Malaysia Super League 2014: Selangor Finally On Top (Pahang 0-1 Selangor)

Selangor got the top spot in the league table after dispensing an extraordinary home annihilation to Pahang at Darulmakmur.

MSL’s greatest match of the season yet was played recently between league leaders and home side Pahang and second-placed Selangor.

Both groups went into the match level on points, and required to win keeping in mind the end goal to detach themselves with whatever remains of the pack.

The Elephants were the all the more persuading side from the whistle, and practically discovered the opener through their forward, Matias Conti's attempt following Azmi Muslim’s mistake. Anyhow his shot at the 13th minute mark of the game was palmed away easily by Red Giants goalkeeper, Farizal Marlias.

With their Brazilian forward Paulo Rangel stamped from the get go by Pahang, Selangor infrequently went ahead and put something aside for a sprinkling of runs from their winger Andik Vermansyah. By the 23rd minute, Pahang have had six corner kicks while the visitors had none.

Previous Selangor player, Azidan Sarudin verged on scoring in the 26th minute from a freekick taken at the edge of the penalty box after R. Gopinathan was fouled, yet his attempt could just brush the top of the Selangor bar.

The first half ended with 0-0 on both sides.

Four minutes later after the second half had started; Azidan again undermined the Selangor goal from outside the box, this time through an on-the-run strike after being teed up by Dickson Nwakaeme. Too bad, he missed the upper right corner by a couple of anguishing millimetres.

However against the run of play, the visitors finally discovered the opening goal during the 65th minute mark of the game. A sudden push ahead that was impelled by Andik, was done independent from anyone else after he was released by Rangel in the Pahang box opening the ball past goalkeeper, Nasril Nourdin.

However Pahang were not behind for the need of shots. They had various chances, yet their forward Nwakaeme and Conti were not on their top form.

In the withering minutes of the match, Nwakaeme had an opportunity to discover the equalizer through a free header, yet his header headed over.

The match was finally sealed by Selangor into 1-0.

Selangor was able to surpass Pahang to go on top through the win. The thrashing was additionally Pahang's first home annihilation since June 2013.

Football Association of Malaysia Not In Favor Of Paulo Rangel’s Naturalization

Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) Vice President, Tengku Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah announced his opposition towards the potential thought of naturalizing Selangor forward, Paulo Rangel.

The Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) has voiced out its supposition with respect to naturalization of foreign players by guaranteeing that the country isn't precisely prepared for that method.

Rumour has it with the Malaysian football fans that were sharp in seeing Selangor forward Paulo Rangel play for the national team.

Interim national team coach, Datuk Ong Kim Swee likewise pronounced his backing for the idea of naturalization. However, FAM has not shown enthusiasm in its materialization.

Tengku Abdullah said, "I'm not saying it’s impossible. Perhaps it can happen in future for a plethora of reasons; the person may have married a Malaysian or may even have a kid who is Malaysian."

"But I don't agree in taking a foreign player and offering him a Malaysian passport, despite him not having any form of connection with the country.”

"If he is extremely good, then perhaps we could consider. But he has to be extraordinary," Abdullah concluded.

The news came out after Rangel publicly proclaimed his eagerness to be part of the national team. The proclamation was posted on Rangel’s Instagram account.