Big Boys...

...Coming In.

Today the big boys in Malaysian football will take to the field as the Malaysian Super League kick-off with seven matches across the nation. It is also the day which will see Singapore returning to the Malaysian football scene after leaving in 1995.

In the round only afternoon kick-off, Felda United will take on Sabah at the Hang Jebat Stadium in Melaka at 4.45pm. Meanwhile further down south, Singapore XII host defending Super League champions, Kelantan at the Jalan Besar Stadium. The match is scheduled to kick off at 7.45pm.

The Lions skipper, Shahril Ishak is wary of the East Coast team's reputation but they have made a dossier of the Stags strengths and weaknesses and now are ready to take on Peter Butler's charges. The Singaporeans are also hoping the unfamiliarity of Malaysian teams playing on an artificial pitch will be to their advantage.

Across the South China Sea, Robert Alberts' boys will face Kuala Lumpur on their return to the top flight. Last season Premier League runners-up are looking to take full points against the cash strapped City Boys who are made up with almost entirely new face for the new season.

At the Tuanku Abdul Rahman Stadium in Paroi, two coaches whose teams met on the last day of the 2011 Malaysian League, will meet on the first day of this season competition. Azrai Khor Abdullah whose Negeri Sembilan team got the better of Irfan Bakti's Terengganu in the Malaysia Cup final will entertain the Kelantanese coach who this time will try his luck with the Red Giants of Selangor.

Terengganu meanwhile under new Head Coach, Mat Zan Mat Aris will have to rely on local talents at least until March after their foreign players are ruled ineligible to play in the league by FAM, despite receiving a circular stating they are able to sign them beyond the registration deadline.

FAM Secretary-General Datuk Azzudin Ahmad later apologized for the mix-up and clarified that the circular was referring to the AFC Cup competition and not the league.

The Turtles travel to Ipoh to take on The Buffaloes and after finishing last season Super League in second place, are hoping for a good start to ensure they will be able to challenge for the title again.

In Kuala Terengganu, club side PBDKT T-Team entertain Kedah at the Sultan Ismail Nasiruddin Shah. After losing three influential players in Norfarhan Muhammad, Indra Putra Mahyudin and Azizi Che Rose during the close season, T-Team have strengthen their side with the signing of Selangor duo Fadzlie Saari and Iqbal Suhaimi, former Perlis striker Zachariah Simukonda and Bosnian defender, Bojan Petric.

The Canaries meanwhile have retained most of their core players and will be hoping to get a good result in Kuala Terengganu in order for them to improve on their fourth place finish last season.


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