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The Star
9 hours ago
- Sport
- The Star
Brunei, Kuching set for FA Cup fireworks
PETALING JAYA: Brunei's return to the Malaysian League comes with an immediate test – a clash against fellow Borneo side Kuching City in the FA Cup round of 16. The match is among the headline fixtures of the knockout stage after the draw on Monday. It would be an exciting affair, as Kuching City, led by the charismatic Singaporean tactician Aidil Sharin, boast some top talents like Ramadhan Saifullah and Daniel Amier Norhisham. As for Brunei, they are building a solid team, with Indonesian star striker Ramadhan Sananta one of the players to watch in the domestic scene. Another exciting fixture features Melaka taking on Penang, with both clubs having made headlines recently by signing experienced names to bolster their squads. Defending champions JDT will begin their title defence against UM-Damansara, while Selangor, last season's runners-up, are set to face university side Malaysian University. The other semi-pro club, Bunga Raya, will take on Sabah. Elsewhere, Negri Sembilan will visit Police at the Selayang Municipal Council Stadium, and two-time winners Terengganu will clash with Immigration. Meanwhile, Kelantan, eager to bounce back from a tough league campaign, will host Kuala Lumpur in what could be a close contest. For the first time, the round of 16, quarter-finals, and semi-finals will be played over two legs, raising the stakes and strategic complexity for all involved. Eight top-ranked teams from the 2024/2025 Super League season - defending cup champions Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT), Selangor, Sabah, Kuching City, Terengganu, Kuala Lumpur, Police, and Penang - received automatic qualification to the round of 16 and have been seeded. They will begin their campaigns as away teams. The remaining eight teams include three newcomers – Melaka, Immigration, and Brunei alongside two Super League bottom sides, Negri Sembilan and Kelantan, and the three semi-pro outfits. These clubs will host the first legs of the round of 16. As history stands, Selangor and Kedah remain the most successful clubs in FA Cup history with five titles each. Pahang and Kuala Lumpur have three titles, while JDT, the reigning champions, boast four. Other past winners include Perak, Kelantan, Terengganu, and Negri Sembilan with two titles each, and Sabah, Sarawak, Penang, Johor, and Lions XII, all of whom have lifted the trophy once. The round of 16 will kick off on Aug 16, with the final scheduled for December 2025, promising months of high-stakes football and the chance for new stories to be written in Malaysian football folklore.
Borneo Post
14-07-2025
- Sport
- Borneo Post
Sabah FC still shaping squad for M-League
Sabah FC forward Darren Lok (right) keeps the pressure on a Buriram United FC player. – Photo from Sabah FC Facebook KOTA KINABALU (July 14): Sabah FC are still in the team-building phase as they continue to make preparation for the upcoming Malaysian League, which is scheduled for early August kick-off. Head coach Alto Linus made the remark after the Rhinos suffered a 8-2 pre-season defeat to Thailand's top-ranked side Buriram United FC in Pattani yesterday. Stuart Wilkin and substitute Azhad Harraz were on the scoresheet for the Rhinos. While the scoreline was disappointing, Alto however preferred to look at the positive side of things, saying playing against one of the most successful clubs in South East Asia was a good learning experience for the Rhinos. 'The match was very useful in assessing the team's readiness. 'We faced one of the best clubs in South East Asia and it exposed several weaknesses that need to be addressed immediately, especially in terms of defense and game transitions,' he said in a statement issued by the Club today. Commenting further, Alto said the team which started pre-season training less than one month ago and with only one match played prior to Sunday's game, still need to work on their fitness. 'I believe we need another three to four friendly matches before we are truly ready for league,' he added. Meanwhile, Alto praised the performance of the young players recently promoted from the under-23 squad, saying they have shown progress in terms of maturity and commitment when given the chance to play alongside senior players. In addition, new foreign recruits Dean Pelekanos, Dane Ingham and Ajdin Mujagic also featured in the match and progressing well. 'I'm pleased with their current performances and they can only be even better. 'I hope their fitness levels and chemistry with the team will improve much before the league begins,' he added. Alto also expected the team would be even formidable especially at the back when key players Dominic Tan and Gabriel Peres, both central defenders, returned to full fitness. Sabah FC, who finished third in the Super League last season, will open the new campaign against Melaka FC at the Likas Stadium on August 10.
