PETALING JAYA, Nov 25 – Much is at stake when the return leg Malaysia cup semi-finals are played at the Sultan Ibrahim Stadium in Iskandar Puteri, Johor Bahru between defending champions Johor Darul Takzim (JDT) and Terengganu while at the Hang Stadium will be between Melaka United and Kuala Lumpur City FC on Friday (Nov 26).

The first leg matches at the Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin in Gong Badak Stadium, Kuala Terengganu and at the KLFA Stadium in Cheras ended with identical 1-1 stalemate which gives the return leg hosts the home advantage plus home fans.

However, a lot will depend on match officials for both matches. If they (match officials) are true professionals and officiate without fear or favor expect thrillers at both venues – as seen over television it was not the best of refereeing, especially in Gong Badak.

Do not tarnish the country’s most prestigious football competition – the Malaysia Cup which is celebrating its 100th Anniversary this year.

Poor refereeing has marred Malaysian football – let it be the league or the Malaysia Cup. However, the FA of Malaysia (FAM) thinks otherwise even with evidence. Referees are known to protect certain teams and players but they have a Godfather in the FAM Referees Committee.

Due to lack of professionalism by certain parties it has become a perennial problem that needs to be arrested if Malaysian football is to progress.

No doubt we have some referees who have made the grade to Asian and FIFA level but when it comes to local football it leaves a big question mark.

Putting aside, the biggie at the Sultan Ibrahim Stadium is a much awaited clash as both the Southern Tigers and the Turtles go into the match on equal footing.

In the league JDT defeated Terengganu 1-0 away but the East Coast powerhouse handed the Southern Tigers a bitter 1-0 defeat in their own den.

The first leg Malaysia Cup semi-final in Gong Badak ended 1-1 with Jordan Mintah netting an early eighth minute goal for the Turtles before Brazilian Bergson Da Silva salvaged an equaliser in the 51st minute.

There were many incidents, including off ball, but referee Tuan Mohd Yassin messed it up. Hopefully, there will be more competent match officials at the Sultan Ibrahim Stadium.

Melaka United head coach Zainal Abidin Hassan wants to write Melaka football history with place in the Malaysia Cup final.

The historical city’s best has been a semi-final place in 1983 apart from reaching the quarter-finals in 2017 and 2019.

It is likely to be the battle of the foreigners at Hang Tuah. Sony Norde (Haite) and Adriano Narcizo (Brazil) are Melaka trump cards. It was Adriano who blasted un unstoppable freekick in the eighth minute to give Melaka the lead,

KL, under the shrewd Croatian Bojan Hodak as the head coach, it has been a fairy tale run for the City Boys. Hodak turned midfielder Romel Morales into a hitman and there has been no looking back for the Colombian who has kept KL’s football dream alive in a bid to win the silverware after three decades.

However it was local Zhafri Yahya who headed home the equalizer off an assist by skipper Paulo Josue, another ace in the pack in KL.

So ref please do not spoil the show with fears and with favours.

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 25 – Denpasar in the Indonesian holiday island of Bali where the Super 1000 Indonesia Open is being held continued to produce shock results in the second round matches as reigning World champion Kento Momota (men’s singles) and Tokyo Olympic champions Lee Yang-Wang Chi Lin (men’s doubles) crashed out on Thursday.

Malaysia’s No 2 men’s doubles pair Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani had the honor of beating Lee Yang-Chi Lin, the third seeds from Chinese Taipei.

The Malaysians prevailed 21-15, 23-21 in 37 minutes and will play India’s Satwiksairaj Rankireddy-Chirag Shetty for a place in the last four.

Professionals Ong Yew Sin-Teo Ei Yi are also through to the quarter after dumping compatriots Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik, winners of the bronze medal at the Tokyo Olympics, in straight games 21-14, 21-17 in only 29 minutes.

Their reward is a quarter-final tie against World No 1 and top seeds Marcus Fernaldi Gideon-Kevin Sanjaya Sukamuljo, the home favourites.

The Malaysians have the chance for revenge over the Indonesians who hold a 6-0 advantage from their previous six meetings.

