Hockey: National coach Revington quits, but MHC reject his resignation

KUALA LUMPUR: One day after naming the 16 players for the FIH World Hockey League semi-finals, national coach Paul Revington (pic) has quit the team.

Revington e-mailed his resignation to Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC) vice-president Manjit Majid Abdullah yesterday, citing outside interference in team matters as the main reason for his decision.

The decision has thrown the national team’s preparation for the World League semi-finals, which will be held in Johor Baru from June 29-July 7, in disarray.

Manjit, who is also the chairman of the coaching committee, said yesterday that they had rejected his resignation and want Re­­vington to review his decision to quit.

Manjit said that the 16 members of the coaching committee who attended the meeting yesterday unanimously rejected Reving­ton’s quit decision.

“I will speak with Revington and tell him of our decision and also try to convince him to stay on. We need him and he has done a good job, thus far.

“We understand his position and agree that there have been issues which he had raised that were not dealt with. But I can assure him that we will look into all these matters and resolve them,” said Manjit.

“The president (Tengku Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah) has said that he would act on Revington’s complaints.”

The MHC coaching committee have also recommended that Lim Chiow Chuan and K. Dharmaraj be removed as 1MAS director and national juniors coach respectively.

Both are alleged to have been among those who have interfered with senior team matters.

“Revington has complained that some players have not been following his orders ... This has been going on for three months now,” said Manjit.

“The matter was brought to our attention but we thought that it had been resolved. The quit letter has taken us by surprise, especially when we are faced with such a big assignment in two weeks’ time.”

Manjit said that A. Arulselvaraj would remain as assistant coach and former national coach Sarjit Singh would be named interim coach should Revington stick to his decision.

“The matter is for the MHC management committee to deal with. They are due to meet on June 30 in Johor Baru,” said Manjit.

The coach and team manager George Koshy could not be reached for comments.

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FAM League: Panthers crowned league champions

PENANG were crowned FAM Cup League champions after defeating Kuantan Port 1-0 at the Temerloh Stadium in Pahang.

The islanders, who secured promotion to the Premier League a week ago, added the league title with four matches to spare.

A late strike by Khairul Anwar, just his second league goal this campaign, landed Penang the league crown.

The Panthers were rampant throughout this season under the tutelage of former star player Merzagua Aberrazak, who now has to leave the state to obtain his official A-level coaching license from an African Confederation (CAF) affiliate country.

Penang will receive the FAM Cup trophy at the City Stadium before their league tie against Kedah Malays on June 16.

In the other FAM Cup matches, Kuantan FA and Land Forces kept up the pressure on second-placed PBAPP FC for the second promotion berth after securing convincing wins.

Land Forces trounced Sabah’s Chebagoo FC 6-0 to move up to 26 points, just three points behind PBAPP.

Kuantan FA lie three points behind following their 4-2 triumph over Malacca.

Kelantan club side Tumpat FA also kept their faint hopes alive with a hard-earned 1-0 win over basement team YBU FC in Ipoh.

sport247

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Football: Johor Darul Takzim fan dies

THE die-hard Johor Darul Takzim fan who fell from about 15 metres at the Larkin Stadium while trying to take down a Johor flag after the first-leg FA Cup semifinal match against Pahang on May 25, has died.

Rosdhi Rosiman, 29, a factory worker, passed on at 2.15am – about four hours after the Southern Tigers qualified for their for their first-ever FA Cup final despite a 2-1 defeat to Pahang in the return-leg semifinal played at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil last night. Both teams were tied 2-2 on aggregate but the Southern Tigers advanced on away goals.

His family members were with him when he died at Sultanah Aminah Hospital’s Intensive Care Unit (ICU) in Johor Bahru.

Rosdhi was said to have fallen while trying to bring down a Johor flag which was tied to a pole at the end of the match, which Johor Darul Takzim won 1-0.

He was still conscious when he was taken to the hospital but slipped into a coma after surgery the following morning.

Rosdhi’s younger brother Roshanajid Rosiman, 28, said Rosdhi was a die-hard fan of the Southern Tigers and never missed Johor Darul Takzim’s home matches.

