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Malay Mail
09-08-2025
- Sport
- Malay Mail
JDT trounce Selangor 3-0, to lift Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah Cup for the 10th time
ISKANDAR PUTERI, Aug 9 — Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT) continue to excel in a class of their own after defending the Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah Cup champion title for the eighth consecutive time by defeating Selangor FC 3-0 in the Charity Shield match here, last night. The victory in the opening match of the Malaysia League (M-League) at the Sultan Ibrahim Stadium, Iskandar Puteri also gave JDT three points, thus enabling the Southern Tigers to get the perfect start in their mission to win the Super League for the 12th time in a row. In JDT's first competitive match under their new Spanish coach, Xisco Munoz last night, new striker Jairo Da Silva from Brazil, defender Eddy Israfilov and agile winger Arif Aiman Mohd Hanapi each made their name as scorers in each half. Da Silva, a former striker for Cyprus club Pafos FC, punished the negligence of Selangor's defence as early as the first minute when he quickly found space to finish off Jonathan Silva's cross from the left, putting JDT ahead 1-0. Selangor under coach Kinoshi Katsuhito, who rarely create dangerous moves, wasted a golden opportunity to equalise in the 42nd minute when striker Chrigor Moraes failed to beat goalkeeper Ahmad Syihan Hazmi Mohamed in a one on one situation. Continuing the second half, Selangor goalkeeper Kalamullah Al Hafiz Mat Rowi performed brilliantly when denying two close-range attempts by JDT, each by Jaoa Figuiredo in the 51st minute and substitute striker Bergson Da Silva in the 62nd minute. However, he was beaten for the second time when Israfilov jumped high to head in Arif Aiman's corner kick for JDT's second goal in the 64th minute, which delighted about 32,777 spectators in the stadium. Arif Aiman completed JDT's stylish victory with a third goal after he, who was not well guarded, made a run into the penalty box and fired a powerful shot that Kalamullah failed to save in the 73rd minute. The 3-0 score remained until the final whistle and was enough to allow JDT to win the Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah Cup for the 10th time since the 2015 season. The clash between JDT and Selangor last night is also considered a 'deferred revenge' after the last edition's meeting had to be cancelled following Selangor's withdrawal at the last minute. At that time, Selangor had to withdraw following criminal incidents that befell several of their players, including the acid attack incident on Faisal Halim on May 5 last year. Following that, JDT was declared a 3-0 'free win' and earned three Super League points. — Bernama
Malay Mail
01-08-2025
- Business
- Malay Mail
MFL: M-League teams can register three more local players for new season
KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 1 — All the teams competing in the 2025-2026 Malaysia League (M-League) season can add three more local players to their squad, taking the total number of players they can register to 33. The Malaysian Football League (MFL) said the MFL Board of Directors decided this at a special meeting recently after considering applications seeking additional quota for local players from several clubs, particularly from the Malaysia A1 Semi-Pro League. 'This is because these clubs, during the first season, are exempted from having developmental teams (President's Cup, Youth Cup, Under-17 and Under-10), in addition to the abolishment of the MFL Cup for the 2025-2026 season. 'Therefore, the additional quota of three local players can provide more player options for clubs without developmental teams,' the MFL said in a statement today. However, it stressed that clubs don't need to fill up the additional three local player quota. Instead, the decision depends on the requirements and financial capability of the clubs, in view of this season's Financial Fair Play (FFP) regulations, with clubs limited to spending a maximum of 80 per cent of their annual budget on player salaries. With the addition of three local players, the M-League clubs can now register 33 players — 18 local players and 15 foreigners. All clubs can register their players until the closing date of the first transfer window on August 31, while the second transfer window will be from January 5, 2026, to February 1, 2026. — Bernama
Malay Mail
10-07-2025
- Business
- Malay Mail
MFL cuts foreign player quota to six for 2025–2026 M-League season, cites need to develop local talent
KUALA LUMPUR, July 10 — The Malaysian Football League (MFL) yesterday announced an amendment to the foreign player ruling for the Malaysia League (M-League) 2025–2026 season, reducing the number of foreign players allowed on the pitch to six, from the previously announced seven. The decision was made following the 14th MFL Board of Directors (BOD) Meeting for the 2021–2025 term, taking into consideration the impact on the league and the development of local players. In a statement, MFL said the revised foreign player quota will now be 6+3 (substitutes), with a composition of 4 World + 1 Asia + 1 ASEAN players, compared to the previous 7+2 (substitutes) of 4 World + 1 Asia + 2 ASEAN. 'The decision to reduce one foreign player on the pitch is seen as a step towards balancing local and foreign players in the starting eleven on matchday. 