Negeri Sembilan opened its 2012 M-League campaign in style by beating Kelantan 2-1 to win the Charity Shield (Sultan Ahmad Shah Cup) at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil here Saturday night.
Kelantan, the Super League champion last season and winner of the Charity Shield last season after beating Selangor 2-0, failed in its bid to make it two consecutive Charity Shield wins.
However, it was Kelantan who drew first blood when last season's Most Valuable Player (MVP) Norshahrul Idlan Talaha put his team in front in the 20th minute after fine work by their Lebanese import Mohd Ghaddar.
Negeri Sembilan, the defending Malaysia Cup champion who had incidentally beaten Kelantan to lift the trophy however, refused to let the goal affect their play after its efforts to equalise before the break was futile.
Cameroon striker Jean Emmanuel Effa Owona, the only foreign player in the Negeri side who had a shaky start and missed a few early chances including a goal bound header that was cleared of the goal line, came alive 10 minutes later to strike the equaliser.
Jean Emmanuel who was clearly a menace in the Kelantan defence, repaid a huge chunk of the money invested by Negeri Sembilan to sign him, by rising head and shoulders above the rest to nod in Negeri's second goal in the 63rd minute which eventually turned out to be the winner.
The second goal especially was a well worked effort by the Negeri side when hardworking S. Kunalan played a short pass to Tengku Qayyum Ubaidillah's who made a pin-point cross to the Cameroon striker to beat Khairul Fahmi Che Mat in goal.
Tengku Mahkota Kelantan Tengku Muhammad Faiz Petra later presented the prizes to the winners while Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) Deputy President Tan Sri Annuar Musa who is also the Kelantan FA President and Negeri Sembilan Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan were in attendance.
KELANTAN:
Khairul Fahmi Che Mat, Azizi Matt Rose, S. Subramaniam (Nik Shahrul Azim Halim), Mohd Farisham Ismail, Mohd Aziz Ismail, Mohd Shakir Shaari, Norfarhan Mohamad, Indra Putra Mahayuddin, Norshahrul Idlan Talaha, Antwi Dennis Agyare (Mohd Badhri Mohd Radzi), Muhamad Ghaddar.
N. SEMBILAN:
Farizal Marlias, Tengku Qayyum Ubaidillah (Mohd Nazrin Mohd Nawi), Norhafiz Zamani Misbah, Rashid Mamud, Muzaki Abu Bakar, Abdul Halim Zainal, G. Mahathevan, Shahurain Abu Samah, S. Kunanlan, Ahmad Shakir Md Ali (Mohd Firdaus Azizul), Jean Emmanuel Effa Owona.
Showing posts with label Charity Shield. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Charity Shield. Show all posts
Sunday, 8 January 2012
Saturday, 7 January 2012
Negeri Sembilan rely on youngsters in Charity Shield
Negeri Sembilan have much to prove this season, starting with today’s Charity Shield clash against Kelantan at the National Stadium, after being severely weakened by the departure of eight key players from last season’s Malaysia Cup-winning squad.
Coach Azraai Khor Abdullah has placed his faith on a number of youngsters after failing to strengthen his squad in the off-season, with Negeri potentially falling short of cover should any of their seasoned players get injured or suspended.
They only have one foreign player in Cameroon forward Jean-Emmanuel Effa Owona after the FA of Malaysia did not approve the signing of Brazilian defender Marquen Gonçalves Ferreira although Azraai stressed that Negeri are ready for the battle ahead.
“We basically have a new line-up this season with quite a few young players after a number of senior players moved on to other teams. But we are ready for the 2012 season and we want to win the Charity Shield to give us confidence,” said Azraai at yesterday’s pre-match press conference at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil.
Apart from Owona, the only other significant additions are defender Rashid Mamud from Felda United, Kuala Lumpur duo Norismaidham Ismail and Nazrin Nawi and striker Ahmad Shakir Ali from Kedah.
Defender Muszaki Abu Bakar, midfielder Bukhairi Idris from Young Tigers B, goalkeeper Kaharuddin Abdul Rahman and strikers Firdaus Azizul and Shakir are among the young brigade who Azraai intends to give more opportunities to this season.