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Tigers’ charmed FA Cup life

JOHOR DARUL TAKZIM lived a charmed life in their march to their first ever FA Cup final, where they will meet defending champions Kelantan at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil on June 29.

The Southern Tigers came through two penalty shootouts – against Kedah in the second round (5-4) after a 2-2 draw and against Selangor (4-2) in the two-leg quarterfinals with both teams winning 2-1 away.

The semifinal against Pahang was played at three venues. After winning the home leg 1-0 at the Larkin Stadium on May 25, they had to go through a nervous second leg played at two venues. The return leg in Kuantan on May 28 was abandoned without the ball being kicked due to crowd violence.

This forced the match to be played at the ‘neutral’ National Stadium, with Pahang enjoying home status.

The Elephants seemed to be on their way to the final after leading 2-0 by the 40th minute via a double strike by Argentine hitman Matias Conti, who neutralised Johor Darul Takzim’s one goal cushion as early as the second minute.

However, the Southern Tigers turned the tide in their favour with an all-important goal by Brazilian playmaker Andre in the 48th minute.

“It has been a hectic journey for us in the FA Cup. We went through some anxious moments even in our first round match against Perak before we won 1-0,” said Johor Darul Takzim coach-manager Fandi Ahmad.

“No one gave us any chance when Selangor beat us 2-1 in the first-leg quarter-finals at Larkin, but we showed the character to come off winners at Shah Alam.

“But what we went through in the semifinals stands out – thanks to the strong mentality we have built in our come-from-behind wins in previous matches, both in the league and the FA Cup.

“It gave us some plus points and the never-say-die attitude prevailed once again in Bukit Jalil. It was harrowing to be two goals down with the first coming as early as the second minute.

“I tabik (salute) my players for their commitment and discipline on the field. However, I must admit that our defence is still shaky. The backline seem to put themselves under pressure when attacked.”

Fandi, Singapore’s best known professional footballer who had stints in Indonesia, Malaysia and Holland as a player, has given his players a much needed four-day break from football.

“Let them relax with their loved ones and forget football for now. We have a tight league schedule and the FA Cup coming up and I want them to be in the right frame of mind when they come back,” added Fandi.

In the league, Fandi’s boys are in second place with 34 points – four behind leaders LionsXII.

When the league resumes on June 21, Johor Darul Takzim will be away to LionsXII at the Jalan Besar Stadium. LionsXII are unbeaten at home on the artificial pitch and that match’s outcome could decide the new league champions.

“We have to put the FA Cup final aside and turn our focus to the league battle. It is within our reach but we cannot get distracted along the way.”

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FAM League: Penang secure promotion to Premier League

PENANG secured promotion to the Premier League next season - Foto Arena Penang FC

PENANG secured promotion to the Premier League next season after grinding out a 1-0 victory over Perak’s YBU FC at the City Stadium today.

A 31st minute goal by striker Norizan Salaman was enough for the FAM Cup league leaders to collect the three points needed for their 14th win in 15 matches and confirm a top-two finish in the 10-team league.

With five matches remaining, Penang are 19 points ahead of the third-placed Kuantan FA and will grab one of the two promotion berths to the second-tier competition next year.

Against YBU FC, Penang were made to slog to break down the opposition’s defence. The breakthrough came after the half hour mark when Muhammad Aminuddin managed to wriggle behind the YBU backline and sent a pin-point cross from the byline for Norizan to tap in from close range.

YBU’s Mohd Aliff had a glorious chance to equalise just before the break but saw Penang goalkeeper Amir Omar Khata produce an acrobatic save to keep his effort out.

Penang lived dangerously in the second half but managed to protect their slender lead.

“The players were under tremendous pressure to win today, and it showed in their nervous display,” said Penang coach Merzagua Abderrrazak.

“But they did enough to secure the three points needed for promotion. I am happy to achieve the target in just my first season here, and now we will switch our focus to confirm the FAM Cup title.”

