Sarawak beat PKNS to maintain good form

Sarawak shot to the top of the Super League for a while after beating PKNS 2-0 as a late Hafiz Kamal goal gave Malaysia Cup champions Pahang a 3-2 win over Darul Ta'zim  in Kuantan yesterday.

Promoted side Sarawak joined six teams on six points to lead only on goals scored after fans flooded the Selayang Stadium and saw their team go 2-0 up inside 16 minutes thanks to two long throw-ins by Ronny Harun.

Milorad Janjus headed in the first in the ninth minute past an unsighted PKNS goalkeeper Zamir Selamat before Gabor Gyepes repeated the trick seven minutes later.

Joseph Kalang Tie thought he made it 3-0 when he had the ball in the net in the 49th minute but it was correctly ruled out when he handled it in the process.

Janjus then missed a sitter, blazing over the bar when Zamir could only parry Ashru Chuchu's shot before the goalkeeper denied the Serbian from point-blank range.

At the other end, Fadzley Rahim's fingertips steered PKNS hot-shot Patrick Wleh's drive wide before Gyepes' goalline clearance denied the Liberian.

Fadzley tipped Khairu Azrin Razali's looping header against the bar in the 82nd minute to deny PKNS a consolation.

Fans were segregated by barbed wire at the Darulmakmur Stadium as star-studded Darul Ta'zim's winless run in the league extended to three matches.

Hafiz struck deep into stoppage-time when he connected to Azidan Sarudin's free-kick to send the home fans wild.

Argentinian Matias Conti gave Pahang the lead in the 13th minute when he capitalised on a mix up in the visitors' defence to slot the ball past on-rushing goalkeeper Norazlan Razali.

Pahang almost made it 2-0 seven minutes later when Fauzi Roslan's header rattled the Darul Ta'zim crossbar, a miss which proved costly as Pablo Aimar turned in Amri Yahyah's pass for the equaliser on the stroke of half-time.

However, Fauzi Roslan restored the lead for Pahang two minutes into the second half before substitute Safee Sali drew the visitors level with his first goal of the season in the 73rd minute.

Selangor beat Sime Darby to lead Super League

Brazilian Paulo Rangel fired Selangor to the top of the Super League standings with a brace in a 2-1 win over Sime Darby at the Selayang Stadium after falling behind to an early goal.

Perak tripped up Kelantan 2-1 in Ipoh to climb above LionsXII, who drew with Terengganu 0-0, and Darul Ta'zim while a late goal by Khairan Ezuan Razali moved T-Team off the bottom after a 2-2 draw with Armed Forces.

Selangor, smarting from Tuesday's FA Cup loss to Sarawak, fielded an unchanged line up but were penalised for poor defending after just 72 seconds when Failee Ghazli rifled in the opener from Farderin Kadir's cross.

K. Gurusamy's responded for Selangor with a shot outside the box which hit the post before Rangel grabbed the equaliser five minutes before the break after Sime Darby's defenders failed to cut out Bunyamin Umar's low cross which allowed the Brazilian time to control the ball and pick his spot.

Steve Pantelidis was ruled offside when he headed in Junior Aparecido's free-kick four minutes after the break but Rangel was on hand to head in Hadi Yahya's cross five minutes from time to top the Super League scoring charts with five goals.

Selangor went two points clear of Forces and Terengganu as Sime Darby, who only had one foreign signing in Uzbek midfielder Dilshod Sharofetdinov available, dropped to the bottom of the table with their third league defeat.

Perak continued their surprise start to the season with two youngsters scoring their goals at the Perak Stadium.

An error by Kelantan goalkeeper Khairul Fahmi Che Mat in the 12th minute, when he flapped at the corner kick, allowed Ahmad Sukri Hamid to knock the ball in for his first senior goal.

Mohamed Shawky drew Kelantan level 10 minutes after the break but it was another Perak youngster, Khairul Asyraf Sahizah, who replaced Zelimir Terkes earlier, who scored with a header 12 minutes from time.

T-Team left it late to grab a point against Forces at the Sultan Ismail Nasiruddin Shah Stadium as the action shifted to the field after last Tuesday's off-pitch incident in Johor Baru dominated headlines.

