PETALING JAYA, Sept 28 – Rain was no blessing for newly crowned Premier League champions Negeri Sembilan but it was for Melaka United as the home side walked away with a 2-0 win in their opening Group C Malaysia Cup match at the Hang Jebat Stadium in Melaka on Monday.

Brazilian Adriano Narcizo put Melaka United in the lead in the 28th minute with a long range attempt from outside the penalty box after being set up by Manuel Ott. The ball took a wicked bounce to sail past N. Sembilan goalkeeper Damien Lim.

Ott also had a hand in the second goal when he sent S. Kumahraan through on the left and the latter raced through before lifting the ball over Damien and into the far corner. This was in the 65th minute.

N. Sembilan had their fair chances but Alain Okono and Francis Kone either muffed their attempts or found Melaka goalkeeper Khairul Fahmi Che Mat unbeatable on the slippery pitch and coach Zainal Abidin Hassan was left smiling for a winning start in the competition which celebrates 100 years this year.

In another Group C match, Kedah FC showed that it is the team to beat in the group with a 3-0 whitewash of Premier League outfit Kelantan United at the Darulaman Stadium in Alor Setar.

The hardworking Zainon Syazwan, a former international was the toast of the Red Eagles with a double striker.

His first came in the 13th minute when ran into space on the left and took advantage of Kelantan United goalkeeper Fikri Soh’s blunder when he completely missed the ball on the top of the box. Syazwan gleefully sent the ball into the empty net.

His second came in the 58th minute after Kipre Tchetche scored Kedah’s second in the dying minutes of the first half.

In Group D, defending champions Johor Darul Takzim (JDT) had no difficulty in defeating Kelantan FC 2-0 at the Sultan Ibrahim Stadium in Iskandar Puteri, Johor Bahru with a penalty by Bergson da Silva (31st) and Safawi Rasid (61st).

At the Petaling Jaya Stadium the match between Petaling Jaya City FC and Sabah ended in a 1-1 draw.

Darren Lok equalised for PJ City in the 79th minute to wipe out Sabah’s 20th minute lead via a freekick by Par Tae Su.

Sabah muffed a penalty in the 65th minute when PJ City goalkeeper Kalamullah Al-Hafiz saved Levy Madinda’s spot kick.

PETALING JAYA, Sept 27 – SEA Games champion, S. Kisona, ranked No 53 in the world fell to a shock straight games 16-21, 20-22 defeat to Abigail Holden (No.176) in her women’s singles match but Malaysia scraped past England 3-2 in their opening Group D match in Vantaa, Finland on Monday.

PETALING JAYA, Sept 26 – On a cold and chilly night at the City Stadium in Georgetown, newly promoted Sarawak United stunned Penang FC with an impressive 3-1 win in their opening Group A match of the Malaysia Cup – the region’s oldest football competition which celebrates its 100th Anniversary this year.

PETLING JAYA, Sept 25 – National football coach Tan Cheng Hoe is simply lost for words when reads some weird comments on social media when the FA of Malaysia (FAM) released the names of the 24-players called up for national training.

The 24 players named for the two Tier 1 friendly matches against Jordan and Uzbekistan next month as part of Harimau Malaya’s preparations for the AFF Suzuki Cup 2020 later this year and also next year’s Asia Cup third round qualifiers.

As the head coach, Cheng Hoe, rested some of the senior players from eight-time Malaysian Super League champions Johor Darul Takzim (JDT) plus others like Junior Eldstal (Chonburi FC, Thai League), Liridon Krasniqi (Newcastle Jets, Australian League) and Norshahrul Idlan Talaha (Sarawak United).

Those missing from the JDT list are Farizal Marlias, Corbin Ong, Syamer Kuty Abba, Arif Aiman, and Safawi Rasid. Instead, newcomers Quentin Cheng and Al Hafiz Harun (Penang FC, Mukhairi Ajmal Mahadi, Shahrul Nazeen Zulpakar (Selangor FC), Hakimi Abdullah (Terengganu FC), Kallamullah Al-Hafiz (Petaling Jaya City FC) have been called up.

“It is not my decision alone when picking the squad. We have a coaching panel for selection of national players. There are several factors that are taken into account. Selection is on merit and the current form of the player plays a part in this matter,” said Cheng Hoe.

Football is top ranked sport in Malaysia, but, lately, there is a growing trend of “social media coaches and selectors” who want to decide on the players.

When the national squad for the World Cup/Asia Cup qualifiers was named there was an outcry when Hakimi Abdullah, Faisal Halim were not named. This time around, Cheng Hoe is again taking the flak in social media when several JDT players were left out for a much needed rest from football.

“It is not easy to please everyone. There are certain criteria in picking the players. This is national duty. We want only the best…those who can fit into the system to carry our challenge,” added Cheng Hoe.

“The stakes are high. So is the responsibility that is shouldered by all in the team…from the management to the coaches.”

Malaysia will play Jordan at the King Abdullah Stadium in Amman on Oct 6. The second match is against Uzbekistan at the Amman International Stadium, Amman on Oct 9.