Their last defeat was in the quarter-finals in last week’s Indonesia Masters at the same venue.

The Indonesians, who are on slide in their game, battled for an hour in their 12-21, 21-19, 21-18 win over Koreans Choi Sol Gyu-Kim Won Ho in their second round match that lasted for an hour.

If the Malaysians can ride on their momentum a win over the mighty Indonesians is not impossible.

Momota, who won the Indonesia Masters last week, crashed out after losing to Singapore’s Penang-born Loh Kean Yew in a grueling three games 21-7, 17-21, 21-19 in 69 minutes. The tired looking Momota was the top seed.

In the mixed doubles Roi Olympics silver medalists Chan Peng Soon-Goh Liu Ying, seeded fifth, exacted sweet revenge over Germany’s Jones Ralfy Jansen-Linda Elfer for their first round defeat in the Indonesia Masters with a 21-9, 21-13 win.

The Malaysian professionals will play Koreans Ko Sung Hyun-Eeom Hye Won in the quarter.

Tan Kian Meng-Lai Pei Jing also made it to the quarter-finals after a straight game win over Indonesia’s Adnan Maulana-Mychelle Crhystine Bandaso. The Malaysian mixed doubles pair won 21-8; 21-16 and will take on Dechapol Puavaranukroh- Sapsiree Taerattanachai of Thailand in the quarter.

Earlier, the Thais who won Indonesia Masters last week defeated another Malaysian mixed doubles pair Chen Tang Jie-Peck Yen Wei 21-14; 21-14.

Malaysian pairs in the women’s doubles were shown the exit in the second round. Lee Meng Yean-Yap Cheng Wen fell 14-21, 15-21 to Bulgarian Stoeva sisters Gabriela and Stefani in 35 minutes.

No 8 seeds Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah suffered a shock defeat to Indonesia’s Febriana Dwipuji Kusuma-Amelia Cahaya Pratiwi who won 14-21, 22-20, 21-17 in a 71-minute encounter.

It was a mistake prone match by the Malaysians, winners of the Swiss Open.

”We lost focus and made lot of mistakes. There is still a lot to learn…we lacked rhythm and lacked understanding on the court,” said a disappointed Pearly Tan.

Vivian Hoo and her new partner Lim Chiew Sien fought tooth and nail against Thailand’s No 3 seeds Jongkolphan Kititharakul-Rawinda Prajongjai who prevailed 24-26, 21-12, 21-11 in a marathon 78 minutes.

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 24 – Malaysia’s campaign in the men’s singles at the Super 1000 Indonesia Open (USD850,000) in Denpasar, Bali has ended with the exit of professional Liew Daren in the first round on Wednesday.

On Tuesday, Malaysia’s best hope Lee Zii Jia was also a first round casualty when he lost 21-13, 23-25, 16-21 to Denmark’s Rasmus Gemke.

The Dane had also beaten the seventh ranked Malaysian in last week’s Indonesia Masters.

Liew Daren, a former Thomas Cupper went out in straight games to Indonesia’s Asian Games champion Jonatan Christie who won 21-14, 21-15.

However, there were smiles in the Malaysian camp when two women’s doubles pairs Vivian Hoo-Lim Chiew Sien and Lee Meng Yean-Yap Cheng Wen came through three games to advance to the second round.

Meng Yean-Cheng Wen slogged for 79 minutes against Danish pair Alexandra Boje-Mette Poulsen to prevail 21-12, 19-21, 26-24.

They face a tougher hurdler for a place in the quarter-finals as they will have Bulgarian Stoeva sisters Gabriela and Stefani.

The fifth seeded Bulgarians, known for their hard hitting game ousted India’s Ashwini Ponnappa-N. Sikki Reddy 29-27, 21-18.

Vivian-Chiew Sien are also up against a seeded pair Jongkolphan Kititharakul-Rawinda Prajongjai. The Thais, who are the third seeds, had a first round bye.

Another Malaysian pair Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah cleared their first round hurdle on Tuesday with a 22-20, 21-19 win over Spain’s Clara Azurmendi-Beatriz Corales.