Azlan Ismail scored off a Badrul Hisyam Morris pass after 12 minutes to put T-Team ahead but a rocket by Norfazly Alias from 40 metres made it 1-1 five minutes before half-time.

Bruno Martelotto put Forces 2-1 up on the hour mark with a close-range effort from a Venice Elphi pass before T-Team goalkeeper Shahril Saari kept the host in the game when he saved Juan Manuel Arostegui's 67th-minute penalty.

Khairan then stepped up to slam in a loose ball inside the penalty box in stoppage-time to salvage a point for T-Team.

Super League champions LionsXII were held 0-0 by Terengganu at the Jalan Besar Stadium as Shahfiq Ghani coming closest to breaking the deadlock in the second half with a free-kick.

Johor Darul Takzim makes police report against T-Team

The tables have been turned as the Johor Football Association (JFA) lodged a police report alleging that Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) coach Cesar Jimenez was assaulted by a fitness coach and a striker from Terengganu's T-Team.

In the report lodged at the Johor Baru Sentral police station on Tuesday, Jimenez alleged that he was assaulted by T-Team striker Evaldo Goncalves and fitness coach Stefano Impagliazzo.

He was accompanied by Datuk Baljit Singh Sidhu, a lawyer appointed by JFA , their honorary secretary Mohd Fahmy Yahya and several officials.

“We are here to accompany him (Jimenez) to lodge the report detailing that he was assaulted by the T-Team player wearing jersey No. 16 and their fitness coach," Baljit said.

According to him, Jimenez claims that he was the victim yet the facts had been twisted by T-Team and their officials.

The two teams were in the Larkin Stadium tunnel, trooping out at half-time during their FA Cup second-round clash on Saturday, with JDT leading 2-1, when the incident happened. Play was stopped when T-Team refused to come out in the second half.

”In the incident, his (Jimenez) T-shirt collar was pulled by the fitness coach (Impagliazzo) and he was also verbally abused by Impagliazzo," said Baljit.

He said the report was made under Section 323 of the Penal Code for assault and Section 506 of Criminal Code for criminal intimidation.

Similarly, Baljit said that the JFA would not hesitate to take legal action against those who were found to be spreading rumours or lies in the incident.

“We are giving our full co-operation to the police and the Football Association of Malaysia to investigate the case," he added.

Johor Baru South OCPD ACP Sulaiman Salleh confirmed the report.

On Sunday, T-Team striker Goncalves, defender Fabio Flor de Azevado, Impagliazzo and the club’s chief operating officer Mohd Syahrizan Mohd Zain lodged reports at the Kuala Terengganu district police headquarters pertaining to the incident.

The Brazilian striker Goncalves alleged that he was punched in the nose by a Johor FA top official while Impagliazzo was kicked in the groin by the official’s escort in the Larkin Stadium tunnel here.

T-Team makes police reports over assault of players

T-Team have lodged police reports alleging that a top Johor FA official had assaulted two of their players and a fitness coach.

Striker Evaldo Goncalves, defender Fabio Flor de Azevado, fitness coach Stefano Impagliazzo and the club’s chief operating officer Mohd Syahrizan Mohd Zain lodged the reports at the Kuala Terengganu district police headquarters at 11pm on Sunday.

It is learnt that the reports were lodged to ensure “the safety of T-Team’s players” and named the “president of the Johor FA” as the perpetrator.

The reports state that Brazilian striker Goncalves was punched in the nose by the top official while Impagliazzo was kicked in the groin by the official’s escort in the Larkin Stadium tunnel when the two teams were trooping out at half-time during their FA Cup second round clash on Saturday. JDT were leading 2-1 at that time.

T-Team refused to come out for the second half and the match was abandoned.

Brazilian defender de Azevado also lodged a report claiming that he was verbally abused and threatened by the same official.

T-Team coach Azraai Khor Abdullah expressed hope that the authorities would act on the incident immediately.

“There’s nothing more we can do ... we’ll leave it to the authorities to handle it. For now, I want my players to put the incident behind them and focus on their football.