In the AFF Suzuki Cup, Malaysia, champions in 2010, is drawn in B with defending champions Vietnam, Indonesia, Cambodia and Laos. Group A has Thailand, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore and the winner of the qualifying round between Brunei and Timor Leste.

The AFF Suzuki Cup will be played from Dec 5 and the final is scheduled on Jan 1, 2022.

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 25 – He was unsuccessful at the recent Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) elections where he lost his bid to retain his post as the assistant treasurer but Datuk Amarjit Singh Gill kept Malaysia’s flag flying at the 2021 International Cycling Union (UCI) 2021 congressional elections held in Leuven, Belgium on Friday.

Amarjit, who hails from Ipoh and is the son of well-known lawyer Tan Sri Darshan Singh Gill, was a runaway winner in the UCI elections after he garnered a massive 38 votes out of 43 delegates, was himself stunned with the victory margin.

With the win, he thus, retains his seat for the 2021-2025 term. Amarjit first won the seat for the 2017-2021 term in Bergen, Norway.

He has been a strong voice for Malaysian and Asian cycling and has promised to take the sport to greater heights in this region.

Malaysia has been making inroads in international cycling with Azizulhasni Awang, winning a silver medal in Keirin at the recent Tokyo Olympics.

Known for his hard work and ability to take on responsibilities, Amarjit, brushed aside his challenger Syeikh Khalil al-Khalifa (Bahrain), who is also a member of the Asian Cycling Confederation (ACC), who got only five votes.

Two other candidates Sun Weimin (China) and Mohsen Solgi (Iran), withdrew from contesting at the last minute.

At the OCM elections for the post of assistant treasurer, Amarjit who is the incumbent vice-president of the Malaysian National Cycling Federation (MNCF), was defeated 35-65 by Mohd Nasir Ali in a shock result.

PETALING JAYA, Sept 24 – National football coach Tan Cheng Hoe has left out some big names but recalled some who had tasted national duty before and brought in some new names when he named a 24-player squad for two Tier 1 internationals friendly next month.

The Harimau Malaya will play Jordan (ranked 93) at the King Abdullah Stadium in Amman on Oct 6 followed by a match against Uzbekistan at the Amman International Stadium, Amman on Oct 9.

It will be a two-fold mission for Cheng Hoe and his Harimau Malaya in preparations for the AFF Suzuki Cup 2020 is scheduled to be held from Dec 5-Jan 1 2022 after being postponed from last year due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Cheng Hoe has left out big names like Farizal Marlias, Safawi Rasid, Mohamadou Sumareh,  Corbin Ong, Junior Eldstal, Matthew Davies, Liridon Krasniqi to ”give them some much needed rest” from football but was quick to point out that they are very much in the running for a place in the team.

Names like Khairul Fahmi Che Mat (Melaka United), Baddrol Bakhtiar (Kedah FC), Kenny Pallraj) and Akram Mahinan (KL City FC), Faisal Halim and Arif Fazilah (Terengggganu FC) are back in the list.

New names added to the callup list are Kallamullah Al-Hafiz (PJ City FC), Quentin Cheng and Al Hafiz Harun, (Penang FC), Shahrul Nazeem Zulpakar and  Mukhairi Ajmal Mahadi (Selangor FC) and Hakimi Abdullah (Terengganu FC).

Among those who helped Malaysia stay in the hunt in the third round of the Asia Cup qualifiers and retained for the friendlies against Jordan and Uzbekistan are Aidil Zafuan Abdul Radzak (JDT), Khairulazhan Khalid (Selangor FC), Dominic Tan (Police Tero FC), Dion Cools (FC Midtjylland), Irfan Zakaria (KL City), Syahmi Safari (Selangor FC), Nazmi Faiz Mansor (JDT), Akhyar Rashid (JDT), Syafiq Ahmad (JDT, Luqman Hakim Shamsuddin (KV Kortrijk) and Guilherme De Paula (JDT).

“We have the AFF Suzuki Cup and also the third round of the Asia Cup qualifiers. This is the time to try out some new talent that has done well for their respective teams in the league,” said Cheng Hoe.

“The matches against Jordan and Uzbekistan will be a good test for the players. The new names have been quite consistent in their game for their club teams. The squad is a blend of youth and experience.”

PETALING JAYA, Sept 23 – Negeri Sembilan were crowned the new Premier League champions after defeating Police 4-2 in their final league match at the Tuanku Abdul Rahman Stadium in Paroi on Tuesday – a must win match for the title.

However, the presentation of the silverware and the medals soon after the match left many baffled and puzzled.

It must be reminded that Sarawak United was also in contention for the title and so was Terengganu FC II.

Was Negeri Sembilan cocksure of the win and the title when Sarawak United and Terengganu FC II were in the running – depending on the outcome of their matches against JDT II and Kelantan United, respectively?

If they were what, the Malaysian Football League (MFL) should have shown some respect to the said teams? Even if Negri Sembilan were the favourites, there was no guarantee of a win and the title?

Many are questioning how come the trophy and the medals were already at the stadium in Paroi even before the final whistle was blown?

Was Sarawak United written off even before their final match? The same goes to Terengganu FC II.

