Cambodia's Preach Khan Reach (PKR) FC marked their entry into the M-League with a sluggish 2-1 victory over Penang in Saturday's FA Cup first round match.
Prior to the team's arrival in Kuala Lumpur two days ago, the players did not train as they were more interested in partying following their 2-1 victory over NagaCorp FC to retain their Hun Sen Cup on Feb 12.
Coach Sam Vandeth said his players partied continuously before boarding the flight to Kuala Lumpur.
"My players did not give their best today (Saturday) as they were tired. We partied a lot after our success in the Hun Sen Cup," Vandeth said at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil on Saturday.
"We are, however, happy to make a winning start in the FA Cup. Malaysian football is on the rise and we are honoured to be playing in this tournament.
"My team only had two days of practice before this match. We will be better prepared for the second round."
After making several schoolboy errors inside Penang's penalty box, PKR finally took the lead in the 28th minute through Phanny Ratha before Prak Mony Udom added their second by latching onto a through pass before flicking the ball over goalkeeper Shukor Abd Malek in the 86th minute.
Penang captain Hasmawi Hassan scored a consolation goal two minutes before time.
PKR will face KL SPA FC in the two-leg second round tie on March 2 and 10, while Penang make their debut in the FAM League on March 4.
FA Cup results: Sime Darby 2 Sabah 0, Felda Utd 0 Pahang 1.
Monday, 20 February 2012
Sime Darby FC and Pahang cause upset wins in FA Cup
Premier League Sime Darby FC and Pahang stunned Super League Sabah and Felda United 2-0 and 1-0 respectively in the first round of the FA Cup yesterday.
Pahang midfielder Mohd Hafiz Kamal rifled in a free-kick in the 41st minute to down Felda United 1-0 at the Hang Tuah Stadium in Malacca.
Sime Darby beat Sabah 2-0 with goals from defender Mohd Shazlan Alias in the 40th minute and Liberian striker Patrick Wleh five minutes later at the Selayang MC Stadium.
Sime Darby coach Ismail Zakaria was proud of his players who gave a disciplined performance against the much heralded Rhinos.
“It wasn’t easy, but my boys did really well and I’m proud of their performance,” said Ismail.
“Sabah play in the Super League and obviously were the favourites. But my players followed our game plan to stay compact and disciplined to win the match,” said Ismail
“We will take it one match at a time although the FA Cup isn’t our main target this season. Playing in the Cup will enable my team to mature faster.”
Sime Darby next meet fellow Premier League side USM FC in the second round at the USM Stadium on March 10.
Pahang will take on Super League side T-Team at the Sultan Ismail Nasiruddin Shah Stadium in Kuala Terengganu.
Ismail does not see their next rivals as easy prey although Sime Darby thrashed USM FC 4-1 in a Premeir League match on Feb 10.
“We have beaten them before but that doesn’t mean it will be a walk in the park for us,” said Ismail.
“We have to remember that anything can happen in a knock-out competition and tread carefully.”
Pahang midfielder Mohd Hafiz Kamal rifled in a free-kick in the 41st minute to down Felda United 1-0 at the Hang Tuah Stadium in Malacca.
Sime Darby beat Sabah 2-0 with goals from defender Mohd Shazlan Alias in the 40th minute and Liberian striker Patrick Wleh five minutes later at the Selayang MC Stadium.
Sime Darby coach Ismail Zakaria was proud of his players who gave a disciplined performance against the much heralded Rhinos.
“It wasn’t easy, but my boys did really well and I’m proud of their performance,” said Ismail.
“Sabah play in the Super League and obviously were the favourites. But my players followed our game plan to stay compact and disciplined to win the match,” said Ismail
“We will take it one match at a time although the FA Cup isn’t our main target this season. Playing in the Cup will enable my team to mature faster.”
Sime Darby next meet fellow Premier League side USM FC in the second round at the USM Stadium on March 10.
Pahang will take on Super League side T-Team at the Sultan Ismail Nasiruddin Shah Stadium in Kuala Terengganu.
Ismail does not see their next rivals as easy prey although Sime Darby thrashed USM FC 4-1 in a Premeir League match on Feb 10.
“We have beaten them before but that doesn’t mean it will be a walk in the park for us,” said Ismail.
“We have to remember that anything can happen in a knock-out competition and tread carefully.”
Defending champions Terengganu thrash Police in FA Cup
Defending champions Terengganu sounded a clear warning that they intend to keep the FA Cup by thrashing Police 4-0 in the first round at the Sultan Ismail Stadium on Saturday night.
Strikers Abdul Manaf Mamat (two goals) and Abdul Hadi Yahya finally found the net this season after firing blanks in Super League action while in-form hitman Francis Forkey Doe completed the rout.
Coach Mat Zan Mat Aris said the big win was just the tonic his team needed to regain their confidence after a poor run of results in the league.
“The players, especially Manaf and Hadi, really needed this game to regain their scoring touch.
“I’m delighted as they worked hard throughout the game. It shows that we are almost back to our best,” he said.
The Turtles have stumbled in recent matches, losing 1-0 to Kelantan and drawing 1-1 with Kedah, but Mat Zan feels yesterday’s win is the turning point of their season.
“We could have scored more goals but I’m satisfied with the overall performance,” he said.
“The midfield, especially Ismail Faruqi, was outstanding, supplying the strikers with sublime passes all over the park,” he said.
Mat Zan was even more bullish as the Turtles had earned the big win despite the absence of their entire starting back-line. Muslim Ahmad and ZubirAzmi are with the national Under-23 pre-Olympic team while Faizal Muhammad and captain Marzuki Yusof are injured.
