Domestic Scene The state of the game in Malaysia is currently on a rocky road, with the curret financial crisis that has hit the game. State run teams are running at a loss and Penang may not even enter the league which starts again in January. Report here on Penang and the local President of the FA quiting - http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v5/newssport.php?id=365982 The FA has decided that foriegn players are no long welcome, which put Kedah and Perak at disadvantages in the AFC Cup Quarter-Final stage, as they lost their very best players. International Scene On the national team front, Malaysia are banging in a hatful of goals in the Merdeka Tournement and recently stuffed Paksitan in a friendly aswell. They should also appear in the Myanmar Grand Royal Cup to be played in November and at the current rate should have a good stab at the AFF Suzuki Cup, getting into the Semi-Final stage with the momentum they have going at the moment.
Article from www.the-afc.com Malaysian clubs face an uphill task in the AFC Cup next year, thanks to the ban on recruiting foreigners By Tan Boon Piaw Kedah coach Mohd Azraai Khor could be forgiven for thinking his side stands little chance on the continental platform in 2009. Kedah created Malaysian football history earlier this year by sweeping all three titles on offer in the land for the second time in a row but the performance was mainly turbocharged by a strong foreign legion. But a blanket ban on all Malaysian Super League clubs against hiring foreigners can spell doom for continental glory aspirers like Kedah and Negeri Sembilan, both of whom are pencilled in for the AFC Cup next year. Not surprisingly, the decision has caused much heart-burn and soul-searching. “It is the other teams who had problems in either selecting good foreign players or paying their salaries,” Kedah FA President Azizan Abdul Razak lashed out at the FAM’s move. “Kedah had no such issues with the imports. So why are we being made to suffer for the follies of others? Is it because the other teams could not find any other way to beat Kedah?” he wondered. CONTRIBUTION The statistics speak for themselves. Marlon James, the St. Vincentian forward, scored 113 times in 134 games for Kedah, bundling in 23 goals this season in the Super League to walk away with Golden Boot. Last season he was unstoppable with 40 goals in all competitions for the champions. James received good support in the engine room from compatriot Bernard Huggins and Nelson San Martin of Chile. “I don’t know what words to use to thank them for their contribution and effort in guiding Kedah into the Malaysian football history books. Our feat of winning six titles in two seasons is unbelievable,” said Azraai Khor. “Without doubt, Kedah have the best three foreign players in Malaysia, and their services will be remembered in the history of Kedah football.” “Everyone here is sad to see them leave, and I wish them all the best with their future teams,” added Azraai Khor. AFTER-EFFECTS Both Kedah and Perak - without their foreign stars - felt the bite in the recent AFC Cup quarter-finals when they were thrashed by Bahrain’s Al Muharraq and Lebanon’s Safa FC respectively. This was after Martin and James bagged four goals each as Kedah won four out of six games in the group stage to finish second in their section. “I know that if we had the three foreign players with us, things would have been different. And I would go so far as saying that we could have won the match against Muharraq in Bahrain," lamented Azraai Khor. “I believe that we will struggle in next year's AFC Cup. It has been a bad decision (to ban the foreign players)." CATCH-22 The FAM is, meanwhile, caught in a Catch-22 situation. The radical decision to bar foreigners was ostensibly taken to give local talent enough playing time and lift the quality of the game which has plummeted in recent times. “We are going to put the national team above all,” asserted Che Mat, FAM Vice-President. “Everything we plan will be in line with the objective of the national team.” FAM Deputy President Khairy Jamaluddin has said the ban is for an “indefinite period”. “It is a unanimous call. In fact, the teams which have qualified for the AFC Cup next year, also agreed that priority should be given to developing and strengthening the league.” With the league kicking off soon and the AFC Cup campaign not scheduled until March next year, one only hopes there will be enough time for the FAM to test-drive the locals-only football and lift the ban urgently if needed. (Edited by R. Ravi Kumar)
Latest in the media: KUALA LUMPUR: National coach B. Sathianathan has given France-based Titus James Palani until Friday to show up for training or give the Asean Football Federation (AFF) Suzuki Cup championship a miss. “This is necessary as I need to plan the team. I have to evaluate his performance before making a decision,” he said last Sunday. Sathianathan said that the national squad would start training next Sunday before leaving for Myanmar for the Grand Royal Challenge Cup tournament starting on Nov 9. Titus, who last played for French third division club Villenoy FC, had been called up to don national colours several times, including the friendly match against English club Chelsea in July. However, club commitments had prevented the 22-year-old player from joining the national squad. In the AFF Group B matches to be played in Bangkok from Dec 5-28, Malaysia have been drawn with Vietnam, Laos and Thailand. Group A matches to be played in Jakarta involve Indonesia, Singapore, Myanmar and Cambodia. Sathianathan added that he had no choice but to depend on the 25 players in the national squad. “Akmal Rizal Ahmad Rakhli is still the country’s best striker while Mohd Safee Sali has been excluded as he is not fully fit,” he said.
