Titans Tall Task

T-Team Titans could only drew 1-1 against Sime Darby FC at the Selayang Municipal Stadium last night, a result which saw them dropping back into the relegation zone.

This was due to the Armed Forces (ATM) drawing in Terengganu on Friday and Perak winning their match against the Lions XII 2-0 at the Jalan Besar Stadium.

At Selayang, Patrich Wanggai gave the visitors a dream start with a goal just after eight minutes. However Titans former player, Fadzli Saari levelled the score in the 22nd minute and it stayed until the final whistle.

Perak and ATM would be safe if they win their matches against Pahang and Sime Darby respectively.

This will see The Titans needing to beat The Lions by four clear goals in order to avoid the drop to the second tier Premier League.

Titans head coach,  Azraai Khor would be highly motivated to get the necessary result for his team in order to avoid the embarrassment of suffering consecutive relegations from the Super League after going down with Negeri Sembilan last season.

Johor Darul Takzim (JDT) will be crowned Super League champions if they managed to win at Sarawak intimidating cauldron,  the State Stadium.

Failing to do so could see Selangor taking the title if they manage to get the expected three points against the already relegated PKNS FC.

Canfield Closing in on First World Title

USOne skipper, Taylor Canfield took one step closer to his first World Match Racing Tour (WMRT) title after qualifying to the last four of the season ending event, the Monsoon Cup at Pulau Duyong, Kuala Terengganu.

The holder of the Monsoon Cup finished the qualifying round at the top of the table with nine wins with defeats against current world champions, Ian Williams and Frenchman, Mathieu Richard spoiling his record. Williams however lost to Bjorn Hansen, Adam Minoprio and Phil Robertson to finish second in the table.

The tradition at the event is for the top skipper choosing his opponent for the last eight battle. Canfield chose to sail against Keith Swinton who finished in the last spot of the qualifying round while seventh placed Francessco Bruni was the pick for Williams.

Hansen who finished in third place picked out fourth placed Richard leaving New Zealander Robertson to battle with fellow countryman, Minoprio.

The sky opened up during the quarter-finals which reduced the visibility, forcing the sailors to go back to the dock. When the weather permitted, Canfield who was already leading Swinton finished the job with ease to qualify for the semi-final.

Robertson who was leading Minoprio before the disruption also did not have any problem overcoming the 2009 World Champion in their second match to book his place in the last four.

However the break provided fresh impetus for Bruni who lost his first match against Williams. The Italian found his second wind to level the score. The four time world champions however dug deep into his reserve in the third match to clinch his semi-final spot.

Hansen's decision to pick Richard as his opponent backfired when he lost to the Frenchman and was eliminated.

In the semi-finals tomorrow, Canfield picked Robertson to be his opponent which is going to be a repeat of last year's final while Williams will face off against Richard.


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Favourites Stumble on Opening Day of Malaysia Cup Campaign

Last night saw the first round of matches in the 2013 Malaysia Cup competition were played with a few unexpected results recorded at the end of the ninety minutes.

Group A saw Sime Darby FC which won promotion from the Premier League; upsetting their Super League opponent, the Armed Forces (ATM) 4-3 at the Selayang Stadium.

Another Premier League side, Johor held Selangor to a scoreless draw at the Pasir Gudang Stadium, giving the Red Giants a mixed start to their Mission 33 campaign.

Favourites JDT FC suffered a surprise 2-0 defeat to PKNS FC in Group B with Liberian striker, Patrick Ronaldinho Wleh notching a brace.

In another Group B match, Felda United who were playing for the first time at their new home stadium in Temerloh suffered a 1-0 defeat to T-Team TiTans.

In an East Coast derby at the Darul Makmur, Pahang held holders Kelantan to a 1-1 draw in Group C while relegated Negeri Sembilan won 2-0 against host, Terengganu at the Sultan Ismail Nasiruddin Shah.

Super League champions, Lions XII were held to a 2-2 draw by Premier League side, Kedah at the Jalan Besar Stadium. In Ipoh, Premier League champions, Sarawak began their campaign on the wrong foot after losing 2-1 against Perak.


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Chua Boon Huat Dies

This morning our nation lost another star in the sports fraternity when Chua Boon Huat died in an accident occurred at the Lebuhraya Damansara Puchong.

Boon Huat was recently earned a recall to the national squad by Head Coach, Paul Revington. He was keen to do well in the upcoming Asia Cup 2013, scheduled to be held in Ipoh later this month. The winner of this tournament will qualify automatically for the 2014 World Cup.

The Malacca born player came to prominence when he played for Malaysia as an 18 year old at the 1998 Commonwealth Games in Kuala Lumpur after being given the chance by then Malaysia Head Coach, Paul Lissek.

His was an untimely death and the nation will mourn the loss.


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Malaysia Cup 2013 Draw Ceremony

The draw for the Malaysia Cup 2013 was made at TM Convention Centre this evening. In a ceremony that was broadcasted 'live' over Astro Arena, FAM formally revealed their new main sponsor for the tournament, Watsons the prominent health and beauty store chain in Malaysia.

The draw ceremony, which involved several stars from the Malaysia 1972 Olympic squad including Soh Chin Aun; saw several interesting match-ups.

Group A saw favourites Selangor having the Armed Forces (ATM) as their company. Premier League runners-up, Sime Darby FC was also drawn into the same group together with another Premier League side, Johor FA.