With second-placed PBAPP FC losing 1-2 to Malacca, Penang can be crowned FAM Cup league champions if they can beat Kuantan Port at the Darulmakmur Stadium on June 2.

sport247

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Nicol Fails To Retain British Open Squash Title

KUALA LUMPUR, May 26 - Malaysia's world number one Datuk Nicol David failed to retain the British Open Squash Championship title after losing to England's Laura Massaro.

In Sundays final at Pontefract in West Yorkshire, England, Nicol was shocked by Massaro with a 4-11 score in the first set but she made it 1-1 when she took the second set, 11-3.

However, Nicol appeared to have lost her momentum in the other two sets which saw Massaro sealing the match with 12-10 and 11-7 in 53 minutes.

For the record, Nicol has won the British Open four times in 2005, 2006, 2008 and 2012.

"Basically, I was more watching what she was doing, and not concentrating on my shots. She was playing well, and I was trying to play better. But her length was better, and she was getting everything back. All credit to her, she just played better.

"You should never think that things are going to go your way when you are playing against Laura, you have to keep on your toes at all times, and she proved it again today. Oh yes, I will be back," the competition's official website, www.britishopensquash.net/blog/ quoted Nicol as saying.

It was the second time Nicol lost to Massaro after losing in the semi-finals of the 2013 CIMB Kuala Lumpur Open Squash Championships, so far this year.

-BERNAMA

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Hafizh creates history after second placing in Spain

History maker: Hafizh Syahrin (left) together with Spain’s Roman Ramos (winner) and American Kenny Noyes (third) celebrating his first podium finish in the second leg of the CEV Repsol Spanish Championships at the Motorland Aragon Circuit in Spain yesterday.

PETALING JAYA: Moto2 rider Hafizh Syahrin Abdullah raced his way into the history books as the first Malaysian to claim a podium finish in the intensely competitive CEV Repsol Spanish Championships in the second leg at the Motorland Aragon Circuit in Spain yesterday.

A smooth start combined with a well prepared machine saw the Petronas Raceline Malaysia rider storm his way from fifth on the starting grid to second place to record his maiden podium finish.

Hafizh finished the race in 29:27.524, just 0.075 seconds ahead of American Kenny Noyes (29:27.599).

Spaniard Roman Ramos won the 15-lap Race 1 in 29:11.275.

It was a much cherished moment for the 19-year-old Hafizh, who started the race determined to make amends after finishing empty handed in the opening leg in Catalunya early this month.

During the opening leg, Hafizh had dominated the weekend in Catalunya, including taking pole position in qualifying but he crashed out on the first lap.

It was only his second front row start in Catalunya and Hafizh, in his second season, can breathe a sigh of relief to prove the faith in him to make it in the top level is not unfounded.

“It’s hard to believe I finally made it on the podium after a tough time in the unofficial practice on Friday and qualifying on Saturday due to harsh weather conditions.

“I am extremely pleased and I would like to extend my gratitude to the team and sponsor for making all this possible,” said an elated Hafizh, who rode his way to a 22nd finish in his first wildcard appearance in France Grand Prix in Le Mans last week.

“It was tough. A lot of riders pushed for a good position early but the cold tarmac means less grip and this resulted in a lot of crashes.

“I did not want to repeat another mistake of crashing out of the race so I kept a steady pace throughout to ensure I pick up championship points,” said Hafizh in a telephone interview from Aragon yesterday.

Hafizh finished fourth in Race 2 and is currently fourth in the championship standings with 20 points.

The Star

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Sudirman Cup: Hosts Malaysia make a tame exit at the hands of Germany

THE Germans jumped with joy while the Malaysians walked out of the court with their heads hung low.

It’s all over for hosts Malaysia in the Sudirman Cup after they were beaten 3-2 in their Group C tie at the Putra Stadium in Bukit Jalil last night.

It was Malaysia’s first-ever loss to Germany in a team event. And the Germans achieved it without their two key players – Marc Zwiebler and Juliane Schenk.

Germany join Taiwan in the quarter-finals from Group C tomorrow.

