Latest news with #MalaysiaCups
The Star
23-05-2025
- Sport
- The Star
Coach Bidoglio leaves JDT after three years
PETALING JAYA: Super League champions Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT) have announced the departure of Venezuelan coach Hector Bidoglio. The Southern Tigers issued a statement on Friday (May 23) thanking the 57-year-old for his unwavering commitment and service to the club. "Hector joined JDT as head coach midway through the 2022 season before assuming a technical director role in 2023, and later returned as head coach in the 2024/2025 season, where JDT secured a quadruple," the statement read. "Hector won two Malaysia Super League titles, two FA Cups, two Malaysia Cups and a Charity Cup during his Southern Tigers tenure, unbeaten in all domestic competitions." JDT will be announcing a new head coach soon as part of the club's efforts to elevate standards during the off-season.
The Star
27-04-2025
- Sport
- The Star
It's just heartbreaking for Seladang's former Malaysia Cup hero Saravanan
screams in delight after scoring first goal for Perak during their Premeir One match in Perak Stadium last night./pic by SAZUKI EMBONG/april 26/2003.. PETALING JAYA: When V. Saravanan left Perak earlier this season to resume his career in Finland, he did so with hope – that the club he once starred for would continue thriving and nurturing future national players. Now, that hope is in tatters. The former Perak striker was left stunned after learning that the Seladang had pulled out of the Super League season next year, following an announcement by the club's backers that they could no longer afford to fund the team. Saravanan, 47, who played for Perak from 1998 to 2004 and helped the team lift two Malaysia Cups (1998, 2000), said it was devastating blow. 'First, it was announced that the team wouldn't be sending squads for the President and Youth Cups. I thought maybe the owners wanted to focus solely on the first team,' he said. 'But now, to hear that they are shutting down completely and only pay 20 percent of six months' worth of owed salaries. It is heartbreaking. 'Perak have been a cornerstone of Malaysian football. If they disappear, it would be a massive loss for the country.' Saravanan, who briefly returned as Perak's assistant coach in 2023, said he personally witnessed the emergence of several promising talents - and now fears for their future. 'Moses Raj and Ahmad Daniel Hakimi (Ahmad Azmil) were among the players I helped groom. Moses even made it to the national Under-19 team,' he said. 'I worry for these youngsters. They'll now have to scramble for new clubs. It's tough, and I really empathise with them. 'I still hope someone will step in to save the club and rebuild it. Perak must not die.'
New Straits Times
26-04-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
'Funds dry up, clubs die': Critic paints bleak future for Malaysian football
KUALA LUMPUR: Perak FC's decision to withdraw from next season's Super League has raised alarm bells — a clear sign that deep-rooted issues in Malaysian football can no longer be ignored. Founded in 1921, Perak had played in the M-League for over a century, winning two Super League titles, eight Malaysia Cups and two FA Cups during their illustrious history. Their exit marks the end of an era for one of Malaysia's oldest and most storied clubs, after chairman Datuk Seri Azim Zabidi admitted they could not keep the club afloat despite spending more than RM40 million. Perak are among many teams that have withdrawn or failed to obtain club licensing over the years. Others include Melaka United, PJ City, Kelantan, Perlis, Felda United, Public Bank, Telekom Malaysia, UPB-MyTeam and UiTM — most due to financial issues. Football critic Dr Zulakbal Abdul Karim described Perak's withdrawal as a sad case and a wake-up call for the FA of Malaysia (FAM) and the Malaysian Football League (MFL). "The Perak owner spent millions but could not sustain it, and it's a sad moment for Malaysian football," he told Timesport. "We could see more clubs folding for the same reasons. They are not the first, and they won't be the last. It's time for FAM and MFL to admit their failure. "The privatisation of the M-League has failed. The move from FA to FC has not worked. "Previously, FAs received state government and government-linked funding. Now, under the FC system, clubs are privately owned, and when funds run out, the clubs close down." Zulakbal said accepting failure is the first step towards fixing the M-League and urged FAM and MFL to act swiftly before the situation worsens. "There's no harm in admitting mistakes. FAM and MFL must sit down, study the situation, and work on real solutions instead of carrying on as they are."
New Straits Times
26-04-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
Perak FC officially withdraw from Super League
KUALA LUMPUR: Former Malaysia Cup champions Perak FC have officially announced their withdrawal from next season's Super League, citing financial difficulties. It is a sad day for Malaysian football, with Perak — founded in 1921 — having played in the M-League for more than 100 years. The Bos Gaurus have won two Super League titles, eight Malaysia Cups and two FA Cups throughout their illustrious history. In a heartfelt statement to supporters on Saturday, Perak confirmed they would cease operations after failing to secure the financial backing needed to sustain the club. "It breaks our hearts to say this, but the time has come. We are officially withdrawing from next season's Super League and bringing Perak's journey to a close," said the club. Having inherited nearly RM8 million in unpaid wages when they took over, the current management said they had cleared the debt and spent close to RM40 million over three years in a bid to revive the once-proud team. "We started with big dreams — to build something sustainable, something Perak fans could be proud of. "We believed that with your support, we could create a club that weren't just competitive but rooted in community and passion," read the statement. However, despite their efforts, the management admitted that the support they needed, especially from the state's public and private sectors, never materialised. "The reality is that the support we needed didn't grow the way we hoped. Support from the state's public and private sectors never came in, and the expected growth in the Bos Gaurus' subscriber base fell well short of expectations. "The internal funds have now dried up, and we just can't keep going." The club confirmed that all remaining funds, including revenue from merchandise and league dues, would be channelled towards settling outstanding obligations. "Whatever funds remain — from merchandise, league dues and our final budget — will go towards settling what we owe. It will not be enough, but it's all we have left." Perak, a club rich in history and tradition, thanked the fans who stood by them during difficult times. "This is not the ending we wanted, but we did all we could. Thank you for standing by us, the real fans… through thick and thin. We'll always remember the chants, the pride, and the unwavering love you showed us." Perak chairman Datuk Seri Azim Zabidi said: "We gave everything we had, but without the support we needed, we could no longer keep the club afloat. "This decision was not easy, but we had to be honest with ourselves and the fans. It's a painful end, but we leave knowing we tried our best." Perak's exit will send shockwaves through the local football scene, marking the end of an era for one of Malaysia's oldest and most storied clubs. Under head coach Yusri Che Lah, Perak finished seventh with 30 points in the just-concluded season. With this latest development, next season's Super League will consist of 12 teams — provided no other clubs withdraw.