Another Johor side, Darul Takzim FC was picked out to head Group B. The Southern Tigers will have Premier League champions, Sarawak as company with northern sides Perak and Kedah completing the group.

Three east coast sides were drawn together in Group C. FA Cup winners, Kelantan will have to negotiate their way past neighbouring Terengganu and Pahang as well as Negeri Sembilan in order to get out from this group.

Perhaps for the first time in history, a group made up of all club sides was drawn with Lions XII, PKNS FC, T-Team Titans and Felda United were grouped in Group D.

The first round of matches are scheduled for Tuesday, 20 August with the final to be held at Stadium Nasional on 3 November.


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Turtles Through to Last Four

Terengganu eased into the last four of the 2013 FA Cup competition after registering a 3-0 win over Negeri Sembilan in Kuala Terengganu this afternoon.

Ashaari Shamsuddin who missed The Turtles defeat to Darul Takzim FC recently due to suspension, opened the scoring in the 25th minute when he sneaked in unmarked between two defenders to connect with Effa Owona's pass.

Owona then found the net twice against his former team, the first when he reacted first after Faizal Muhammad's header had came off the heels of Negeri Sembilan defender, Mohamad Alif. Another goal was scored from the penalty spot.

Having led 3-1 from the first leg, The Turtles advanced on a 6-1 aggregate and now will meet Kelantan after the holders eliminated Sarawak on a 4-1 aggregate.

The Stags won 2-0 on Kuching with goals coming from Indra Putra Mahyuddin and Norfarhan Mohamad. The match however was not without controversy as three goals by the home side were disallowed by the referee.

After being held to a scoreless draw in Kuantan, Pahang took the initiative against the home side, Premier League leaders Sime Darby FC. Their new signing, Argentine Matias Conti scored a brace in the second half to eliminate last season finalist from the competition.

The Elephants will meet Darul Takzim FC who staged a remarkable comeback against Selangor at the Shah Alam Stadium. The visitors, already trailing 2-1 from the first leg found themselves further adrift after Mahali Jasuli scored for the Red Giants.

However, Leonel Jorge Nunez the Argentinian who was signed to replace the departed Dani Guiza managed to find the net twice in the second half to tie the aggregate to 3-3.

No goal was scored in the extra thirty minutes and the tie had to be decided on penalties. The home side failed to convert two of their kicks which ultimately seal their fate as they lost 4-2 on penalties.


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Turtles Struck at the Death

Two goals in added time brought smiles among the travelling Terengganu fans as their side will take a 3-1 lead back to Kuala Terengganu for the second leg of their FA Cup quarter final tie against Negeri Sembilan.

The home side, currently propping the Super League table put up a display that belied that position as they dominated proceedings in the early part of the match, only to be let down by their frontline inability to finish chances that came their way.

Former Negeri Sembilan striker, Effa Owona was keen to show what the home side are missing this season as he led the line for The Turtles. However he was kept on a tight leash by William Modibo who never let his fellow countryman out of his sight.

The match was played on a heavy pitch after rain came down in the afternoon causing players to slip frequently.

The match saw its first goal in the 73rd minute when a continuous pressure by Negeri Sembilan forced Terengganu defender, Vincent Bikana into making an error when his attempted clearance fell to Nazrin Nawi whose shot finally saw Sharmiza Yusoff beaten.

The Deers fans celebrated wildly but their joy was cut short four minutes later when Owona's smart finish saw the scoreline even once again. The goal seemed to take out the fight from the home side as Terengganu looked the stronger side in the last ten minutes.

Owona then earned a penalty in the last minute after he was fouled by Modibo inside the box. The striker was determined to take the penalty himself, brushing the request from Abdul Manaf Mamat to let him take the spot kick.

It was a bad decision by Owona who saw his attempt well saved by Hamsani Ahmad. The goalkeeper clearly enjoyed the moment as it looked like he had ensured his team will go with a fighting chance to Kuala Terengganu.

However Hamsani looked like a beaten man after four minutes of added time saw his goal was breached twice. First from a Ismail Faruqi's corner when Ashaari Shamsuddin rose highest to flick home at the near post.

Before the goalkeeper could catch his breath again, Terengganu were on the attack again after they managed to break down the home side attack. Abdul Manaf laid the ball into the path of Ahmad Nordin Alias.

Despite Hamsani managed to save the initial shot, the midfielder latched onto the rebound to ensure a healthy lead for his side to bring back to Kuala Terengganu for the second leg.

In Johor Bahru, home side Darul Takzim fell 2-1 to Selangor who scored through Mahali Jasuli and Amri Yahyah before Safee Sali reduced the deficit from the spot kick. Daniel Guiza failed to cap his farewell with a goal after his attempt from the penalty spot was saved by Norazlan Razali.

Pahang failed to use their home advantage to the fullest after they failed to find their way past Premier League side, Sime Darby FC as Ismail Zakaria's boys held the Super League boys to a goalless stalemate.

Joseph Kalang Tie scored a precious away goal for Sarawak in Kota Bahru in his side 2-1 defeat to holders, Kelantan. Faiz Subri had put his side ahead with a wonderful long range shot just after seven minutes before Khairil Izuan Rosli doubled the lead in the 23rd minute.


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