Of course anything can happen in a game of football but the FAM and MFL certainly lacked professionalism in giving away the trophy and the medals. Of course no one is going to question the outcome of the results on the night.

What if Negeri Sembilan had lost? What if Sarawak United had won against JDT II?

No one is questioning Negeri Sembilan success for winning the Premier League title now that they won against Police.

Playing Police at home did not guarantee Negeri Sembilan a win and the title because closest rival Sarawak United could have claimed the title if Negeri Sembilan lost and Sarawak United won against JDT II.

Terengganu FC II could have also been the champions if they had won their remaining two matches.

Just a reminder, the FAM/MFL could have presented the silverware to Negeri Sembilan at their first home match in the Malaysia Cup competition. It would have left everything in better taste in of question marks.

No questions needed to be asked if Negeri Sembilan had clinched the title with a match or a two to spare and hence the celebrations after the match against Police without taking into account the outcome of the match.

PETALING JAYA, Sept 22 – As expected it was the battle between Negeri Sembilan and Sarawak United for the Premier League title with the former crowned champions 4-2 win over Police in Paroi, Seremban while an understrength Sarawak United finishing with a 1-1 draw against JDT II in Larkin on Tuesday in their final league matches.

Negeri Sembilan topped the league with 41 points from 20 matches with Sarawak United second on 38 points. Both earned promotion to the elite Super League.

The curtain fell on Sarawak United after a 1-0 defeat to Negeri Sembilan at the KLFA Stadium in Cheras on Sept 10 in a bruising encounter that saw red card to Sarawak United’s goalkeeper Sharbinee Allawee early in the match. Negeri Sembilan’s Francis Kone was also red carded in injury time.

Sarawak United were left crippled by a spate of suspensions and fines handed by the FA of Malaysia (FAM) Disciplinary Board for violent misconduct by their players and officials at the end of the match for alleged poor refereeing by Kamil Zakaria Ismail.

Putting that aside, Negeri Sembilan was not expected to lose at home against Police, even when skipper Zaquan Adha Abdul Radzak missed a penalty in the second half.

Goals by R. Barathkumar, an own goal by Eskandar Ismail, Alain Akono and Fahmi Faizal were enough to do the damage for the title.

Police scored through G. Durkeswaran and Azrie Reza Zamri.

With the win, Negri Sembilan, ended a decade long wait for a silverware after winning the Malaysia Cup (2011) and the Charity Shield a year later.

For Sarawak United, the writing was on the wall after the spate of suspensions and fines, but head coach E. Elavarasan can take consolation that the Golden Hornbills will ply their football trade in the Super League.

“Disappointed” was all Elavarasan could say on missing the boat on the home stretch, adding that the 1-0 defeat to Kuching City in Pasir Gudang was the real turning point for his team’s slide.

Nevertheless it is a plus point for Elavarasan’s coaching career. Taking Sarawak United to promotion is the sixth team that gained promotion under his coaching.

PETALING JAYA, Sept 21 – National football coach Tan Cheng Hoe has no complaints after the Harimau Malaya were drawn in Group B with defending champions Vietnam in the AFF Suzuki Cup championships to be held later this year.

Others in the group are Indonesia, Cambodia and Laos. Group A is made up of Thailand, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore and the winners of the Qualifying Round match between Brunei and Timor Leste.

Brunei, coached by former national football coach Datuk K. Rajagobal will host the qualifier.

Vietnam defeated Malaysia 3-2 on aggregate in the 2018 final. The first-leg in Kuala Lumpur ended in a 2-2 stalemate and Vietnam sealed the title with a 1-0 in the return-leg in Hanoi.

Malaysia has featured in four finals in the Asean meet and won the silverware in 2010 – a year after winning the SEA Games gold medal in Vientiane, Laos.

Commenting on the draw, Cheng Hoe described it as “fair draw” that gives Malaysia a fair chance of qualifying for the semi-finals. Apart from Vietnam, Malaysia will have to take note of Indonesia after the Indonesian FA made a major revamp to check the slide.

”It is better to play Vietnam in the group stage…that’s how I look. This does not mean Vietnam is the only rival we have to be worried about. Indonesian football has undergone a big overhaul after the World Cup/Asia Cup qualifiers and we are likely to continue our rivalry again,” said Cheng Hoe from Kuala Lumpur.

“In short we cannot underrate any team in group. Talking about Group A, it is tough group and have to take note of our rivals…Thailand, Myanmar, Philippines and Singapore are all capable of clinching a top two place to advance to the semis.”

Five-time champions Thailand, Myanmar, Philippines and Singapore are expected to battle for the top spots in Group A.

The Philippines has also brought in several naturalised players from Europe and Brazil and could be the dark horses in the tournament that was postponed from last year due to the Covid-9 pandemic.

Thailand have won the Asean title five times – 1996, 2000, 2002, 2014, 2016 while Singapore won it four times (1998, 2004, 2007, 20012). Vietnam was champion in 2008 and 2018.

This year’s AFF Cup will run from Dec 5 with the final scheduled for Jan 1 2022.