Malaysia and Germany were tied at 2-2 after Chan Peng Soon-Goh Liu Ying and Tee Jing Yi lost their matches while Lee Chong Wei and Lim Khim Wah-Goh V Shem won theirs.

The responsibility of clinching the winning point then fell on the shoulders of 2011 Indonesian Open champions Vivian Hoo-Woon Khe Wei. Instead, the girls went down fighting 16-21, 21-16, 18-21 in a 63 minute battle to Birgit Michels-Johanna Golsizewski.

Earlier, Peng Soon-Liu Ying were given a rude shock by a pumped-up Michael Fuchs-Michels, who showed great control at mid-court to beat the Malaysians 21-17, 18-21, 21-17 in a one-hour-and-eight-minute match.

“We knew we had to give our team a flying start but we blew it,” he said.

It was not one of the best performances by Chong Wei but he still managed to nick a 21-18, 21-18 win over the towering Domke Dieter to level the tie at 1-1.

Chong Wei said that he did underestimated Dieter after taking an 11-3 lead in the opening game.

“I became too relaxed and allowed him to put unneccessary pressure on me. Anyway, it was good to win to level the tie,” said Chong Wei.

Malaysia’s only consolation yesterday was the success story of Khim Wah-V Shem.

Malaysia’s gamble in fielding the youngsters paid off big time when they defeated Ingo Kindervater-Schoettler Johannes 21-16, 23-21 in 36 minutes.

Khim Wah-V Shem, who played instead of Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong, justified the coaches’ faith by putting Malaysia 2-1 up with a spirited display.

Their win also avenged their loss to the same pair at the German Open in March.

“We did not give up even when we were down and we fought our way to seal the match,” said Khim Wah.

“We are growing in confidence. Two weeks ago, we won the Malaysian Open GP Gold and today we delivered a point in the mixed team.”

V Shem said “we were fearless”.

“We did not give up even when we were trailing 13-18. We had to win a point because we felt that our women players could pull it off.”

Two years ago in China, Malaysia made the semi-finals.

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Sudirman Cup: Malaysia Suffer Shocking 2-3 Defeat To Taiwan

KUALA LUMPUR, May 19 - Malaysia suffered a shocking 2-3 defeat to lowly Taiwan in their opening Group C Sudirman Cup match at the Putra Stadium, Bukit Jalil, here, Sunday.

The embarrassing loss, especially by the top men's double pair Koo Kien Keat/Tan Boon Heong, drew flak from even the Badminton Association of Malaysia's (BAM) coaching staff.

Koo-Tan, the former All England men's doubles champions, lost to unknown Taiwan pair Lee Sheng Mu/Tsai Chia Hsin in straight sets, 18-21, 18-21, in the opening match, to the disbelief of the fans present at the stadium.

The duo's loss was followed by Sonia Cheah's straight sets loss to Tai Tzu Ying, 21-7, 21-13 before Datuk Lee Chong Wei managed to reduce the deficit by beating Yang Chih Hsun 21-8, 21-19.

However, Taiwan's women's doubles pair Cheng Wen Hsing/Hsieh Pei Chen defeated Vivien Hoo Kah Mun/Woon Khe Wei, 21-17, 21-19 to earn their winning point.

Mixed doubles pair Chan Peng Soon/Goh Liu Ying managed to reduce the margin of defeat to a respectable level by beating Liu Ching Yao/Lai Chia Wen, 25-23, 21-11.

National head coach Rashid Sidek said he did not expect the top men's doubles pair, who were expected to deliver a winning point, fail to do so.

"Before the start of the match, the coaching team was very confident that the duo can deliver the first point, which is very important in setting the path for the victory," he said.

Echoing a similar sentiment was doubles coach Tam Kim Her who said Koo-Tan had lost their focus when the Taiwan duo staged a spirited fight.

"Today, they (Koo-Tan) played below their capability," he said.

Kim Her said he would call for a meeting with coaches to decide whether to retain Koo-Tan when playing against European champion Germany on Tuesday.

