Wednesday, January 22, 2014
Jakarta Globe Column
Malaysia’s Super League kicked off on Friday night with the
traditional season opener between the champions and the Malaysia Cup winners.
This brought together LionsXII, now coached by Singapore
legend Fandi Ahmad, and Pahang helmed by the experienced Ron Smith.
Hopes are high on the east coast the glory days may be just
around the corner following their first Malaysia Cup triumph in 21 years and
while the club have been active in the pre season transfer market perhaps the
best bit of business they completed was getting Argentine striker Matias Conti
to stay another season.
There was also something of a reunion in Kuantan with a
former Queens Park Rangers defensive duo renewing acquaintances at the back of
the Pahang defense after a six year break. Damion Stewart. Now in his second
season with the club, he was partnered by Pakistani international Zesh Rehman,
signed from Hong Kong;s Kitchee and in this history books as the first Asdian to
play in the English Premier League.
After netting 16 goals in his debut season, Conti marked his
birthday with the only goal in front of 36,000 fans to earn Pahang maximum
points to start the season.
The rest of the games were played on Saturday night with
Selangor defeating T Team 2-0 with new Brazilian striker Paulo Rangel netting
twice. Indonesian striker Patrich Wanggai came on as a substitute for T Team as
they chased the game but to little effect while former Persebaya 1927 winger
Andik Vermansyah was left on the bench by the home team.
Big spenders Johor Darul Takzim also got off to a winning
start defeating Perak 2-0 at the Larkin Stadium in Johore Bahru. Amri Yahyah
and Luciano Figuero scored in each half to send the large crowd home happy.
Former Indonesian international Hamkah Hamza scored on his
debut for PKNS after 18 minutes away to Terengganu but Mamadou Barry equalised
minutes later before hitting the winner half way through the second half.
Kelantan, last season’s FA Cup winners, were also made to
come from behind at the Sultan Muhammed IV Stadium in Kota Bharu. Sime Darby
took the lead within the first 10 minutes through Fadzli Saari and the home
team, nicknamed The Red Warriors, had to wait until the hour mark before
Mohammed Ghaddar made it 1-1.
Last season, Kelantan earned a reputation for leaving things
late and history repeated on Saturday night, Ghaddar netting the winner from
the penalty spot with 10 minutes left.
Kelantan are one of several clubs to have a new coach and
English man Steve Darby is no stranger to the Malaysian game having previously
coached Johor and Perak and he has noticed a sea change.
“Biggest change to me was the
size of the crowds and the intensity of the passion, Kelantan, Johor and Pahang
all had full stadiums with Ultras....its great for players....real
football atmosphere.
“The game is also being marketed far better now by the clubs ie magazines/promotions and the massive use of social media.”
However, while Darby likes much
of what he is seeing he did sound some words of caution. “Pitches sadly have
not improved...some terrible pitches and you will not get good football on hard
bumpy pitches....most teams haven't got proper training facilities and the
pitches are council owned and can be hired out by anybody. The league has made
fitness Coaches compulsory, the next step is Groundsmen!”
In the other game, ATM overcame newly promoted Sarawak 2-0
with first half goals from the prolific Marlon Alex James and Christie
Jayaselan Devasagayam.
In Indonesia, the pre season Inter Island Cup has reached the
Big 8 stage with the final eight teams drawn in two groups of four.
The Malang group kicked off on Saturday with Arema, Perseru
Seru, Sriwijaya Palembang and Barito Putra Banjarmasin going head to head. The
winner of this group will meet the winner of the Solo group (Persib Bandung,
Persiram Raja Ampat, Mitra Kukar Kutai Kertanegara and Persik Kediri) in
Sidoarjo in the final next Saturday.
There was a surprise in the opening game in Malang with
Sriwijaya, winners in 2010 and 2012, getting thumped 4-1 by Barito Putra while
Arema narrowly squeezed passed unfancied Perseru 1-0, conquereros of Persipura
Jayapura in the group stage, with a penalty from Gustavo Lopez.
Labels: Fandi Ahmad, Indonesia, Inter Island Cup, LionsXII, Malaysia Super League, Pahang, Southeast Asia Football, Steve Darby, Zesh Rehman
# posted by Me @ 6:54 AM 