Domestic Scene Coach Movements Tajuddin Nor will take charge of Super League side Pahang FA, replacing Zainal Abidin Hassan. Nor was previously in charge of Premier league side Shahzan Muda FC. Shahzan Muda FC have hired Zainal Abidin Hassan as coach, the former Pahang FA manager! All sounds a bit strange, but Pahang are the state team, and Shahzan play in that state. So head of that state has changed the coaches around. Nor was also coach of Pahang before being moved previously to Shahzan! Article here: http://thestar.com.my/sports/story.asp?file=/2008/10/29/sports/2397308&sec=sports KL Plus have retained Mat Zan Mat Aris as the coach.
Domestic Scene Latest Perlis FA once again need help from FAM, to pay a few debts. Detailas here: http://thestar.com.my/sports/story.asp?file=/2008/10/31/sports/2421356&sec=sports UPB-My Team hold open trials to find the best of the undiscovered. This team, i believe, was made up from a TV show a few years back National Team News The national side (possibly under 23's only) are entering the Myanmar Grand Royal Challenge Cup, to start mid November.
UPB-Myteam hve been doing this evey year for a while & it has nt help Malaysia football as non of the players go on to play after 1 year Instead their best players r those they kapo from other state teams meaning they r nt really interested in developing 'undiscovered' footballers at all It is more like PR for FAM chairman, a soon to be ex-PM son-in-law, for financing the club
Domestic Scene Coach Movements Kuala Muda Naza have appointed young Brazilian Stefano Cugurra as coach. He replaces K. Devan who has taken up the coaching reigns of Selangor http://thestar.com.my/sports/story.asp?file=/2008/11/5/sports/2441261&sec=sports
Are the Super and Premier Leagues are up to start this weekend? Couldn't find any informations on that, so the help would be much appreciated.
MALAYSIA's run in the Grand Challenge Cup came to an end when they fell 4-1 to hosts Myanmar in the semi-finals at Thuwanna Youth Training Centre Stadium yesterday. Myanmar took a 2-0 lead -- skipper Soe Myat Min and striker Yan Paing scoring in the 17th and 37th minutes respectively. Malaysia pulled one back through Amirulhadi Zainal who scored from a free kick in the 43rd minute. Playing in front of 35,000 fans, Myanmar went further ahead in the 57th minute through Kaw Kaw Soe while Min Min Tun scored the fourth in the 74th minute. National coach B. Sathianathan admitted his players played below par. "The players did not play well as they gave Myanmar too much of respect. It was a hard match and Myanmar put us under pressure with their attacks," said Sathianathan "I am not worried though as it is another match that tested our character and ability. We have to continue working hard and be positive about the defeat. Obviously, I still have some work to do." Sathianathan said the next two weeks are crucial to the team's preparation for the Asean Cup. Malaysia will take on Hong Kong in a friendly on Nov 25 and Singapore four days later. Both matches are at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil. "I still have two more matches that can be used to strengthen the team, and I believe the players will get back to winning ways." http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/Thursday/Sport/2406733/Article/index_html
I'm not too sure when the season starts. But i wouldn't expect it unti lafter AFF Championship. So possibly early next year. But who knows?
http://www.harimaumalaya.com/malaysia/Liga-Super/liga-super-2010-milik-negeri-sahaja.html Those who knw Malay can hopefully translate but what I got was From 2010-2014, FAM will banned clubs sides & only state teams will play pro football (Another step back ) Also kickoff time is 5.30 pm (Do these people who make the decision live in ASEAN, the weather is killer & I guess attendence can now matched the Thai as how much will sweat, I meant it, to see a match under the sun)
There doing more harm to the domestic game than good. First there was the foriegn player rule that was kicked and hurt the sies in the AFC Cup, now this, whats happening!!
i like the earlier kick off there was talk of next season being state sides only nothing confirmed until 6 dec i think http://jakartacasual.blogspot.com/2008/11/pdrm-withdraw-from-msl.html
But isn't that fam contradicting itself It wnt more fans at stms but if games r on wkday, who can leave at 4+ & even wkend may be a problem as Malaysian (& S'porean) r now to be spoilt & will stay home if make to sweat & they will sweat The football played at such hr r bad for players (Literally speaking) may nt turn up as the weather a killer. How to improve football then to attract the fans?