“We have a big match against Armed Forces this Saturday and I want the players to be in the right state of mind,” said Azraai, adding that team morale had not been too affected by the incident.

As for the victims, Azraai said that he understood the concern over their safety in the country.

“We cannot really stop them if they feel unsafe here. But they are good professionals and I think they will get over it,” said Azraai.

Sarawak coach not happy over match schedules

Sarawak head coach Robert Alberts says that the Super League fixtures are somewhat “unfair” to local fans.

Speaking to reporters after the match against Sime Darby FC last Tuesday, he said that Sarawak did not get a fair share of Saturday home matches.

Such weekend matches, he noted, are vital for Sarawak fans, especially young fans, as they could have the next day (Sunday) as a rest day.

“We seem to have more Tuesday home matches than the ones on Saturday this year. This will make it harder for the fans as they will find difficulties to go to the stadium and support the team,” he added.

Matches on week days are seldom sold out at the Stadium Negeri as fans may choose to stay at home with the following day being a working and school day.

This is compounded by the fact that all Super League matches at Stadium Negeri kick off at 8.45pm and finish by 10.15pm or later.

There is also the added factor of distance.

It is challenging for some fans who live far from Kuching to travel to support the Crocs.

For the 2014 season, Sarawak get to play only five home matches on Saturdays, while the other six are on Tuesdays.

The two home matches played so far this season support Alberts’ observation.

The first against Kelantan on Jan 25 (Saturday) was played in front of a capacity crowd while a few empty seats were noticeable for the second against Sime Darby FC three days later on Jan 28 (Tue).

Coaches of Sime Darby and Armed Forces unhappy over referees

It’s only been 15 days – and four matches – since the M-League kicked off, but already there are rumblings about the poor quality of refereeing.

Already two coaches – Sime Darby FC’s Ismail Zakaria and Armed Forces’ B. Sathianathan – are in danger of being hauled up by the Football Association of Malaysia’s (FAM) disciplinary committee for criticising the referees during their teams’ recent Super League matches.

Ismail had voiced his displeasure after referee Mohd Nazmi Nasarudin awarded a questionable penalty in their 2-1 defeat to Kelantan in the opening match on Jan 18.

Sathia, meanwhile, criticised referee Suhaimi Mat Hassan’s error-filled performance after his side were knocked out 2-1 by Sime Darby in the first round of the FA Cup competition on Jan 21.

Last week, FAM disciplinary committee chairman Datuk Taufek Abdul Razak had instructed the rules and regulations committee to conduct a probe on the two coaches to see if they had breached Article 18 of the FAM disciplinary code.

Article 18 states that players and coaches cannot speak to the media without prior consent from FAM.

If found guilty, Ismail and Sathia face a minimum four-match suspension and a maximum two-year ban.

Surely something must be wrong with the standard of refereeing when you consider this: four red cards and 69 yellow cards have been brandished by the referees in just three rounds of Super League matches. That’s a total of 73 cards in 18 matches!

That works out to about four cards per game.

One match – a Super League clash between Sime Darby and Pahang played at the Selayang Stadium on Saturday – saw eight yellow cards being flashed, believe it or not!

Perhaps, Sathia and Ismail could have gone through the proper channels to voice their displeasure but one can’t just ignore the statistics either.

Ismail, who has yet to be officially charged with criticising the referee, said that he would lodge a formal complaint, together with video evidence, to FAM on the poor standard of refereeing in Kuching.

“It’s not a case of sour grapes ... we are not complaining because we lost to Sarawak,” said Ismail on Thursday.

“I accept my team’s defeat ... but the quality of refereeing is so alarming. We had two of our least aggressive players in the team getting sent off for dissent ... I find that very strange.

“I hope FAM will be more open to criticism. We are criticising because we want the standard of refereeing to improve ... it’s not a personal attack.”

Armed Forces beats Perak

Armed Forces rode their luck at times but B. Sathianathan had more than one reason to be thankful as his team held on to beat a young Perak side 1-0 in a Super League match in Selayang on Tuesday.

For one thing, it ended back-to-back defeats to Sime Darby in the FA Cup and PKNS in the league having opened their campaign with a 2-0 win over Sarawak.