The Malaysians will meet Indonesians Febriana Dwi Kusuma-Amalia Cahaya Pratiwi in the second round.

It was the end of the road for mixed doubles Hoo Pang Ron-Cheah Yee See after a 21-18, 21-12 defeat to Japan’s Yuta Watanabe-Arisa Higashino.

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 23 – It was another first round disaster for Lee Zii Jia in Denpasar, Bali – this time in the Indonesia Open when the seventh seeded Malaysian crashed out in the first round in the Super 1000 event on Tuesday.

And for the second successive tournament, he fell to Denmark’s Rasmus Gemke who is ranked No 13.

In last week’s Indonesia Masters, he retired in the first game after trailing 11-9. In the Indonesia Open, which offers USD850,000 in prize money, Zii Jia fell in three games, 21-13, 23-25, 16-21 in 67 minutes.

It is all the more hurting for Zii Jia when he was leading 11-7 and then held match point at 20-19 but allowed the Dane to force the rubber with a 25-23 win.

“I must admit it’s my mistake. I lost focus and allowed the Dane to come back into the game. He played better to win the match,” said Zii Jia on his defeat.

Malaysia, however enjoyed wins in the men’s doubles and mixed doubles to stay alive. Malaysia will have a pair in the men’s doubles quarter-finals when Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik face Ong Yew Sin-Teo Ee Yi in the second round.

Tokyo Olympics bronze medalists Aaron Chia-Wooi Yik defeated Germany’s Mark Lamsfuss-Marvin Seidel 25-23, 21-12 in 41 minutes to advance.

Yeo Sin-Ee Yi stopped newly formed combination Ten Kian Meng-Tan Wee Kiong 21-11, 21-11.

Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani also cleared their first hurdle. Ranked No 9 Sze fei-Nur Izzuddin stopped the French pair of Christo Popov-Toma Junior Popov 22-20, 21-10 in 38 minutes.

The Malaysians, however, have a mountain to climb for a place in the quarter-final as their second round opponents are Tokyo Olympic champions Lee Yang-Wang Chi Lin of Chinese Taipei.

Earlier, Lee Yang-Wang Chi Lin defeated another Malaysian pair Goh V Shem-Low Juan Shen 21-14; 21-16.

In the women’s doubles, Pearly Tan-M.Thinaah also cleared the first round hurdles after a straight win over Clara Azurmendi-Beatriz Corrales of Spain. The young Malaysian pair won 21-19; 22-20.

In an all-Malaysian encounter in the mixed doubles Tan Kian Meng-Lai Pei Jing edged Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai Jemie 22-20, 21-17 to set up a second round clash against Indonesians Adnan Maulana-Mychelle Crhystine Bandaso.

Chen Tang Jie-Peck Yen Wei also advanced after a 63-minute battle against Japan’s Yuki Kaneko-Misaki Matsutomo – coming back from a one game deficit to prevail 19-21, 21-18, 21-15.

Professionals and fifth seeds Chan Peng Soon-Goh Liu Ying triumphed 21-12, 21-17 over Indonesia’s Zachariah Josiahno Sumanti-Hediana Julimarbela.

PETALING JAYA, Nov 23 – With Sarawak United supremo Datuk Posa Majais taking a tidak apa (couldn’t care less) attitude in settling overdue salaries for players and officials despite his promises, the writing is on the wall – the break up of the Golden Hornbills.

Several players have already been pinched by other teams after Sarawak United’s brilliant run in the Premier League and the Malaysia Cup despite salary issues.

In the Premier League, Sarawak United finished runners-up to gain promotion to the elite Super League next season.

Head coach E. Elavarasan did not stop at that…he guided the team to the Malaysia Cup quarter-finals despite having super league outfits Kuala Lumpur City FC, Sri Pahang and Penang FC in the group.

Salaries have not been paid up to three months. This is a surprise because the state government backing the team financially but Posa seems to have his own ways of dealing with the finance matters and only he can provide the answers.

Maybe, someone should drill into Posa that the welfare of the players takes priority, instead of just wanting a position in the FA of Malaysia (FAM) or any other association for the perks and rewards that come with it. For the record, Posa is the national Under-23 team manager.