FAM Getting Government Help PETALING JAYA: The FA of Malaysia (FAM) have welcomed the Cabinet Committee on Sports to come on board to help save Malaysian football. The Cabinet Committee on Sports, led by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, on Monday voiced their concern over the poor state of affairs of the game in the country. The FAM general secretary, Datuk Azzuddin Ahmad, said that they appreciated the interest showed by the government in the game and their willingness to offer assistance. “It has got to be a concerted effort from all level to come under one roof to find ways and work out means to save the game in the country instead of just taking pot shots at the FAM,” said Azzuddin at a press conference yesterday after national coach B. Sathianathan named the Malaysian squad for the Asean Football Federation (AFF) tournament. It was reported that nine of the 14 state affiliates of the FAM owed the Employees Provident Fund (EPF) a total of RM4.8mil. Najib has also instructed Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob to work out a comprehensive solution to the problem. Besides financial problems, there were also concerns over match-fixing and the quality of Malaysian football. http://thestar.com.my/sports/story.asp?file=/2008/12/4/sports/2715198&sec=sports
Police Club Appeal To Be Re-Instated PETALING JAYA: Police are set to be back in the Super League — just a week after withdrawing from the competition citing financial constraints. Police were left in a lurch following the withdrawal of their main sponsors, Inai Kiara Sdn Bhd, who had backed them for two seasons. Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) general secretary Datuk Azzuddin Ahmad confirmed yesterday that they had received an appeal letter from the Police FA on Wednesday. And FAM president Sultan Ahmad Shah insisted yesterday that he would never leave any state FAs or affiliates in dire straits. “As I have said before, I will do everything within my means to help them (affiliates). Since Police have made an appeal ... the question of their status in the MSL does not arise any more,” Sultan Ahmad, who was at the TUDM Subang to send off the national team for the Asean Football Federation (AFF) Suzuki Cup in Phuket. The FAM Council are set to discuss and endorse Police’s reinstatement at Wisma FAM in Kelana Jaya tomorrow. That will be bad news for Kelantan. The competitions committee had promoted the east coast side, who finished third in the Premier League this year behind Kuala Muda Naza and KL Plus. http://thestar.com.my/sports/story.asp?file=/2008/12/5/sports/2723419&sec=sports
Malaysian FA Cup PETALING JAYA: The FA Cup competition has reverted to the old format of play with no more open draws. It will comprise 29 teams — 15 Super League and 14 Premier League sides — with defending champions Kedah, Selangor and Terengganu receiving byes in the first round. Kedah, who won back-to-back trebles, will play the winner of the match between Proton FC and UPB-MyTeam in the second round. The first round matches are scheduled on Feb 3 and 7. http://thestar.com.my/sports/story.asp?file=/2008/12/7/sports/2745530&sec=sports
Police Club Change Coach PETALING JAYA: Long-serving Police coach K. Thaiyanathan will not be with the Super League team for their campaign in the season beginning next month. The Police sergeant said that he would report back for normal duties with the force on Monday after having learnt from the management that Dali Wahid was expected to take over the job. “Football is in my blood and I am sad that I have been left out after having helped the team to the get into the top flight Super League last year,” said Thaiyanathan yesterday. The 53-year-old has been with the team for 18 years and had served as the assistant coach under former internationals Chow Kwai Lam, Rahim Abdullah, Bawandi Hiralal and foreigner Ken Morten before becoming the chief coach in 2002. “I took full charge of the team for the first time after we won promotion from the FAM Cup in 2002. And my biggest achievement was leading Police to win the Premier League and gaining a historic promotion to the Super League last season,” said Thaiyanathan. Last week, the Police FA were reinstated in the Super League after having said that they had to withdraw because of financial constraints. Police, who finished ninth in the 14-team Super League, were left in a difficult position following the withdrawal of their main sponsors, Inai Kiara Sdn Bhd, who had backed them for two seasons.
msl starts 3 jan but i only know one fixture at the moment the fa cup fixtures can be found here - FA Cup schedule
FAM Cup looks like it will be canceled due to only 3 teams entering at the deadline on 10th December. FAM needs at least 8 teams to take part. They can be from anyone outside of the Super League (1st Level) and Premier League (2nd Level). Winners and Runners Up have a chance of progression to Premier League.