Forces also managed the rare feat of winning without their top scorer of the last two seasons, Marlon Alex James, who complained of pain in the back of his knee and was not risked.

Sathianathan also saw Juan Manuel Arostegui break his duck in the Argentine's fourth appearance and did not have to call upon captain Hairuddin Omar, who remained on the bench after recovering from a hamstring injury which has delayed his 2014 debut.

"It was a great game and Perak played well. We tried to get into our rhythm, which is what has been missing," said Sathianathan, whose team failed to fully capitalise on a run of four games all played at their Selayang Stadium home.

"Sometimes we were in control and sometimes we were all over the place. It happens early in the season and Perak being so aggressive gave us problems.

"It is a relief for me and the team. We have been under pressure mentally and psychologically. We can't always play well but today there were some good combinations.

"It's just that some times we make silly mistakes, make clearances when we should play it on the ground. But I told the players that as long they give their best, I'll be satisfied."

Arostegui scored the only goal of the match in the 19th minute when he turned in a rebound after Christie Jayaseelan's shot came back off the crossbar and it needed a fingertip save from Syed Adney Syed Hussein to prevent defender Spase Dilevski from diverting the ball into his own net and preserve Forces' lead.

Forces are one of five teams on six points after three matches and are placed third in the table behind Selangor and Terengganu by virtue of having scored one goal less with goal differences identical.

Selangor loses to Singapore LionsXII again

Francis Doe's late goal gave Kelantan sole possession of top spot and the only 100 per cent record in the Super League yesterday as title rivals Darul Ta'zim and Selangor slumped to away defeats.

Kelantan took advantage of the upsets to open a three-point lead after just two rounds of matches with a 1-0 win over Sarawak, who are the only team without a point, in Kuching.

Defending champions LionsXII maintained their unbeaten record against Selangor in five meetings with a 2-1 win at the Jalan Besar Stadium thanks to Khairul Amri Kamal's stoppage time header while Kuala Terengganu T-Team stunned Darul Ta'zim 1-0.

Malaysia Cup champions Pahang also came unstuck on the road when they were upset 1-0 by unfancied Sime Darby, who also struck the woodwork twice, in Selayang.

Liberia international Doe settled a tight contest at the State Stadium in the 90th minute when he tapped in Mohammad Ghaddar's cutback after the Lebanese forward was sent clear by a precise Badhri Radzi throughball.

Darul Ta'zim failed to capitalise on their opportunities at the Sultan Ismail Nasiruddin Shah Stadium and T-Team, increasingly dominant after they broke the deadlock in the 72nd minute through Patrich Wanggai.

The Indonesian headed into the net after the ball looped up and over the visitors' defence when Evaldo Goncalves headed into the ground off a corner, just 12 minutes after Luciano Figueroa's shot bounced off the base of the post for Darul Ta'zim.

It was the second straight win for T-Team over Darul Ta'zim after their 2-1 win at Larkin in last year's Malaysia Cup.

LionsXII extended their unbeaten home record to 22 matches when Khairul Amri headed past Selangor goalkeeper Farizal Marlias from a corner-kick five minutes into injury time.

Selangor had been set to return with a point after Fitri Shazwan Raduwan's looping header over Izwan Mahbud in the 57th minute cancelled another header by Shakir Hamzah, also from a corner, a minute before half-time.

In Selayang, Pahang were left wondering what went wrong when two former Kuala Lumpur teammates combined to put Sime Darby in front five minutes after half-time.

Just two minutes after hitting the woodwork, Fahrul Razi Kamaruddin headed home left-back Farid Ramli's cross before Mahmoud Al Amnah also struck the frame of goal four minutes later as Sime Darby could have put the match to bed so much earlier.

Perak also left it late for their first win of the season after a stoppage-time strike by Brazilian forward Eliel Da Cruz Guardiano, making his first start, saw Terengganu beaten 1-0 in Ipoh.

Kelantan continue good form while Perak get first win

Kelantan maintained their perfect start to the Super League season after a late Francis Doe goal allowed them to edge Sarawak 1-0 at the State Stadium in Kuching on Saturday night.