Due to the nagging salary issues, several players are on the move. Defenders Khair Jones, Tommy Mawat Bada and Badrul Effendy are set to join neighbouring Sabah FC for the new season.

Sabah has a new head coach in Datuk Ong Kim Swee, who is beefing up the Rhinos for the new season and he sees the assets in them. Midfielder Zahril Azril Zabri, who is Selangor-born is set to return to Klang Valley outfit.

Next comes the question of whether Elavarasan and technical director B. Satiananthan will remain with Sarawak United when there are nagging issues, apart from salaries, that need to be arrested…and arrested fast if Sarawak football is to make inroads in Malaysian football.

There is no denying that Elavarasan and Satiananthan are true professionals. Just like others, the two have put pride, dignity, honour and responsibility and have played their part in the team’s progress – not forgetting they have been great motivators to the players despite the odds. True professionalism indeed but let’s not forget there is a limit to the said issues.

Sarawak United have four foreigners – Taylor Regan (Australian defender) and Lee Chang Hoon (South Korean midfielder), Nigerian hitman Uche Agba and Brazilian playmaker Sandro Mendonca.

Posa, whose brother is a deputy minister in the current state government, will have a lot to answer as the Sarawak general elections are set to be held soon.

Taking a tidak apa attitude is not the answer, promises must be fulfilied as the players and officials too have families to feed. Their welfare needs to be taken care of in this trying time when the pandemic still rages.

PETALING JAYA, Nov 23 – Defending champions Johor Darul Takzim (JDT) will ride on an away goal after holding Terengganu FC to a 1-1 draw in their first leg Malaysia Cup semi-finals at the Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin Stadium in Gong Badak while Melaka United will be in a similar situation with a 1-1 stalemate against Kuala Lumpur City FC at the KLFA Stadium in Cheras on Monday.

The Turtles shocked the Southern Tigers after only eight minutes of play when Ghanaian Jordan Minta headed home past JDT goalkeeper Farizal Marlias at the near post after Lee Tuck had laid the groundwork with his skills to outwit his two markers.

JDT took time to settle down in the match but Gonzalo Cabrera, Bergson Da Silva and  Arif Aiman muffed the opportunities that came their way. Terengganu FC goalkeeper Suaimi Husin also frustrated JDT.

Brazilian Bergson finally ended the frustration on 51 minutes. Despite two markers on him, Bergson did enough to shrug them off and finished it with a stiff shot past Suhaimi.

“Of course we did not get what we aimed for…not to concede at home. However, this is football and we look towards to the return leg. The final is still open and it is left to us to work for it,” said Terengganu FC head coach Nafuzi Zain.

His JDT counterpart Benjamin Mora is confident that his team will get a positive result at the Sultan Ibrahim Stadium in the return leg this Friday.

”We should have sealed the match here (in Gong Badak) as we played better in the second half. It’s okay we will get the result in JB,” said the long-serving Mexican.

At the KLFA Stadium, KL City head coach Bojan Hodak said the draw against Melaka is a
”fair result” for his tired team on a heavy pitch.

KL City fell behind in the eighth minute when Brazilian Adriano Narcizo blasted home an unstoppable left footed freekick from outside the box.

KL goalkeeper Kevin Mendoza could only watch the ball hit the back of the net due to the power behind the shot.

Colombian hot-shot Romel Morales was marked man and was not given much room by the Melaka United backline. Goalkeeper Khairul Fahmi Che Mat (pic left) was also inspiring in his role for the visitors.

KL finally found the net in the 27th minute when skipper Paulo Josue sent perfect cross from the right for Zhafri Yahyah plant a glancing header past Khairul for the equaliser.

”We did well in defending but we lacked in attacking…there were less scoring chances from the team tonight,” said Melaka United head coach Zainal Abidin Hassan.

”Melaka need to rectify the shortcomings for the return leg this Friday. We will ride on the away goal for a positive outcome at home.”