Azraai, who took over Negeri after a bad start under Wan Jamak Wan Hassan last year, is confident that after being given the chance to shape the squad to his liking, his team will be able to challenge for honours.
“When I came in last season, the team was already there, and a lot of players were injured. This season, we start afresh and I had the chance to set up a new team. The young players may not be as good as the senior stars who have left but they have a lot of potential.
“I believe in the youngsters because at this age they are more willing to learn and are hungry for success. We are also giving more attention to development while expecting to deliver results at the same time.
“They are all full of potential and have much room for improvement,” added Azraai, who has yet to win the Charity Shield.
While Negeri are eager to get their hands on the Sultan Ahmad Shah Cup, Kelantan coach Peter Butler’s priority appears firmly fixed on the Super League.
Butler eschewed the chance to train at the National Stadium yesterday, preferring to practise on the artificial turf at the nearby National Sports Council (NSC) to get a grip on the surface in preparation for their Super League opener against LionsXII at the Jalan Besar Stadium on Tuesday.
“Tomorrow’s (today’s) game is important in terms of preparation for Tuesday. I am already thinking of next week and we are totally focused on that. We are thankful to NSC for allowing us to use the Astroturf,” said Butler, who stressed that it did not mean Kelantan will give Negeri an easy ride tonight.
“We respect Negeri as the Malaysia Cup champions, a lot of people say we are the favourites but I think it will be a 50-50 game.”
Coach Azraai Khor Abdullah has placed his faith on a number of youngsters after failing to strengthen his squad in the off-season, with Negeri potentially falling short of cover should any of their seasoned players get injured or suspended.
They only have one foreign player in Cameroon forward Jean-Emmanuel Effa Owona after the FA of Malaysia did not approve the signing of Brazilian defender Marquen Gonçalves Ferreira although Azraai stressed that Negeri are ready for the battle ahead.
“We basically have a new line-up this season with quite a few young players after a number of senior players moved on to other teams. But we are ready for the 2012 season and we want to win the Charity Shield to give us confidence,” said Azraai at yesterday’s pre-match press conference at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil.
Apart from Owona, the only other significant additions are defender Rashid Mamud from Felda United, Kuala Lumpur duo Norismaidham Ismail and Nazrin Nawi and striker Ahmad Shakir Ali from Kedah.
Defender Muszaki Abu Bakar, midfielder Bukhairi Idris from Young Tigers B, goalkeeper Kaharuddin Abdul Rahman and strikers Firdaus Azizul and Shakir are among the young brigade who Azraai intends to give more opportunities to this season.
Azraai, who took over Negeri after a bad start under Wan Jamak Wan Hassan last year, is confident that after being given the chance to shape the squad to his liking, his team will be able to challenge for honours.
“When I came in last season, the team was already there, and a lot of players were injured. This season, we start afresh and I had the chance to set up a new team. The young players may not be as good as the senior stars who have left but they have a lot of potential.
“I believe in the youngsters because at this age they are more willing to learn and are hungry for success. We are also giving more attention to development while expecting to deliver results at the same time.
“They are all full of potential and have much room for improvement,” added Azraai, who has yet to win the Charity Shield.
While Negeri are eager to get their hands on the Sultan Ahmad Shah Cup, Kelantan coach Peter Butler’s priority appears firmly fixed on the Super League.
Butler eschewed the chance to train at the National Stadium yesterday, preferring to practise on the artificial turf at the nearby National Sports Council (NSC) to get a grip on the surface in preparation for their Super League opener against LionsXII at the Jalan Besar Stadium on Tuesday.
“Tomorrow’s (today’s) game is important in terms of preparation for Tuesday. I am already thinking of next week and we are totally focused on that. We are thankful to NSC for allowing us to use the Astroturf,” said Butler, who stressed that it did not mean Kelantan will give Negeri an easy ride tonight.
“We respect Negeri as the Malaysia Cup champions, a lot of people say we are the favourites but I think it will be a 50-50 game.”
Kelantan favourites to beat Negeri Sembilan in Charity Shield match
One team let their stars go while the other welcomed their former stalwarts back with open arms. The Charity Shield match between Kelantan and Negri Sembilan tonight. the curtain-raiser to the new M-League season, will tell who got it right.
