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.
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