PETALING JAYA, Nov 22 – It is the match that ”underdogs” Terengganu FC want to win badly – more so when the East Coast side is up against Johor Darul Takzim (JDT), the most consistent team in Malaysian football who have won the Super League title for an unprecedented eight times.

Monday’s first-leg Malaysia Cup semi-final to be played at the Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin Stadium in Gong Badak, Kuala Terengganu has become the football talk in the country and it has sent shivers among JDT fans.

It is a toughie, a real toughie for the Southern Tigers who are also the defending champions of the most sought after silverware in Malaysian football.

JDT’s long serving Mexican coach Benjamin Mora has to be aware of the danger that lurks in Gong Badak.

We Bleed Black and White is Terengganu’s slogan and the Southern Tigers will have to take note of the Turtles.

For one, Terengganu head coach Nafuzi Zain has been drilling into his team not to be carried away by JDT’s reputation as eight-time Super League champions apart from being defending Malaysia cup champions.

”Our mission is to beat JDT in the first-leg and enhance our chances of reaching the Malaysia Cup final. We have tough hurdles to clear in the Malaysia Cup semi-finals but it does not mean we cannot beat JDT,” said Nafuzi whose team is oozing with some of the best young football talent in the country.

Many will agree that Terengganu is the most exciting football team in the M-League and only some unexpected results towards the tail end of the Super League competition saw the Turtles slip to fourth place behind JDT, Kedah and Penang.

In the Malaysia Cup quarter-finals JDT struggled to beat Kedah to advance on a 1-0 aggregate after a scoreless draw in the first-le in Alor Setar.

Terengganu, on the other hand won 2-1 at home against Sarawak United and 4-2 away for a 6-3 aggregate.

This is enough to set the tone for the match in Gong Badak. It’s bound to draw the best from Jordan Mintah and Faisal Halim (Terengganu) and Bergson Da Silva or Arif Aiman (JDT) to light up the big match.

In the other semi-final it is the battle of the City dwellers – Kuala Lumpur City FC and Melaka United at the KLFA Stadium in Cheras.

Bojan Hojak has turned out to be a master tactician for KL and the team is unbeaten at home and playing to an empty stadium is no big deal for the Croatian.

KL has been punished by the Malaysian Football League when their fans invaded the pitch after the second leg quarter-final tie against Selangor FC.

KL won 1-0 with Colombian hitman Romel Morales netting the winner for a 3-0 aggregate.

Melaka United sent out Sabah 4-2 on aggregate with Zainal Abidin Hassan coming off 2-1 winners in the return-leg.

It has been simply a great run as KL hopes to end their nearly three decade emptiness. This is the first time KL is in the semis after 29 years and to beat arch rivals Selangor for that has been described as ”simply great” for KL.

PETALING JAYA, Nov 21 – He was handpicked and promised great things for Selangor football but the Red Giants could only finish fifth in the Super League and flopped at the quarter-final stage in the prestigious Malaysia Cup which brought to end their ”Mission 34”.

For the record Selangor have won the Malaysia Cup (which is celebrating its 100th Anniversary this year) for a record 33 times and were highly touted as favourites with the silverware through their German DNA.

The Red Giants last won the Malaysia Cup in 2015 with a 2-0 win over Kedah in the final played at the Shah Alam Stadium.

The year 2021 is best termed as ”disaster” for Selangor football. With that come news that  Karsten Neitzel’s reign as the head coach of the Red Giants came to an end on Saturday as announced by Selangor Chief Executive Officer Dr. Johan Kamal Hamidon in a statement.

Neitzen was handpicked and strongly recommended to take over the reins from countryman Michael Feichentenbeiner, who was the caretaker coach after B. Satianathan had his services terminated.

In a bizarre twist, the German story does not end here. Instead, Feichentenbeiner takes over as Selangor’s head coach for the new season.

As for Neitzel, who has a contract with the Red Giants that runs through next season, he is earmarked as the new coach of the Selangor feeder team or become the assistant coach to Feichentenbeiner.

It is left to be seen if this will work out – as one German is promoted and one German demoted.

While one German celebrates another is probably drowning his sorrows in a newly minted German brew.