The Liberian striker struck for the Red Warriors in the 90th minute just when the game had seemed headed for a stalemate.

Lebanese forward Mohammed Ghaddar, who fired a brace in Kelantan’s 2-0 opening day victory over PKNS last week, was the architect of the goal. Collecting a through ball from his skipper Mohd Badri Radzi, Ghaddar held off Ronny Harun before squaring the ball for Doe to tap in from close range.

Sarawak were the early aggressors but they had to wait until the 22nd minute before registering their first shot at goal. Serbian striker Milorad Janjus unleashed a long-range shot but it went straight into Kelantan goalkeeper Khairul Fahmi Che Mat’s arms.

The fast-running Sarawak attackers gave the Kelantan defenders a torrid time. Asri Chuchu managed to beat the offside trap in the 24th minute but was thwarted by Zairul Fitree’s last-ditch tackle.

Kelantan also had a narrow escape a few minutes later with Obinna Nwaneri clearing the ball off his own line after national goalkeeper Khairul had failed to clear a corner.

Khairul was beaten two minutes before half-time by a volley from Sarawak skipper Joseph Kallang Tie. But to Sarawak’s disappointment, the effort was chalked off for offside.

Kelantan’s best chance of the first half fell to Doe. Despite being unmarked in front of goal, he headed the ball straight at goalkeeper Sani Anuar.

Doe did put the ball in the Sarawak net nine minutes into the second half, but the Liberian was ruled offside.

Sarawak again held the initiative in the second period but failed to create any clear-cut scoring opportunities.

And the Crocs were made to pay for their profligacy when Doe struck in the final minute of regulation time.

At the Perak Stadium in Ipoh, the home side relied on a 90th minute winner from Eliel Guardiano to stun Terengganu 1-0. It was Perak’s first win of the campaign.

Selangor aim to win 2 trophies

Indonesia international Andik Vermansyah wants to emulate Bambang Pamungkas' achievements with Selangor as the midfielder hopes to end the former Super League winners' title drought in the M-League.

Regarded as one of Selangor's best foreign signings, Bambang led them to the treble in the 2005 season before parting ways two years later.

Known as the "Lionel Messi of Indonesia", Andik who did not play a prominent role in Indonesia's silver medal success in last month's Sea Games due to injury, chose Selangor over other offers, which included one from a J-League team, and signed a one-year deal.

"I have always wanted to play for Selangor. It has been one of my childhood dreams to play in Malaysia. Hopefully, I can contribute significantly in my first season here," said Andik after he was unveiled as a Selangor player in Shah Alam yesterday.

Selangor FA president Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim surprised fans yesterday by stating that his team's target was two trophies this season, considering that the Klang Valley giants have not tasted success since their Super League triumph in 2010.

When asked whether the target was achievable, newly appointed coach Mehmet Durakovic said: "We will try our best to do well. I really hope we can win something this season."

The former champions have five prolific goal poachers in A. Thamil Arasu, Ahmad Hazwan Bakri, Abdul Hadi Yahya, Afiq Azmi and Brazilian Paulo Rangel but do not have depth in the backline. Former A-League's Perth Glory defender Steve Pantelidis and Brazil midfielder Junior Aparecido make up the foreign signings.

However, Selangor may not have the services of Pantelidis and defender Shahrom Abdul Kalam on Saturday. Pantelidis has not trained for two weeks due to injury while Shahrom is down with dengue.

PKNS striker targets more goals

PKNS FC will not be short of goals in the Super League this season.

This is the assurance given by Liberian hotshot Patrick Ronaldinho Wleh, who has promised to complement his new striking partner from Croatia – Karlo Primorac, the 2013 Premier League Golden Boot winner with 28 goals.

“We will get the goals ... rain or shine,” warned Wleh, the club’s top scorer with 22 goals last season.

PKNS have strengthened the squad with a few new signings, including attacking midfielder Kim Dong-chan of South Korea and centreback Hamka Hamzah of Indonesia.

Wleh, who has signed a new two-year deal with PKNS until 2016, has vowed to score 27 goals this season.

“I have pledged not to miss a game this season. I want PKNS to finish in the top six in the Super League and win a Cup final ticket. The Super League is going to be really competitive, but we will be no pushovers and be among the title contenders,” he said.