“The team showed great quality and fighting spirit… that is what is needed to win matches.
“We will definitely build on this to make a run for all the trophies available,” he said.
Mat Zan has already set his sights on the team’s second round opponents Perak, who beat them in the league.
“We will be looking for payback against Perak. Revenge will be sweet,” he said.
Strikers Abdul Manaf Mamat (two goals) and Abdul Hadi Yahya finally found the net this season after firing blanks in Super League action while in-form hitman Francis Forkey Doe completed the rout.
Coach Mat Zan Mat Aris said the big win was just the tonic his team needed to regain their confidence after a poor run of results in the league.
“The players, especially Manaf and Hadi, really needed this game to regain their scoring touch.
“I’m delighted as they worked hard throughout the game. It shows that we are almost back to our best,” he said.
The Turtles have stumbled in recent matches, losing 1-0 to Kelantan and drawing 1-1 with Kedah, but Mat Zan feels yesterday’s win is the turning point of their season.
“We could have scored more goals but I’m satisfied with the overall performance,” he said.
“The midfield, especially Ismail Faruqi, was outstanding, supplying the strikers with sublime passes all over the park,” he said.
Mat Zan was even more bullish as the Turtles had earned the big win despite the absence of their entire starting back-line. Muslim Ahmad and ZubirAzmi are with the national Under-23 pre-Olympic team while Faizal Muhammad and captain Marzuki Yusof are injured.
“The team showed great quality and fighting spirit… that is what is needed to win matches.
“We will definitely build on this to make a run for all the trophies available,” he said.
Mat Zan has already set his sights on the team’s second round opponents Perak, who beat them in the league.
“We will be looking for payback against Perak. Revenge will be sweet,” he said.
Selangor striker Amri Yahyah scores his 100th goal for team
Selangor captain Mohd Amri Yahyah notched his 100th goal for Selangor in the 4-0 demolition of Shahzan Muda in the first round of the FA Cup in Temerloh on Saturday.
Amri completed his historic milestone with a header in the 81st minute to join Selangor legends Datuk Ghani Minhat (over 300 goals), Datuk Mokhtar Dahari (177) Azman Adnan (159) and Zainal Abidin Hassan (125) in the illustrious 100-goal club.
Selangor’s new signing Bosko Balaban opened the scoring in the 21st minute, while midfielder Mohd Safiq Rahim bagged a brace in the 65th and 72nd.
Amri said he will keep on scoring and playing for Selangor for as long as he is wanted.
“I’m happy that my first goal of the season is also my 100th goal for Selangor. It’s a special moment for me,” said the 31-year-old attacking midfielder.
“My personal target for this season is 17 goals to help the team end our title drought. I think it is an achievable target as I’m playing in my preferred role as a supporting striker behind Balaban.
“I’m confident that our strike-rate will improve as Balaban gets into shape. I hit my personal best of 23 goals in 2009 when I was playing as the supporting striker so I hope I’ll be able to do it again.”
Amri, who has donned Selangor’s famous red and yellow colours for 11 years, has scored 59 goals in the Super League, 22 in the Malaysia Cup and 19 in the FA Cup.
The Tanjung Karang lad started his career with Selangor in 2001 at the age of 20. He has been one of the mainstays of the team ever since and was appointed captain in 2009.
On the performance against FAM Cup side Shahzan Muda, Amri said the team are still not at their best despite winning two consecutive matches after a poor start in the Super League.
The Red Giants are eighth in the league with nine points from two wins, three draws and two defeats. But Amri believes that the wins over their bogey teams Kelantan and T-team prove that they can be serious contenders this season.
“We are still far from our best but we are slowly getting our form back, Balaban also needs a bit more time to fit in,” said Amri.
Amri completed his historic milestone with a header in the 81st minute to join Selangor legends Datuk Ghani Minhat (over 300 goals), Datuk Mokhtar Dahari (177) Azman Adnan (159) and Zainal Abidin Hassan (125) in the illustrious 100-goal club.
Selangor’s new signing Bosko Balaban opened the scoring in the 21st minute, while midfielder Mohd Safiq Rahim bagged a brace in the 65th and 72nd.
Amri said he will keep on scoring and playing for Selangor for as long as he is wanted.
“I’m happy that my first goal of the season is also my 100th goal for Selangor. It’s a special moment for me,” said the 31-year-old attacking midfielder.
“My personal target for this season is 17 goals to help the team end our title drought. I think it is an achievable target as I’m playing in my preferred role as a supporting striker behind Balaban.
“I’m confident that our strike-rate will improve as Balaban gets into shape. I hit my personal best of 23 goals in 2009 when I was playing as the supporting striker so I hope I’ll be able to do it again.”
Amri, who has donned Selangor’s famous red and yellow colours for 11 years, has scored 59 goals in the Super League, 22 in the Malaysia Cup and 19 in the FA Cup.
The Tanjung Karang lad started his career with Selangor in 2001 at the age of 20. He has been one of the mainstays of the team ever since and was appointed captain in 2009.
On the performance against FAM Cup side Shahzan Muda, Amri said the team are still not at their best despite winning two consecutive matches after a poor start in the Super League.
The Red Giants are eighth in the league with nine points from two wins, three draws and two defeats. But Amri believes that the wins over their bogey teams Kelantan and T-team prove that they can be serious contenders this season.
“We are still far from our best but we are slowly getting our form back, Balaban also needs a bit more time to fit in,” said Amri.
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