The latest German story in Selangor is set to raise eye brows. What happens next is left to be seen as like many other teams there are ”hidden hands” who have the power to sway things their way to make money.

For the players it is a testing time for them. Whether they stay or leave for other teams – will very much depend who gets the thumbs up from the German DNA and whose camp they are in. Survival has become a ”political game” for many.

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 20 – After the stunning win over Olympic champions Lee Yang-Wang Chi Lin of Chinese Taipei in the quarter-finals, much was expected from Malaysia’s top men’s doubles pair Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik in the semi-finals against Japan’s Takuro Hoki at the USD600,000 Daihatsu Indonesia Masters in Bali on Saturday.

Instead, it turned out to be false call as the Tokyo Olympics bronze medal winners battled in vain against the Japanese prevailed 18-21, 21-19, 21-17 in a 63 minutes thriller.

The Japanese went into the match with a 3-2 lead in the head to head count against the Malaysians.

The defeat in Bali, Aaron-Wooi Yik are still chasing their dreams of winning a first BWF World Tour title. The setback also means the Malaysians’ could miss out playing in the season ending World Tour Finals. Their hopes now rest in next week’s Indonesia Open.

”We lost focus when it mattered most,” said Aaron Chia on their defeat.

It was a double blow for Malaysia when professionals Teo Ee Yi-Ong Yew Sin faltered against top seeds and World No 1 Marcus Fernaldi Gideon-Kevin Sanjaya Sukamuljo after winning the first game 21-18.

However, the Indonesians checked their game and forced a rubber by winning the second game 21-17.

There was no stopping the Indonesians in the decider as they got into their rhythm to easily win the third game 21-11 and book their place in Sunday’s final after 58 minutes.

The men’s singles final will be between top seed Kento Momota and Denmark’s Anders Antonsen.

Momota downed Taiwanese fourth seed Chou Tien Chen 21-19, 21-11 while the third seeded Dane outplayed India’s K. Srikanth 21-14, 21-9.

Top seed Akane Yamaguchi of Japan will face Korea’s An Seyoung for the women’s singles title. In the semi-finals Yamaguchi defeated India’s No 3 seed P.V. Sindhu 21-13, 21-9 while Seyoung packed off Phittayaporn Chaiwan of Thailand 21-16, 21-13.

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 19 – Malaysia’s top men’s doubles pair Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik had extra spring in their game and it was rewarding straight game 21-13, 21-15 win over reigning Olympic champions Lee Yang-Wang Chi-Lin of Chinese Taipeh – their first win in four outings.

Bali, the venue for the Daihatsu Indonesia Masters Super 750 event that offers USD600,000 in total prize money, will see the Malaysians, winners of the bronze medal at the Tokyo Olympics, take on Japan’s Takuro Hoki-Yugo Kobayashi in the last four on Saturday.

The Japanese, ranked No 10, beat Denmark’s Kim Astrup-Anders Skaarup Rasmussen 19-21, 21-14, 21-19 in their quarter-final match at the Bali Convention Centre.

For the record, Aaron Chia-Wooi Yik have yet to win a BWF World Tour title and things could change for the Malaysians after the morale boosting win over the Taiwanese pair.

World No 14 Ong Yew Sin-Teo Ee Yi also marched into the last four after knocking out Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani in three games 21-13, 18-21, 21-13 in 58 minutes. It will be a tough call for the Malaysian professionals for a place in Sundays final when face World No 1 and top seeds Marcus Fernaldi Gideon-Kevin Sanjaya Sukamuljo in the semis.

The Indonesian favourites, however, have undergone a rocky path this year and the 14th ranked Malaysians should fancy their chances in the holiday resort.

While the men’s doubles celebrated it was the end of the road for women’s doubles Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah who went out 14-21, 15-21 to Japanese pair Nami Matsuyama-Chiharu Shida in 40 minutes.

In the mixed doubles top seeds Dechapol Puavaranukroh-Sapsiree Taerattanachai of Thailand showed Hoo Pang Ron-Cheah See Yee the exit with a 21-17, 21-9 win in 34 minutes.