobbed past the goalkeeper and managed to take all three points at home. The final league game for Kedah will be at Stadium Nasional Bukit Jalil where they contested DRB-Hicom.

While T-Team trashed bottom place SPA with the scoreline of 7-0. Knowing that they need a large margin of goal difference to at least have the upper hand over their closest promotion rivals Penang, they are not holding back against SPA and managed to gain a high number of goals thanks to Tomislav Busic who scored five in a single match. This has placed T-Team in second place with higher goal difference than Penang.

Penang continued their form despite a nervous 2-1 victory over DRB-Hicom. Two goals from Hilton and Faiz Subri put them third in the table.

The relegation battle ended in such an incredible twist as Kuantan surprisingly beat Kuala Lumpur 2-0 at Merdeka Stadium. Goals from Hazwan Fakrullah and Fabrice Noel put The Seagull level with KL with only goal difference separated them. KL fans were outraged by the results and some of them threw a few flares towards the pitch making the game suspended for five minutes.

Full results

Kedah 3-2 Sabah

T-Team 7-0 SPA

Penang 2-1 DRB-Hicom

PKNS 4-1 UiTM

KL 0-2 Kuantan

JDTII 0-0 NS Matrix

MPL Match Day 21: A quick preview

The MPL title race resumed today with plenty of anticipated clash. With only games remaining, Kedah, Penang and T-Team battled out for the promotion followed by PKNS who have the outside chance.

Kedah v Sabah would be a mouth-watering clash if The Rhinos did not crumbled in the middle of the season thanks to their beloved captain El Haji Diouf. The home side would definitely feel pressured to maintain their league position after losing to NS Matrix previously, a bit of slip up and they might lose the chance. However, looking at the away side form, it should be an easy win for them.

Meanwhile, both Penang and T-Team desperately wanted to pick all three points since both team are sharing the same league points and are probably hoping for their tital rivals to falter.

At the end of the table saw the relegation battle where both KL and Kuantan currently sit at 10th and 11th place respectively met each other today. A win or a draw would be good enough for The City Boys but Kuantan needed a win to at least rival the point against KL.

Full matches

Kedah v Sabah
Penang v DRB-Hicom
T-Team v SPA
PKNS v UiTM
KL v Kuantan
JDTII v NS Matrix

MPL Match Day 20 Roundup

Five games were played yesterday with the exception of SPA v Kuantan who scheduled to play today since Stadium UiTM was used by UiTM FC to play against T-Team. The best match would be the Penang convincing victory over Sabah by a margin of 4-0.

T-Team suffered a blow to their promotion chances when they only managed to draw 2-2 against UiTM. Sadriddin Abdullaev scored both goals for the Titans yet not enough to gain a crucial three points as they gave clear advantage to Penang to level on point. 

The Panther saw the chance and took it with style. The home side proved to strong for Sabah as goals from Elias Sulaiman, Faiz Subri and a brace from Azinee Taib condemned The Rhinos to seven games without a win. This mean Penang are currently in second place, levelled on point with T-Team with only one goal difference.

While the league leaders Kedah suffered a 2-0 defeat to NS Matrix at Paroi. Goals from Forkey Doe and N. Thanabalan ensured The Red Hawk to their only second defeat of the season since March. Regardless of the result, they remain top of the table with only three points separated from Penang and T-Team.

The struggling Kuala Lumpur beaten 2-1 to JDTII and might be in danger if Kuantan managed to win against SPA. The only way to save themselves from relegation is to win the final two games, also involving relegation rival, Kuantan.

Full result

Penang 4-0 Sabah
NS Matrix 2-0 Kedah
UiTM 2-2 T-Team
JDTII 2-1 KL  
DRB-Hicom 1-1 PKNS

Today

SPA v Kuantan

MPL Match Day 20 Preview: A quick preview

Today is the 20th Match Day of the Malaysia Premier League season, with only two games remaining. Kedah pretty much leading the table and almost certain for the coveted league title as well as promotion to the Super League with 42 points so far, four points difference to the second placed, T-Team followed by Penang in third while PKNS have an outside chance for promotion.

Kedah playing away at Paroi tonight against the seventh-placed NS Matrix. The Red Hawk currently unbeaten in 12 matches, while the home side have lost twice in a row so far. Despite the unbeaten record, Kedah will be playing without the services of captain Khairul Helmi Johari and Syazwan Tajudin as both are suspended from the match. The verdict: Due to the recent defeats, Negeri Sembilan might fancy a draw tonight.

Penang will welcome the out-of-form Sabah, desperately for three points today in order to put pressure over the second-placed T-Team. The Panthers who won a narrow 1-0 win over NS Matrix in the previous match and currently unbeaten in 3 matches is expected to continue with the impressive trio Hilton, Azinee Taib and Faiz Subri. 