“Karlo is a huge asset to the team. He is a good finisher and I like his style of play. He made an outstanding contribution with his former team, Sime Darby FC. I’m sure the two of us will make a big difference to the team.”

PKNS coach Wan Jamak Wan Hassan has a balanced line-up and a good set of players, which include Mohd Nazmi Faiz and Mohd Fauzan Dzulkifli in the engine room and the likes of skipper Helmi Remeli, Es Lizuan Zahid Amir and P. Gunalan in defence.

Wleh wants his team to get off the mark in style when they open their campaign against Terengganu at the Sultan Ismail stadium in Kuala Terengganu on Saturday.

PKNS finished eighth in their Super League debut last season. In the FA Cup, they did well to edge Lions XII in the first round before crashing out to champions Kelantan (4-2) in the second round. They failed to get past the group stages in the Malaysia Cup.

Sarawak fans asked to behave during matches

Police are advising fanatical football fans in Sarawak to keep their emotions in check.

Sarawak police commissioner Datuk Acryl Sani Abdullah Sani said it was okay to be supportive of their favourite teams but violence was a no no.

"The case of fans turning violent recently is something rare in Sarawak and it is an isolated incident," he told reporters on the sidelines of Bukit Aman director of management Datuk Mortadza Nazerene's visit to Sarawak Energy Berhad's office here Friday.

He added that following the violence that happened at  Stadium Negeri Petra Jaya here on April 7, police would beef up their presence at stadiums and also enlist the help of the General Operations Fore and People's Volunteer Corps.

L/Cpl Amzari Othman, 33, was injured in the lips after fans turned unruly and attacked policemen at the stadium that day.

Terengganu struggling without top striker Doe

The Turtles lack the cutting edge in attack without star striker Francis Forkey Doe as they lumbered to a disappointing goalless draw in the Super League match against minnows Johor FC at the Sultan Ismail Stadium here on Saturday.

Despite having the giant share in possession, the Turtles were unable to make the breakthrough against a resolute Johor FC defence.

Turtles’ striker Abdul Hadi Yahya, granted a rare starting berth due to Doe’s suspension, was the main culprit in missing several chances including a golden opportunity from two yards out late in the first half.

The match turned into a snore-fest with only two notable moments – when the Turtles had two goals disallowed for offside.

A dejected Mat Zan Mat Aris conceded his team played poorly despite dominating the proceedings.

“We failed in the final-third as our forwards were poor in their finishing. Our build-up play was good but our finishing was disappointing … it was a frustrating match,” he said.

On Abdul Hadi’s performance, Mat Zan said the striker failed to find spaces to make runs or to punish Johor FC’s defence.

“I hope Hadi can regain his form, which made him the golden boot winner last season,” he said.
Mat Zan said he substituted Hadi and brought in Joseph Kalang Tie in the second half, as he wanted more speed in the team’s play.

“In the end, it was not our day but we have to correct our mistakes and be ready for the next game.”

Nigerian striker Onyekachi Nowha scores two goals as Kelantan win in Super League

Under-fire striker Onyekachi Nowha answered his critics with a brace in Kelantan 5-1 thrashing of Felda United in Kota Baru yesterday as the East Coast side maintained their two-point lead at the top of the Super League.

The 29-year-old Nigerian was on target in the third and 45th minute before Norfarhan Mohd (65th), Indra Putra Mahayuddin (69th) and Badri Radzi (84th) completed the rout. Felda replied through Azrul Ahmad in the fourth minute.

At the Jalan Besar Stadium, Shahdan Sulaiman's penalty four minutes from time earned Singapore's LionsXII a 2-1 victory over T-Team to stay in second place with 24 points.

Shahdan cooly slotted home from the spot past T-Team goalkeeper Mohd Iqbal Suhaimi, who was brilliant throughout the match, after teammate Agu Casmir was fouled in the  box.

Lions, however, must thank their lucky stars for the victory as they almost blew it following Shahril Ishak's penalty miss  in the 60th minute.

