Jumbo blow for Pahang
Delivering the goods: Pahang's T. Saravanan (right) scored against JDT in the Malaysia Cup final.
PETALING JAYA: Striker T. Saravanan scored a splendid goal for Pahang in the Malaysia Cup final two weeks ago. It was probably his last for the team.
Pahang are closing down and Saravanan, along with his teammates, has had to bid goodbye.
In a cryptic posting on social media, Saravanan wrote: 'Thank you so much Pahang.'
Although there was no official statement, it is learnt the Malaysia Cup runners-up Pahang, who lost 1-2 to Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT) in the final last month, are pulling out of the Super League next season - adding more misery to a beleaguered domestic football scene.
Playmaker Sergio Aguero is another player who had to say goodbye in an unhappy manner. His last outing, the Malaysia Cup final, saw him being sent off after two yellow cards.
After the match, he was left apologising to the fans, teammates and coach.
Yesterday, he was again in a despondent mood as he posted his farewell on Instagram.
'Today, I find it hard to put into words what Pahang mean to me. Five years ago, I arrived here as a stranger. I didn't know what to expect – all I had was a dream and a heart full of hope.
'But from the first day, Pahang welcomed me with open arms.
'Through every battle on the pitch, every moment of victory and defeat, I wore the Pahang jersey with pride, knowing I was part of something special.
'Because of Pahang, I grew not just as a player, but as a person. You made me one of your own – and with your blessing, I was even able to call Malaysia my home through citizenship.
'That honour ... I will carry with me for the rest of my life. No matter where football takes me next, Pahang will always be in my heart.'
While goalkeeper Azfar Arif also said goodbye, another player, who did not want to be named, said: 'The team coordinator gave us the letters and told us the status of the club. It looks like we have to move on and look for other clubs.'
Pahang's exit will see them joining Perak, who became the first team to leave the league due to unpaid salary issues.
However, Pahang have yet to make an official announcement on their status with the club licensing deadline tomorrow.
It had earlier been reported that team owner Tengku Abdul Rahman Sultan Ahmad Shah was stepping down but now, it is learnt the club themselves will leave the scene.
This season, the side coached by Singaporean legend Fandi Ahmad finished eighth in the league but made it to the Malaysia Cup final where they lost 1-2 to JDT.
The team, established in 1959, have been one of the biggest teams in the local landscape. The Elephants won the Division One title four times (1987, 1992, 1995 and 1999) and the Super League in 2004.
They have also won the Malaysia Cup four times (1983, 1992, 2013 and 2014) and the FA Cup three times (2006, 2014, and 2018). But with powerhouse JDT sweeping all before them, Pahang have been trophy-less since 2018.
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