He was however, confident that Malaysia would be able to make it to the quarterfinals.

Meanwhile, Koo-Tan when met by reporters after their match admitted their mistake and promised to avenge their defeat against Germany.

"We will try to reduce our mistakes and work on our weaknesses because we made many mistakes to allow our opponents to win points through our mistakes at the net," said Koo.

- BERNAMA

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Super League: Gladiators Bungle

KUALA LUMPUR, May 18 - Armed Forces (ATM) who could have overtaken Lions XII to take the lead in the Super League bungled against no hopers Negeri Sembilan, losing 1-2 at the Tuanku Abdul Rahman Stadium in Paroi Saturday night.

The result left them trailing Lions XII, who have collected 35 points, by two points.

Negeri Sembilan who had yet to win a match this season, were fired up by the presence of temporary coach Ridzuan Abu Shah and were the more aggresive.

In the very second minute, Mohd Fauzi Nan shocked the Gladiators by netting the hosts' first goal.

However, ATM's captain Hairuddin Omar equalised in the 14th minute but Mohd Nazrin Mohd Nawi gave the 'Hoben Jang Hoben' squad their first win this season when his 20th minute goal was what finally mattered.

Ridzuan took temporary charge of the team after coach Divaldo Elves was rested due to the team's poor showing prior to tonight's match.

Meanwhile, Selangor PKNS had a massive 5-0 victory over Felda United FC at the Shah Alam Satdium.

Selangor PKNS goals were scored by Mohd Fauzan Dzulkifli (33rd minute), Muhd Khairu Azrin Khazali (45th), Patrick Wleh (50th), Roman Chmelo (58th) and Mohd Nizad Ayub (88th).

At the Sultan Muhammad IV Stadium, Kota Baharu, Kelantan were only able to record a 1-1 draw against Selangor.

Selangor went ahead in the 55th minute through import player Adam Griffiths who headed home a corner kick taken by Mohd Raimi Mohd Nor.

Kelantan were able to share points when Zairo Anuar Zailani's piledriver from outside the box in the 65th minute sailed into the net.

--BERNAMA

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Sporty Khairy is appointed Youth and Sports Minister

SEREMBAN, May 15 — Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin Abu Bakar, 37, who is known for his smooth debating skills, has been appointed as the new Youth and Sports Minister.

Khairy, who is active in sports, is also former Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) deputy president II, FAM National Team Management Committee chairman and FAM Women Football Committee chairman.

In 2006, the Perbadanan Usahawan Nasional Bhd (PUNB) chairman was chosen as a member of The Forum of Young Global Leaders, World Economic Forum.

Graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Philosophy, Politics and Economic from Oxford University, United Kingdom and a Master’s degree in Legal and Political Theory from the University College London, Khairy has served as a speech writer for the then Deputy Prime Minister Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi in 1999 before becoming Abdullah’s special assistant in 2003.

When Abdullah was appointed as Prime Minister in 2003, Khairy was made his Deputy Principal Private Secretary for a year.

The former TV presenter and host for NTV7′s ‘Dateline Malaysia’ programme in 1998, and writer at The Economist in 1999, Khairy has also served as corporate advisory director at ECM Libra Sdn Bhd.

Khairy joined Umno in 1998 upon graduation and has held several divisional party posts, especially in Tampin and Rembau, including as Gadong Umno chief in 2002 and Rembau Umno Youth chief in 2004.

In the 2004 party polls, he won the post of Umno Youth deputy chief uncontested, and in the 2008 general election, he contested and won the Rembau parliamentary seat, which he retained at May 5 polls. – BERNAMA

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FAM League: Penang rampage to biggest home win

Dunia Sukan Online

PENANG recovered from their midweek first defeat of the season to thrash Kedah Malays 5-0 in their FAM Cup league match at the City Stadium today.

The league leaders showed no mercy as they registered their biggest home win, and also their 12th victory out of 13 matches.

Fit-again striker Norizam Salaman set the ball rolling by scoring the opening goal for Penang in the 11th minute as he made no mistake from close range after receiving Mohd Baser Napae’s neat pull-back from the byline.