The Negri Sembilan FA (NSFA) did not try to discourage their top players from joining big-spending Premier League side Armed Forces while the Kelantan FA (Kafa) rolled out the red carpet for their former stars and coach Peter Butler, who had walked out on the Red Warriors.
Fans will get a sneak preview of what is in store for the 2012 Super League when the two giants clash for the Charity Shield at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil.
Negri coach Mohd Azraai Khor Abdullah is unperturbed by the big name departures following their Malaysia Cup–winning success last season.
“We are not going to cry over those who left us. Their absence will not weaken Negri Sembilan. We still have the core players in the team and capable replacements from the state back-up squad,” said Mohd Azraai.
Among the players who left the Deer are twins Mohd Aidil Zafuan and Mohd Zaquan Adha Abdul Razak, goalkeeper Mohd Farisal Harun, defender Mohd Irwan Fadli Idrus and Malaysia Cup final hero Hairuddin Omar.
But Negri remain confident in the team they have and are bent on starting the season on the right footing.
“It will be a perfect start if we beat Kelantan as Negri have not won the Charity Shield before,” said Azraai.
The Deer’s Cameroon striker Jean-Emmanuel Effa Owona will be the player to watch following the departure of Hairuddin and Mohd Zaquan. Besides Owona, Negri can also rely on the likes of S. Kunalan and Shahurain Abu Samah to play pivotal roles in attack together with inspirational skipper Mohd Shukor Adan.
Kelantan, in a surprise move, re-opened their door to Indra Putra Mahayuddin, Mohd Norfarhan Mohd and Aziz Mat Rose, who had controversially ditched them for Terengganu T-Team last season.
Kafa initially refused to let the three go but were eventually forced to release them to T-Team.
Indra, Mohd Norfahan and Azizi played an inspiring role for Kelantan under former coach B. Sathianathan when they won the Malaysia Cup for the first time in 2010. Last year, Kelantan lifted their maiden Charity Shield after beating Selangor 2-0. The Red Warriors went on to lift the Super League title but bowed out to Terengganu in both the Malaysia Cup (quarter-finals) and FA Cup (final).
Kelantan also had no qualms about welcoming back Englishman Butler after he had left them in the lurch during the pre-season to join Myanmar clubside Yangon United in 2009. It is obvious the east coast side have opted to rely on experienced hands for the new season.
Kelantan are again the team to watch. They have a formidable set of players led by skipper Mohd Badhri Radzi and two-time MPV of the Year Norshahrul Idlan Talaha. They also have a pillar of strength in national goalkeeper Khairul Fahmi Che Mat.
Negri certainly look like the underdogs tonight.
The Negri Sembilan FA (NSFA) did not try to discourage their top players from joining big-spending Premier League side Armed Forces while the Kelantan FA (Kafa) rolled out the red carpet for their former stars and coach Peter Butler, who had walked out on the Red Warriors.
Fans will get a sneak preview of what is in store for the 2012 Super League when the two giants clash for the Charity Shield at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil.
Negri coach Mohd Azraai Khor Abdullah is unperturbed by the big name departures following their Malaysia Cup–winning success last season.
“We are not going to cry over those who left us. Their absence will not weaken Negri Sembilan. We still have the core players in the team and capable replacements from the state back-up squad,” said Mohd Azraai.
Among the players who left the Deer are twins Mohd Aidil Zafuan and Mohd Zaquan Adha Abdul Razak, goalkeeper Mohd Farisal Harun, defender Mohd Irwan Fadli Idrus and Malaysia Cup final hero Hairuddin Omar.
But Negri remain confident in the team they have and are bent on starting the season on the right footing.
“It will be a perfect start if we beat Kelantan as Negri have not won the Charity Shield before,” said Azraai.
The Deer’s Cameroon striker Jean-Emmanuel Effa Owona will be the player to watch following the departure of Hairuddin and Mohd Zaquan. Besides Owona, Negri can also rely on the likes of S. Kunalan and Shahurain Abu Samah to play pivotal roles in attack together with inspirational skipper Mohd Shukor Adan.