Super League Season starts on 3rd Jan. Revised Fixtures After DPMM (Brunei side) withdrew: 03/01/2009 - Sabtu Kedah vs Selangor (8.45 mlm - Stadium Darul Aman, Alor Setar) [Perlawanan Sumbangsih 2009] PDRM vs UPB-MyTeam FC (8.45 mlm - Stadium MP Selayang, Selangor) Kelantan vs KL Plus FC (8.45 mlm - Stadium Sultan Mohamad Ke-IV, Kota Bharu) Terengganu vs Perlis (8.45 mlm - Stadium Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin, Kuala Terengganu) Pahang vs Johor FC (8.45 mlm - Stadium Darul Makmur, Kuantan) Pulau Pinang vs Negeri Sembilan (8.45 mlm - Stadium Bandaraya Pulau Pinang) Perak vs Kuala Muda Naza FC (8.45 mlm - Stadium Perak, Ipoh) 06/01/2009 - Selasa Selangor vs Perak (8.45 mlm - Stadium Shah Alam, Selangor) Negeri Sembilan vs Kedah (8.45 mlm - Stadium Tuanku Abdul Rahman, Paroi) Johor FC vs Pulau Pinang (8.45 mlm - Stadium JCORP, Pasir Gudang, Johor Bahru) Perlis vs Pahang (8.45 mlm - Stadium Utama Negeri, Kangar) KL Plus FC vs Terengganu (8.45 mlm - Stadium Bolasepak Kuala Lumpur, Cheras) UPB MyTeam FC vs Kelantan (8.45 mlm - Stadium MBPJ, Kelana Jaya) Kuala Muda Naza FC vs PDRM (8.45 mlm - Stadium Darul Aman, Alor Setar) 10/01/2009 - Sabtu Kedah vs Johor FC (8.45 mlm - Stadium Darul Aman, Alor Setar) Selangor vs Negeri Sembilan (8.45 mlm - Stadium Shah Alam, Selangor) Kelantan vs Kuala Muda Naza FC (8.45 mlm - Stadium Sultan Mohamad Ke-IV, Kota Bharu) Terengganu vs UPB MyTeam FC (8.45 mlm - Stadium Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin, Kuala Terengganu) Pahang vs KL Plus FC (8.45 mlm - Stadium Darul Makmur, Kuantan) Pulau Pinang vs Perlis (8.45 mlm - Stadium Bandaraya Pulau Pinang) Perak vs PDRM (8.45 mlm - Stadium Perak, Ipoh) 13/01/2009 - Selasa Negeri Sembilan vs Perak (8.45 mlm - Stadium Tuanku Abdul Rahman, Paroi) Johor FC vs Selangor (8.45 mlm - Stadium JCORP, Pasir Gudang, Johor Bahru) Perlis vs Kedah (8.45 mlm - Stadium Utama Negeri, Kangar) KL Plus FC vs Pulau Pinang (8.45 mlm - Stadium Bolasepak Kuala Lumpur, Cheras) UPB MyTeam FC vs Pahang (8.45 mlm - Stadium MBPJ, Kelana Jaya) Kuala Muda Naza FC vs Terengganu (8.45 mlm - Stadium Darul Aman, Alor Setar) PDRM vs Kelantan (8.45 mlm - Stadium MP Selayang, Selangor)
Premier League Season Opening Fixtures: Jumaat - 09/01/2009 Terengganu PBDKT/T-Team vs Melaka (8.45 mlm - Stadium Sultan Mizan, Kuala Terengganu) Sabah vs Pulau Pinang SDM Kepala Batas (8.15 mlm - Stadium Likas, Sabah) Kuala Lumpur vs Proton FC (8.45 mlm - Stadium Bolasepak Kuala Lumpur) Sarawak vs Johor MBJB FC (3.30 ptg - Stadium Sarawak) Johor vs Pahang Kuantan Port/Shahzan Muda (8.45 mlm - Stadium Tan Sri Dato' Haji Hassan Yunos, JB) Selangor PKNS FC vs Felda United FC (8.45 mlm - Stadium MBPJ, Kelana Jaya, Selangor) Harimau Muda vs ATM (8.45 mlm - Stadium Nasional Bkt Jalil, Kuala Lumpur) Isnin - 12/01/2009 ATM vs Terengganu PBDKT/T-Team (8.45 mlm - Stadium MP Selayang, Selangor) Melaka vs Selangor PKNS FC (8.45 mlm - Stadium Hang Jebat, Melaka) Felda United FC vs Johor (8.45 mlm - Stadium Bolasepak Kuala Lumpur) Pahang Kuantan Port/ S. Muda vs Sarawak (8.45 mlm - Stadium Darul Makmur, Pahang) Johor MBJB FC vs Kuala Lumpur (8.45 mlm - Stadium Tan Sri Dato' Haji Hassan Yunos, JB) Proton FC vs Sabah (8.45 mlm - Stadium MBPJ, Kelana Jaya, Selangor) Pulau Pinang SDM Kepala Batas vs Harimau Muda (8.45 mlm - Stadium Batu Kawan, Pulau Pinang)
Malaysian Super League Week One Results Kedah 1 vs 4 Selangor PDRM 0 vs 3 UPB-MyTeam FC Kelantan 0 vs 1 KL Plus FC Terengganu 2 vs 3 Perlis Pahang 2 vs 3 Johor FC Pulau Pinang (Penang FA) 0 vs 3 Negeri Sembilan Perak 2 vs 0 Kuala Muda Naza FC Defending champions Kedah given a big big stuffing