Mohammed Syafuan made it 2-0 in the 24th minute with a curling effort from the top of the box.

The match was effectively over as a contest in the 35th minute when Norizam met Khairan Eroza’s freekick with a firm header to notch Penang’s third goal.

The enterprising Khairan was also involved in the Panthers’ fourth and fifth goals in the second half.

The Penang playmaker fed Baser with a defence splitting pass to prod past the Kedah Malays goalkeeper Mohamed Arif in the 53rd minute before Khairan’s lob to the far post in the 73rd minute allowed Syafuan to flick the ball with the outside of his right foot to score Penang’s fifth goal.

“I expected Penang to win big today as our opponents are struggling in the league. The win places us back on track in our quest to win the league title and promotion to the Premier League,” said Penang coach Merzagua Abderrazzak.

With just seven matches to go, Penang remain seven points ahead of second-placed PBAPP FC, who defeated Sabah’s Chebagoo FC 4-0 in Kota Kinabalu today.

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Super League: LionsXII close in on title

SUPER League leaders LionsXII sent out a warning to their league rivals after defeating T-Team 3-0 at the Jalan Besar Stadium today.

The Singaporean side, who had temporarily slipped to second after Armed Forces edged Felda United 1-0 in the evening kick-off earlier today, appeared to have their eyes set on the league title with just six games to play. V. Sundramoorthy not only hold a one-point lead over Armed Forces, they also have a game in hand.

The home side took the lead in the tenth minute after an interchange between Faris Ramli and Hariss Harun on the left led to Shahril Ishak receiving the ball. The Singapore skipper created some space for himself before blasting the ball into the goal.

LionsXII continued to search for goals, something they have not done on their travels, and were duly rewarded after Shakir Hamzah headed in a Shahril cross in the 29th minute. Seven minutes later, Fazrul Nawaz sealed the tie with a close range header from a Shahril corner.

LionsXII will get a chance to extend their lead over Armed Forces to four points when they play the previously rescheduled tie against Pahang at the Darul Makmur Stadium on Friday.

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Super League: Selangor Maintain Third Spot

KUALA LUMPUR, May 11 (Bernama) -- Selangor came from a goal down to draw with Perak 1-1 in their Super League match at the Shah Alam Stadium Friday night, thus enabling them to maintain third spot in the table standing with 26 points overall.

Perak with 22 points are languishing in seventh place.

In Friday's match, Mohd Noor Hazrul Mohd Mustafa stunned the Red Giants when he put the visitors ahead from a curving shot 20 metres out in the 19th minute before substitute Raimi Mohd Nor saved the hosts the blushes when he equalised in injury time.

In the other Super League match played at the Tuanku Abdul Rahman Stadium in Paroi, Kelantan demolished bottom-placed Negeri Sembilan with the Red Warriors goals supplied by team captain Mohd Badhri Mohd Radzi (31st minute), Indra Putra Mahayuddin (75th ) and Mohd Norfarhan Muhammad (81st).

In the Premier League, Sarawak put an end to Sime Darby FC's winning streak when they edged the Klang Valley club 1-0 at Stadium Negeri, Kuching.

Bobby Gonzales was the hero for the hosts scoring in the 19th minute which brought them to 37 points overall, two points shy of league leaders Sime Darby.

In the other Premier League matches played tonight, Kedah edged Sabah 3-2 at the Darul Aman Stadium, Alor Star with their goals scored by Croatian import Alen Guc (8th minute, 80th minute penalty) and Akmal Rizal Ahmad Rakhli (37th) while Sabah's goals came through Koh Traore (56th) and Safi Abdel Fatah (58th).

Elsewhere, UiTM FC drew 2-2 with Johor FA at Stadium UiTM, Shah Alam; SPA Putrajaya FC beat NS Betaria FC 2-0 at the Hang Jebat Satdium, Melaka; Pos Malaysia lost 0-1 to Police at the Selayang Stadium while Kuala Lumpur were beaten 2-0 by Perlis at the Kuala Lumpur football stadium in Cheras.