Kelantan, in a surprise move, re-opened their door to Indra Putra Mahayuddin, Mohd Norfarhan Mohd and Aziz Mat Rose, who had controversially ditched them for Terengganu T-Team last season.
Kafa initially refused to let the three go but were eventually forced to release them to T-Team.
Indra, Mohd Norfahan and Azizi played an inspiring role for Kelantan under former coach B. Sathianathan when they won the Malaysia Cup for the first time in 2010. Last year, Kelantan lifted their maiden Charity Shield after beating Selangor 2-0. The Red Warriors went on to lift the Super League title but bowed out to Terengganu in both the Malaysia Cup (quarter-finals) and FA Cup (final).
Kelantan also had no qualms about welcoming back Englishman Butler after he had left them in the lurch during the pre-season to join Myanmar clubside Yangon United in 2009. It is obvious the east coast side have opted to rely on experienced hands for the new season.
Kelantan are again the team to watch. They have a formidable set of players led by skipper Mohd Badhri Radzi and two-time MPV of the Year Norshahrul Idlan Talaha. They also have a pillar of strength in national goalkeeper Khairul Fahmi Che Mat.
Negri certainly look like the underdogs tonight.
Friday, 6 January 2012
Negri Sembilan ready to face Kelantan in Charity Shield
Coach Azraai Khor has conceded that Negri Sembilan will start the Charity Shield against Kelantan as underdogs in the season curtain raiser on Saturday.
Kelantan won the Super League last season finishing three points ahead of Terengganu, while Negri overcame a bad start to the season and managed to lift the Malaysia Cup.
The east coast side were initially supposed to host the match but the FA of Malaysia (FAM) decided on moving it to the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil in view of the inclement weather in Kota Baru.
"Kelantan at the moment are on top. They are a strong team and have bought four or five good players," said Azraai yesterday.
"I think we are very close but at the moment they are still above us."
Negri suffered a blow when Brazilian centre-back Marquen Nuquen Goncalves' registration was rejected by FAM, leaving them with a huge hole in the heart of their defence in the absence of Aidil Zafuan Radzak, who has joined Premier League outfit Armed Forces.
"Kelantan have a huge following and playing them in Bukit Jalil will not give us any advantage.
"We, however, will treat the match like a final. We want a good start before we face Selangor in our opening Super League match."
Azraai has a mixed squad of youth and experience with Shukor Adan, Idris Karim, Norhafiz Zamani Misbah, Shahurain Abu Samah, S. Kunanlan, Farizal Marlias and Cameroon import Jean Emmanauel Effa Owona forming the core of the team.
Negri and Kelantan will only be playing for the shield and not for points, unlike previous seasons, on Saturday.
Tickets are priced at RM30 (grand stand) and RM15 (open).
Kelantan won the Super League last season finishing three points ahead of Terengganu, while Negri overcame a bad start to the season and managed to lift the Malaysia Cup.
The east coast side were initially supposed to host the match but the FA of Malaysia (FAM) decided on moving it to the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil in view of the inclement weather in Kota Baru.
"Kelantan at the moment are on top. They are a strong team and have bought four or five good players," said Azraai yesterday.
"I think we are very close but at the moment they are still above us."
Negri suffered a blow when Brazilian centre-back Marquen Nuquen Goncalves' registration was rejected by FAM, leaving them with a huge hole in the heart of their defence in the absence of Aidil Zafuan Radzak, who has joined Premier League outfit Armed Forces.
"Kelantan have a huge following and playing them in Bukit Jalil will not give us any advantage.
"We, however, will treat the match like a final. We want a good start before we face Selangor in our opening Super League match."
Azraai has a mixed squad of youth and experience with Shukor Adan, Idris Karim, Norhafiz Zamani Misbah, Shahurain Abu Samah, S. Kunanlan, Farizal Marlias and Cameroon import Jean Emmanauel Effa Owona forming the core of the team.
Negri and Kelantan will only be playing for the shield and not for points, unlike previous seasons, on Saturday.
Tickets are priced at RM30 (grand stand) and RM15 (open).
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