While Sabah have nothing to chase any more this season after winless in 6 matches that resulted a slip up from first to sixth placed means their title bid is all but over. The Rhinos might even make things easier for the home side as they set to play without all their foreign players with the controversial El Haji Diouf suspended, while Abdoulaye Faye, Joel Chianese and Eamon Zayed all due to injury. The Verdict: Penang all the way

T-Team set to continue their unbeaten run as they visit 9th placed UiTM in Shah Alam. The Titans should have no trouble as they must collect the maximum points in order not to lose their place to the third-placed Penang. The only setback for them is the absence of the star striker Farhod Tadjiev who unable to play due to ACL injury. The Verdict: T-Team to win

Full MPL matches

DRB-Hicom v PKNS

UiTM v T-Team

SPA v Kuantan FA

JDTII v KL

NS Matrix v Kedah

Penang v Sabah

Lions XII crowned champions of Malaysia Super League 2013

Lions XII celebrates their first ever MSL 2013 title

By thrashing the hapless Felda United, the Singaporean side clinched the league title for the first time ever since the inception of 2004 and since departing from Malaysian football 20 years ago. 

An OWN GOAL by Azrul Ahmad and goals from Shahril Ishak,  Fazrul Nawaz and Shafiq Ghani sealed the title while Felda United were on the brink of relegation with one game remaining.

Man of the Match: Shahril Ishak

Next game will be the final league match of the season before heading to the fasting month, with the newly crowned champions Lions XII will travel to Kota Bharu to contest the highly anticipated clash with the FA Cup winner Kelantan FA whilst Felda United at home need a win against the already relegated Negeri Sembilan in order to stay in the top-flight but still need a bit of luck from Terengganu FA, hoping they will beat T-Team with only two points separate between them. 

All final matches will kick-off on Saturday, July 6.

T-Team hard done by Terengganu late winner

T-Team missed chance to grab a point after a late strike from Peteh striker Farderin Kadir lift Terengganu up to seventh in Malaysia Super League table

Selangor rued missed chances

Selangor missed chances to go top of the Super League table as struggling T-Team held The Red Giants with an entertaining goalless draw at Kuala Terengganu

Man of the Match: George Boateng

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.

Friday Match Day 8 MSL 2013 Roundup

ITS A DAY TO FORGET FOLLOWING STALEMATE IN MALAYSIA SUPER LEAGUE AS A SIGN OF FATIGUE SUMMED UP THE WOEFUL RESULTS

Felda United 0-0 Johor DT

Selangor 0-0 PKNS

Negeri Sembilan 0-0 T-Team
No video as yet. The match probably disinterested people so much that they won't even look back.


P.S.: SIX incredible clean-sheets for all six teams, THREE draw, GOALLESS. Did they forget something?

Malaysia Super League 2013 Team of the Week Match Day 2

T-Team Malaysia Super League Watch

T-Team to be better than Terengganu?

Key Player: George Boateng, Caleb Folan, G. Mahathevan, Marzuki Yusof, Mazlizam Mohamad

Young Talented Player: G. Mahathevan

2012 season: Finished 8th in Malaysia Super League

Team Status Chances: Bottom half finish

Caleb Folan joins T-Team

Photo Courtesy soundoffcolumn.com

Former Hull City striker, Caleb Folan has joined Terengganu club-based T-Team on one year deal. The 30 year-old was a free agent for a while since his contract with Npower Championship side, Birmingham City expired in the summer. He will complete the two-player import quota for Malaysian Super League having previously signed midfielder Geroge Boateng.

He begins his youth career at Leeds United in 2001, but failed to make any appearance for the club. During his time with Leeds, he making seven appearances on loan to Rush & Diamonds and Hull City. He signed Chesterfield in 2003-2004 season, making in a total of 102 appearances and scoring 15 goals. He joined Wigan Athletic during January transfer window of 2006-2007 season, making 15 appearances and scoring two goals. He rejoined Hull City during the summer transfer window of  2007-2008 season, making a further 55 appearances and scored 11 goals for the club. During his time with Hull, he spent 3 months on-loan to Middlesbrough, making only one appearance. He plying his trade to Major League Soccer side Colorado Rapids in March 2011, making 26 appearances and scored 6 goals for the club. He returned to English football, signing a short-term deal with Championship side Birmingham City on a free transfer in February 2012 following a released from Colorado Rapids, making 3 appearances and scoring none for the club.

Caleb Folan with T-Team head coach, Peter Butler.

Now, he plying his trade again, this time to Malaysia in which he joined his latest club, T-Team, and will team up with the likes of Marzuki Yusof, Mazlizam Mohamad, and G. Mahathevan.  

T-Team sealed the signing of George Boateng

Photo Courtesy www.ammboi.com

T-Team has announced the signing of the Dutch-born Ghanaian midfielder George Boateng from free transfer. The 37 year old who left Nottingham Forest in June with only made five appearances for Forest, said he was delighted to signed for the club based Terengganu and excited with the prospect of working together with the club new manager, Peter Butler, who have just sealed the contract with the club few days ago, from parent club Terengganu FA.

Boateng begin his professional career in 1994 with the Dutch side Excelsior, making 9 appearances before turn up for Feyenoord a season later for 68 appearances. He later spent his majority of a career in England from 1999 onwards , playing with the likes of Coventry City, Middlebrough, Aston Villa and Hull City until 2010. He then played for Greek club, Skoda Xanthi for a season and another season in England for Nottingham Forest before plying trade to Malaysia.