'MFL believes that while foreign players add appeal and competitiveness to the league, developing local talent remains a core agenda to support the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) in strengthening the Harimau Malaya squad,' the statement added. MFL said the decision also followed feedback from clubs, many of whom felt that additional ASEAN players had little impact on team performance. However, the total number of foreign players a club can register remains at 15. 'Clubs are not obligated to fill the foreign quota, as it depends on their specific needs and financial capacity. 'This is in line with the monitoring of club spending under the Financial Fair Play (FFP) framework, which will enforce a salary cap mechanism limiting player wages to 80 per cent of each club's budget,' it said. In another development, MFL announced the M-League 2025–2026 calendar, with the season kicking off on Aug 8 with the Charity Shield match between Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT) and Selangor FC at the Sultan Ibrahim Stadium — which also doubles as the Super League's opening match. According to MFL, the Super League season is expected to end on May 16, 2026 — a 10-month run compared to the 14-month transitional season previously. 'The FA Cup is scheduled to begin on August 15, 2025, with the final set for December 14, 2025. 'The prestigious Malaysia Cup will kick off on January 17, 2026, with the final slated for May 23, 2026,' it added. Meanwhile, the MFL Challenge Cup will begin on February 6, 2026, with the two-legged final matches scheduled for April 4 and April 18, 2026. 'This season, MFL has released the full-season calendar at once, unlike last season's phased announcement. However, adjustments may still be needed due to the AFC's upcoming draw for the AFC Champions League Elite (ACLE) and AFC Champions League 2 (ACL2) on August 15, involving JDT and Selangor FC. 'In addition, both clubs will also participate in the ASEAN Club Championship, with the complete match schedule only released yesterday by the AFF, which has delayed MFL's ability to finalise the M-League calendar earlier for clubs and supporters,' it said. — AFP
Malay Mail
02-07-2025
- Sport
- Malay Mail
VAR to be refined for new M-League season after controversial debut, says MFL
KUALA LUMPUR, July 2 — The Malaysian Football League (MFL) has said improvements will be made for the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system for use in the upcoming Malaysia League (M-League) 2025/2026 season after several controversial incidents during its introduction last season. Acting MFL chief executive officer Mohd Shazli Shaik Mohd said two special briefings regarding the improvement of the system were conducted by the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) together with representatives of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and the International Football Federation (Fifa). According to him, this is a step to improve the quality of refereeing ahead of the new season. 'The improvements are not yet in place, but we are aware of it (the issue) because last year was the first time VAR was implemented. 'So from the issues we identified last year, we will improve it for the new season,' he said recently. Last year, FAM Referees Committee chairman Datuk S. Sivasundaram said the performance of the referees and the implementation of VAR were rated as excellent, with an average of 0.57 'On-field Review' (OFR) per match and an average of 2.27 minutes of added time used for VAR reviews. However, several errors sparked criticism, including after referee Razlan Joffri Ali and a VAR official were suspended for two matches after the Super League match between Perak and Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT). Razlan, however, came in for high praise for his excellent refereeing in the 2024–2025 Malaysia Cup final between JDT and Sri Pahang, which JDT won 2–1. Mohd Shazli said the MFL is also now on the right track to ensure that the 2025/2026 M-League season runs smoothly and is free from scheduling delays like those that occurred last season. Therefore, according to him, the full schedule of the new M-League season will be announced after several important elements, such as the Shopee Cup draw and Asian Champions League (ACL), are finalised. — Bernama
Malay Mail
24-06-2025
- Sport
- Malay Mail
JDT add Malaysian international Hector Hevel as fifth signing for upcoming M-League season
JOHOR BARU, June 24 — Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT) have reinforced their squad for the 2025-2026 Malaysia League (M-League) season with the signing of Malaysia international Hector Hevel, underlining their intent to maintain domestic dominance. The Southern Tigers announced the arrival of the 29-year-old Dutch-born midfielder through a video shared on their official Facebook page late last night, shortly after confirming the addition of Spanish-born defender Jon Irazabal. Hevel, who qualifies to represent Malaysia through heritage, will wear the number 8 jersey with JDT this upcoming season. 'Welcome to the Home of Champions, Hector Hevel. Midfield maestro Hector Hevel is our latest addition!' the club posted in the announcement. The former ADO Den Haag and Portimonense player made a strong start to his international career, scoring on his debut in Malaysia's 2-0 win over Nepal during the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers in March. He also featured prominently in the national team's 4-0 victory over Vietnam in their Group F qualifier at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil on June 10. With Hevel and Irazabal joining the squad, JDT have now confirmed five new signings ahead of the new season. The other new additions include forward Ibrahim Manusi, Brazilian midfielder Jairo Da Silva and Spanish defender Antonio Glauder. — Bernama