The Star
10-07-2025
- Sport
- The Star
State to prioritise nurturing local football talents
Selangor is adopting a hybrid model for its football development, with priority placed on nurturing local talents. State youth, sports and entrepreneurship committee chairman Mohd Najwan Halimi said though recruiting heritage players with international exposure could improve the performance of Selangor Football Club (SFC) at both domestic and regional levels, it risked increasing the team's expenses and negatively impacting local football's identity. Heritage players are those with blood ties to Malaysia. 'SFC believes that the hybrid model is more sustainable, as it can increase the team's competitiveness while preserving its identity among Selangor folk,' he said during the Selangor State Assembly sitting at Bangunan Dewan Negeri Selangor in Shah Alam. Mohd Najwan: Hybrid model can increase Selangor Football Club's competitiveness. He was responding to a question by Noor Najhan Mohamad Salleh (PN-Sementa) on whether Selangor government and SFC would consider recruiting heritage players from Europe to enhance the state's football team to a level that could win the Malaysian League (M-League). Mohd Najwan said various initiatives were currently underway to bridge the disparity in skill levels between heritage and local players. 'Selangor Football Association, through various development programmes for coaches, referees and amateur players as well as state-level football leagues for various age groups, has built a strong foundation for nurturing local talents. 'SFC, on the other hand, focuses on talent scouting and development of elite-level coaches. 'This ensures that the best local players across all age groups can be identified and exposed to high-quality training. 'SFC also fosters strategic relationships with professional football clubs in Asia and Europe so that the best players in Selangor can gain international exposure to bridge the gap between local and international players,' he said. On July 9, the Malaysian Football League announced an amendment to the foreign player ruling for the M-League 2025-2026 season, reducing the number of foreign players allowed on the pitch to six, from the previously announced seven. The new season is slated to start on Aug 8.
The Star
09-07-2025
- Sport
- The Star
Brazilian Careca aims to stamp his mark with Terengganu
PETALING JAYA: Brazilian playmaker Rainderson da Costa also known as Careca is back on Malaysian soil and determined to make an impact, this time in the black-and-white of Terengganu. The seasoned attacker, who previously plied his trade in the Malaysian League with Perak in 2021, has signed with Terengganu for the ongoing season and is already feeling the energy of a club steeped in tradition. "I decided to join this club because I know about Terengganu's history," said Da Costa. "They are a big club with passionate fans. You can see full houses most matchdays. That says everything." Having had a prior stint in Malaysia, the 29-year-old brings valuable experience to the squad and is no stranger to the pace and style of the domestic game. "It helps that I've played here before. I know the style, and I'm comfortable with it. My focus is on both attacking and defending. I just want to give my best," he said. But the Brazilian is not just here to be part of the set-up, he's here to chase silverware. "My personal goal is to be champion this year. I want to score many goals and make assists. I want to help the team and the players. I want to give 100%.' With Terengganu eyeing a strong finish this season, the arrival of da Costa could prove to be a game-changer in their attacking ambitions. Backed by roaring home crowds and driven by the hunger for success, the Brazilian has only one mission, deliver results and make his mark.
The Star
06-07-2025
- Sport
- The Star
Pahang legend Jamal admits decision to withdraw from Super League was inevitable
Bad omen: Pahang's Sergio Aguero is shown the red card during the Malaysia Cup final against Johor Darul Ta'zim on April 26. Pahang went on to lose 2-1. PETALING JAYA: The absence of several once dominant clubs from the Malaysian football scene has raised alarm bells, with the latest blow being the withdrawal of 2004 Super League champions Pahang from the 2025–2026 season. The Malaysian Football League (MFL) yesterday officially confirmed that last season's Malaysian Cup finalists had submitted an official letter dated June 16 to notify the governing body of their decision to withdraw from all competitions for the 2025–26 season. Former Pahang legend Datuk Jamal Nasir admitted the decision was disappointing but believes the management had no choice, especially given the club's past issues with unpaid salaries. He also urged fans not to point fingers at the management, who were forced to make this difficult decision. 'It's certainly a letdown for Pahang football fans. This club used to be among the best in the Super League and even reached the Malaysia Cup final. Now they won't be part of the league next season,' said Jamal. 'I'm saddened too, but I believe there are valid reasons behind the decision. The management may have been left with no alternative. 'I hope the fans will be patient. There may be several matters the club need to resolve first, even though they were granted the national licence. I believe pulling out of the league is the right decision for now. 'So to me, there's nothing wrong with Pahang taking a step back to regroup, make proper preparations and fix what needs to be fixed. ''Hopefully, they'll come back stronger in the future. Whatever it is, I remain positive about the decision,' he added. Speculation over Pahang's withdrawal had been swirling since March and gained further traction when club owner Tengku Abdul Rahman hinted at stepping away from managing the team next season, shortly after the Malaysian Cup final against Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT) on April 27. Earlier, Kedah and Perak also had to take the same route, pulling out of the Malaysian League due to worsening financial troubles. Both clubs are still dealing with salary arrears, with many players yet to be paid. With Pahang's withdrawal, only 13 teams have confirmed their participation in the 2025–2026 Malaysian League season. They are Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT), Selangor, Penang, Kuching City, Sabah, Terengganu, Negri Sembilan, Kelantan, Kuala Lumpur, Police and DPMM (Brunei), along with two clubs from the AFL A1, Malacca and Immigration.