The homesters turned on the heat by scoring first through  Shahril in the 51st minute before Zairo Anuar Zalani levelled proceedings, after a brilliant inter-change with Badrul  Hisani Abdul Rahman, three minutes later.

At Sultan Ismail Nasiruddin Shah Stadium, Terengganu stayed at third spot in the table following their 0-0 draw with Johor FC.

Terengganu struggled to create chances without suspended striker Francis Doe and the injured Manaf Mamat.

Abdul Hadi Yahya was the only prolific striker upfront but the national player failed to impress.

"Our lack of creativity in attack was obvious in the absence of Francis Doe. We have dropped points but at least we did not lose," said Terengganu coach Mat Zan Mat Aris.

At Likas Stadium, former champions Selangor came  from behind to grab a 1-1 draw with Sabah.

Sabah got a gift goal when Michael Baird scored from a defensive slip-up between defender Rasman Roslan  and goalkeeper G. Jeevananthan in the fourth minute.

Coach Irfan Bakti Abu Salim replaced Azidan Sarudin with  K. Solihin after the breather and the move added more pace  to Selangor's game and they were finally rewarded in the  60th minute through P. Gunalan's equaliser.   

Kelantan win to stay top while Singapore move into second in Super League

Kelantan scored their biggest win of the season when they thrashed lowly Felda United 5-1 in a Super League match at the Sultan Mohd IV Stadium in Kota Baru last night.

The Red Warriors showed no mercy to the struggling club side after Nigerian import Nwoha Onyekachi led the goal rush with a brace in the third and 45th minutes.

Mohd Norfarhan Mohd (65th), Indra Putra Mahayuddin (69th) and skipper Mohd Badhri Radzi (80th) were also on target.

Felda’s goal came via Azrul Ahmad’s equaliser in the fourth minute.

The big win saw the east coast side consolidating their position at the top of the league with 26 points from 11 matches.

Lions XII moved up to second spot after they edged T-Team 2-1 at the Jalan Besar Stadium. Midfielder Shahdan Sulaiman converted a penalty in the 85th minute to claim full points for the Singaporeans.

Lions skipper Shahril Ishak fired the hosts ahead in the 51st minute before his T-Team counterpart Zairo Anuar Zailani drew level just two minutes later.

Terengganu dropped to third place on 21 points after being held to goalless draw by Johor FC at the Sultan Ismail Stadium in Kuala Terengganu.

At the Likas Stadium, Selangor were forced to labour to a 1-1 draw with Sabah.

The Rhinos’ Australian import Michael Baird stunned the Red Giants with an early strike after only three minutes before leftback P. Gunalan equalised in the 60th minute.

Midfielder Baird took advantage of a miscommunication between Selangor goalkeeper G. Jeevananthan and rightback Mohd Razman Roslan to draw first blood.

Selangor came back stronger in the second half to dominate the match and Gunalan blasted in a half volley for a well-deserved equaliser.

In Kelana Jaya, Sarawak stunned PKNS FC 4-1 at the MBPJ Stadium. The East Malaysians scored through Shahrol Saperi (12), Ashri Chuchu (45, 81) and Vedran Muratovic (65) while Khairul Azrin (58th) replied for PKNS FC.

Kelantan fans unhappy over FAM's action against their FA president

Kelantan fans staged a protest over the FA of Malaysia’s treatment of their FA president Tan Sri Annuar Musa at the Sultan Muhammad IV Stadium yesterday.

The fans, who came early for the Super League match between Kelantan-Felda United, are unhappy that Annuar has to face the FAM disciplinary committee for criticising the national football team’s performance.

Annuar, who is also FAM deputy president, faces a lengthy ban if he is found guilty of making a critical comment about coach K. Rajagopal’s national team.

Annuar voiced his opinion after the national team drew 1-1 with the Philippines. 

It was the team’s seventh match without a win on the international stage.

Annuar could be handed a two-year ban from football if found guilty of breaching Article 88 of FAM’s statutes, which state that only the president and secretary-general are allowed to make statements on Malaysian football.

FAM president Sultan Ahmad Shah had also reminded football officials not to be outspoken when speaking to the media.

About 50 Kelantan supporters unfurled banners with one having the words: “FAM president don’t influence the disciplinary committee’s decision.” 

