14 Jan

MALAYSIAN Super League newcomers KL Plus FC are gradually gaining momentum and that they are second in the standings is truly remarkable. After being gifted full points for the cancelled match against Kelantan in Kota Baru on Jan 3, KL Plus beat Pahang (1-0) at the Darulmakmur Stadium in Kuantan on Jan 6 and Terengganu (2-1) at the KLFA Stadium four days later. If they were lucky in the first match, the next two proved their quality and coach Mat Zan Mat Aris is looking forward to another three points against Penang today. "We have a dedicated team that work hard, and the management support is also strong," said Mat...

02:47 / Local / Sports
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13 Jan

IF their apathy was limited to non-payment of wages, EPF and income tax payments before, some teams are now flouting their moral obligations as well. Only five teams have insured their players for the 2009 season and what makes it sad is this is being done without any regard to what the consequences could be. Previously, this was never an issue as the FA of Malaysia deducted the RM75,000 premium from each team's annual grant of RM350,000. However, this policy was changed at the start of this season as teams were given the full amount and, obviously, some have decided the...

02:45 / Local / Sports
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12 Jan

WHILE many thought that Kedah would be the team to look out for in this season's Malaysian Super League (MSL), it has instead been Selangor who have been stealing the spotlight. Selangor, MSL newcomers KL Plus FC and Negri Sembilan, occupy the top three slots in the table while defending champions Kedah are still looking for their first win. Last Saturday Selangor beat Negri Sembilan 3-0 at the Shah Alam Stadium for their third straight win. And if that's not a boost, the Selangor fans are also beginning to find their way back to the stadiums whenever their team play. On...

02:41 / Local / Sports
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11 Jan

IT was billed as a top-of-the-table clash but the outcome was never in doubt as Selangor reinforced their credentials as the team to watch out for this season with a 3-0 win over Negri Sembilan in a Malaysian Super League clash at the Shah Alam Stadium last night. Victory was their third in succession and given how treble champs Kedah are wobbling, it is hard to see who can stop Selangor from romping away with the title, which they are desperate to win after having to live with the stigma that they are no longer the giants of Malaysian football...

02:35 / Local / Sports
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08 Jan

DESPITE a three-month break, officials appointed by the FAM found the Sultan Mahmud Stadium field in Kota Baru unmarked and grass uncut for the Malaysian Super League (MSL) match between KL Plus FC and Kelantan on Jan 3. The FA of Malaysia competitions committee, which met at Wisma FAM yesterday, thus awarded the match to KL Plus 3-0. Yesterday's meeting was chaired by Datuk Che Mat Jusoh, and the competitions committee deliberated long and hard on the report submitted by the referees inspector and match commissioner before reaching their decision. "We went through the report and studied it before making...

02:26 / Local / Sports
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07 Jan

SELANGOR maintained their winning streak in the Malaysian Super League (MSL) when they defeated Perak 3-1 at the Shah Alam Stadium yesterday. Inspired by the 4-1 win over Kedah in the Charity Shield match on Saturday, Selangor pressured their visitors early. But Perak, coached by M. Karathu, drew first blood through Razali Umar Kandasamy whose powerful shot sailed past Selangor goalkeeper Hamsani Ahmad. But K. Devan's boys remained calm and in the 33rd minute, national striker Safee Sali chipped the ball over Perak goalkeeper Megat Amir. In the 63rd minute Selangor's Amirulhadi Zainal collected a loose ball inside the box...

02:21 / Local / Sports
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06 Jan

SELANGOR host Perak in a Malaysian Super League match at the Shah Alam Stadium tonight and it is expected to be a cracker. Following their impressive 4-1 win against MSL defending champions Kedah in the Charity Shield last Saturday which surprised most fans, Selangor must be treated as title contenders even at this early stage of the competition. "Definitely I did not expect to win with a big margin, but we did and now we have to focus on Perak who are a terrific side. They won their first match (against Kuala Muda Naza) as well, so it will be...

02:15 / Local / Sports
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06 Jan

GOALKEEPER Mohd Helmi Eliza will not be called up for national team duty if he loses his place in the Kedah team for the Malaysian Super League (MSL). Helmi had a bad match against Selangor on Saturday letting in three soft goals before he was replaced in the first half. Helmi's poor performances started at the Asean Championship where he let in three goals against Vietnam which ended Malaysia's run in the tournament. National coach B. Sathianathan hopes that the twice MSL Goalkeeper of the Year will find his way back to the top. "It's easy for everyone to criticise...

02:11 / Local / Sports
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05 Jan

DESPITE their 4-1 defeat to Selangor in the Charity Shield match at the Darulaman Stadium in Alor Star, Kedah coach Azraai Khor remains confident for tomorrow's Malaysia Super League match against Negeri Sembilan at the Paroi Stadium. Even though Azraai, who was surprised with the scoreline of Saturday's match, believes his boys will pull themselves together and rise to the occasion. "I never expected such a score as the match was evenly contested," said Azraai. "All three goals were flukes, but Safee Sali's strike was a classic. But the competition has just started and there is still a long way...

02:07 / Local / Sports
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05 Jan

THE Asian Football Confederation (AFC) is investigating a complaint by three local coaches who have accused the FA of Malaysia of irregularities in an A Licence coaching course. The three, who are prominent figures in the football fraternity,accused FAM's coaching department of lack of professionalism in conducting the course. The course saw 10 out of 21 getting through the theory and practical exams. The three were among those who didn't get through and they are demanding a review of their test papers. "We feel we have been victimized and that the coaching department was not fair in evaluating the results....

02:05 / Local / Sports
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