Latest news with #T.Saravanan
The Star
08-05-2025
- Sport
- The Star
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.
The Star
30-04-2025
- Business
- The Star
Pahang get lifeline as closing date for new Super League season extended
T. Saravanan celebrates with his team after scoring Pahang's first during the Malaysia Cup final against at National Stadium, Bukit Jalil. — FAIHAN GHANI/The Star PETALING JAYA: Financially-strapped football clubs in the country have been handed a much-needed lifeline after being granted a 10-day extension to complete their club licensing documentation for the 2025 Super League season. The First Instance Body (FIB) has agreed to extend the deadline, which was originally set for April 30, to allow more time for clubs to finalise their paperwork. The extension comes after several teams appealed to the Malaysian Football League (MFL) for more time to comply with the licensing requirements. 'The FIB has agreed to grant an extension for clubs to complete all necessary documentation under the 2024-2025 Club Licensing Cycle for the National Licence via the AFC CLAS system. 'The new deadline for all Super League clubs to submit the required documents is now set for May 10, 2025. 'It is our hope that with this extension, all outstanding documentation can be completed by the stipulated date,' said FIB in a statement released on Wednesday. Financial troubles have once again cast a shadow over Malaysian football, with teams such as Kedah and Kuala Lumpur facing issues related to outstanding player salaries. Perak have already confirmed they will not take part in next season's Super League, while the future of Pahang remains uncertain following club owner Tengku Abdul Rahman Sultan Ahmad Shah's announcement that he plans to step away next season.
New Straits Times
26-04-2025
- Sport
- New Straits Times
JDT complete triple quadruple with Malaysia Cup triumph
KUALA LUMPUR: Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT) battled to a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Sri Pahang in the Malaysia Cup final to retain their title at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil on Saturday. The win saw the Southern Tigers complete a historic triple quadruple, having already secured the Super League, FA Cup and Charity Shield this season, in front of nearly 56,000 fans. It was Sri Pahang who struck first, with T. Saravanan pouncing on a rebound off JDT goalkeeper Syihan Hazmi to fire the Elephants into a surprise lead in the 14th minute. However, Fandi Ahmad's side were dealt a major blow just 20 minutes later. Midfielder Sergio Aguero was sent off after picking up two yellow cards in quick succession — the second for a reckless challenge on JDT's Heberty Fernandes in the 35th minute — forcing Sri Pahang to play the remainder of the match with 10 men. They clung onto their slender lead at half-time. JDT coach Hector Bidoglio made a double change after the break, bringing on Romel Morales and Iker Martinez for Natxo Insa and Juan Muniz. The move shifted the momentum. In the 54th minute, after a collision between Oscar Arribas and Azrif Nasrulhaq, referee Razlan Joffri Ali awarded a penalty following a lengthy VAR review. Bergson da Silva calmly slotted home from the spot to level the score, making up for an earlier disallowed goal for offside. Parity in numbers was restored just three minutes later when JDT's Park Jun Heong was sent off for a second bookable offence after bringing down Mykola Ahapov. With both sides down to 10 men, the Southern Tigers pressed relentlessly. The breakthrough came in the 74th minute when Arif Aiman Hanapi fired home the winner, sealing JDT's comeback and etching their name once again in Malaysian football history.
