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.

Johor Football Association News: A State-Of-The-Art Stadium On A Man-Made Island Is Rising

Expect greater things from Johor Football Association (Persatuan Bolasepak Negeri Johor) one year from now, including another stadium on a man-made island.

On Tuesday, President Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim reported that the new 50,000-capacity stadium is currently being constructed by Country Garden, which is one of JFA's sponsors.

According to President Tunku Ismail, the stadium will be built on a man-made island situated between Johor and Singapore.

“Reclamation work is currently being carried out and once completed, the island will be twice the size of Sentosa Island in Singapore.”

“Hopefully, the construction period will not take too long. I am very excited about this new project,” President Tunku Ismail said. He also added that the said stadium would be the most state-of-the-art stadium in the world.

President Tunku Ismail additionally declared that Johor Ruler Sultan Ibrahim Ibni Almarhum Sultan Iskandar has consented to purchase a private jet plane for the Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT) officials and players.

He included that the choice came in the wake of looking into the expense of flying out to different states.

As of now, JFA have three transports for their teams including the President's Cup squad players.

It will also be noted that on Tuesday, President Tunku Ismail dropped a bomb by stating that the JFA's second group, which is JDT II, may be withdrawn from the Premier League.

“We are considering placing the team in the Singapore football league by November as it is better and will give the younger players better exposure,” President Tunku Ismail said.

The Johor Crown Prince included that the JFA are ready to pay a fine if the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) punish them for hauling out JDT II.

He likewise stated that JDT will be signing two more foreign players for next season's campaign.

He said, “We already offered US$3.5mil (RM11.4mil) to Boca Juniors for Juan Manuel Martinez for next season.”

Another player at the top of their mind is Selangor’s hitman, Paulo Rangel.

On another note, President Tunku Ismail said JFA are recognizing holding a benevolent match with Italian titans AC Milan and in addition a charity match including Lionel Messi, Neymar and other world class footballers.

S.League News: Warriors FC Is Set To Bounce Back From Their Defeat

In spite of the 4-1 pounding by Home United in the Great Eastern Yeo's S.League match, Warriors FC coach, Alex Weaver accepted it was a one-off and that his charges were fit for a finer showing than what was conveyed against their uniformed opponents.

Indra Sahdan Daud struck twice after half-time to secure every one of the three points for the Bishan-based club after Hafiz Rahim offset Fazrul Nawaz's opener in the first-half.

Bruno Castanheira then took home the cake in second-half stoppage time to top off a noteworthy execution from Home.

Weaver said in an interview after the match that, “It is very disappointing and we are much better than that.

We stop doing certain things that allowed Home United a bit more space.”

“Our strongest 11 against theirs is better than what we saw tonight and it will be different the next time we play them.”

“Their midfield movement and penetration is very good. We did not deal with that in the second half. We will get back together, have a look at things and move on,” added Weaver.

Weaver was sure that his team won't be influenced by the annihilation and requested that his players relegate a finer execution in future matches.

“We are developing together and we have to rough with the smooth and bounce back from this, for sure.”

Weaver's inverse number Lee Lim Saeng was probably charmed with the win.

Lee whose team bounced back from a 4-1 defeat to Albirex Niigata (S) in the previous round said that, “My players deserved to win the match and I am very happy.”

“First half is not bad, we dominated possession but did not create as much chances as the second half.”

“We only played 10 matches in the league and there are still many matches. Every match is important for us,” Lee concluded.