They also marched around the stadium voicing their unhappiness with the FAM and even asking the president to step down.

“Tan Sri (Annuar) only gave his opinion and advice in his capacity as deputy president of FAM. 

“And for this he is asked to face disciplinary charges, this is unfair. 

“We want justice,” said Mahizi Mahmood, deputy president of fan club site Kelate.net.

“We demand that the president of FAM step down and let someone else take over because he has been there for too long,” said Mohd Zaini Mohd Zain, president of Kota Baru Red Warriors club. 

Kelantan thrash Felda United to retain top spot in Super League

Kelantan  continued to rule the roost at the top of the Super League when they beat Felda United 5-1 at Stadium Sultan Mohammed IV in Kota Bharu Saturday night.

The squad of Bojan Hodak has collected 26 points, two more points than their nearest challenger, Lions XII, which bagged 24 points.

Kelantan import player Nwoha Onyekach was the hero of the Red Warriors when he scored two goals, in the third and 45th minute.

Kelantan midfielder Mohd Nor Farhan Mohamad netted a goal at the 65th minute, Indra Putera Mahayuddin (67th minute) and team captain Mohd Badhri Mohd Radzi (81st minute).

Negeri Sembilan striker Jean Owona told to behave

Top Negeri Sembilan goal poacher Jean Owona has been warned not to get into unnecessary trouble.

Head coach Mohd Azraai Khor Abdullah said the two-match ban on Owona has put the team in a difficult spot ahead of their Super League matches matches against Kuala Lumpur at the Hang Jebat Stadium today and Lions XII at the Tuanku Abdul Rahman Stadium in Paroi on April 3.

“Everyone knows Owona is the main man for goals … and to have him out for two matches is a blow to our league campaign,” said a disappointed Azraai yesterday.

Negeri’s campaign has been far from smooth. 

They are seventh in the standings on 15 points and trail leaders Kelantan by eight points. Their FA Cup campaign is over after losing 2-1 to Johor FC in the first round in Paroi.

Azraai said they have no room for any slip-ups and need maximum points from the next two outings to ensure their rise in the standings.

“Yes, playing well and scoring regularly is one thing but that does not mean you can compromise on discipline. 

“Players must learn to behave themselves and not get into unecessary trouble by picking up suspensions and leaving the team in a dilemma,” said Azraai.

Cameroon striker Owona is the leading marksman with nine goals but will pay a heavy price for his own folly after being slapped with a two-match ban and a RM3,000 fine for pulling Felda

United goalkeeper Mohd Hamsani Ahmad’s ears and for pushing S. Sivanesan on the cheek in a Super League match at the Tuanku Abdul Rahman Stadium in Paroi on Jan 21.

“Owona should understand by now that he is a marked man in the competition. 

“He should also understand the way the game is played here and cope with it. If he (Owona) can’t get along and continues to get himself into trouble, then, it leaves me with no choice but to look at other alternatives,” said Azraai.

T-Team determined to do well in Super League after FA Cup failure

After failing to get a place in  the semi-final of the FA Cup last night, T-Team have now shifted their focus on the Super League competition, determined to end up in the top five.

The Young Turtles squad lost to Kedah on a 1-2 aggregate in their second leg quarter-final match at the Sultan Ismail Nasiruddin Shah Stadium last night. Both teams were tied to a scoreless draw in their first leg match on March 24.

T-Team coach Yunus Alif said the team's failure in its own backyard was a major disappointment.

"Last night's match was not the game that I wanted. It's a lesson the team had better learned in facing other matches," he told reporters here Wednesday.

Sports Minister wants players educated on the dangers of match fixing

Low wages should not be a factor for football players to be involved in match-fixing or bribery which has continued to tarnish the image of football in the country.

Deputy Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Razali Ibrahim said no reason should be accepted for players involvement in match fixing or bribery and efforts must be taken by those involved, especially the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) to educate the players on the dangers of their involvement in such activities.

"If there are claims that low wages was a reason for players to be involved in bribery, I beg to differ because even highly paid players in teams like Juventus in Italy were said to be involved in match-fixing.