- BERNAMA

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FAM League: Penang’s unbeaten run checked

PENANG’S 100 per cent record in the FAM Cup came to an end after going down 3-2 to Kuantan FA at the Darulmakmur Stadium.

After bagging 11 straight wins in the third-tier competition, the islanders were expected to overcome mid-table Kuantan FA easily.

Despite taking an early lead through mid-season signing Aminuddin Azmi, Penang eased off the pressure and were punished thrice by Kuantan.

Aminuddin pulled Penang back into the frame by reducing the deficit to 3-2 in the 75th minute, but the Pahang club side held on for the famous victory.

“I feel bad Penang’s winning run has ended, but we are still at the top and on course to win the league title and promotion to the Premier League,” said Penang coach Merzagua Abderrazzak.

“It was one of those days when we struggled to get going. We only displayed our true form after going 1-3 down, but credit goes to Kuantan FA for holding out for the win.”

Despite their first defeat of the season, Penang, on 33 points, still hold a comfortable seven-point cushion over PBAPP FC at the top of the standings.

Kuantan’s win allowed them to move up to fifth on 17 points, nine points behind PBAPP FC, who are occupying the final promotion berth.

There are still eight rounds of matches left to play in the 11-team league.

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Super League: Johor Darul Takzim crash to second straight defeat

ATM’s Venice Elphi (left) competes with
Johor Darul Takzim’s Jazirin Jamaluddin.

ALEX MARLON JAMES sent Johor Darul Takzim crashing to their second successive away defeat with a brace as Armed Forces walked away with a 2-0 win at the Tuanku Abdul Rahman Stadium in Paroi last night.

The defeat came in the wake of their 3-0 hammering at the hands of Perak in at the TLDM Stadium in Lumut last week, which seriously put a big dent in their Super League title hopes.

To round up a miserable night for the Southern Tigers, Argentine striker Leonel Nunez saw his spot kick saved by Armed Forces goalkeeper Farizal Harun after the soldiers had gone 2-0 up by the 63rd minute.

James scored his first in the 55th minute with a free header off a pin point cross from Bruno Martelotto which started off a throw in. The Johor Darul Takzim backline failed to react and James had the simple task to head the ball beyond the reach of custodian Muhd Al-Hafizh Hamzah.

Johor Darul Takzim’s sloppy defending once again stood out like a sore thumb when centrebacks Muslim Ahmad and skipper Kamarul Afiq, lacking understanding, allowed Armed Forces get their second in the 63rd minute.

And again it was the lanky James who made it count with a delightful left footer into the roof of the net with Al-Hafizh caught flat footed – and the soldiers gained confidence on the wet and slippery pitch as the match progressed.

With the brace, James took his personal tally to 16 goals to put himself in line for the Golden Boot award but that is not on his mind just yet.

In the 65th minute Johor Darul Takzim’s Norshahrul Idlan Talaha was brought down inside the box but Nunez failed with his spot kick which Farizal read well and dived to his left to save the shot.

“Armed Forces deserve credit for their win. They have a striker in Alex (Marlon James) who can win matches and who is an asset to the team. Our defence once again let us down,” lamented Johor Darul Takzim manager-coach Fandi Ahmad.

Armed Forces supremo B. Satianathan had nothing praise for his bunch of committed and dedicated fighters who kept pace with leaders Lions XII who beat Terengganu 2-1 in Kuala Terengganu in an afternoon match to keep their place at the top with 31 points after 15 matches.

Armed Forces are close second with 30 points but have played 16 matches.

Sports247.my

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FAM League: Table toppers Penang boosted by double threat

PENANG coach Merzagua Abderrazzak will rely on his new strike partnership for goals when the FAM Cup runaway league leaders take on Kuantan FA at the Darulmakmur Stadium tomorrow night.
Strikers Haslan Abu Hassan and Muhammad Aminuddin, who were signed during the mid-season transfer window, made their debut in Penang’s 2-1 derby win over PBAPP FC on April 28.

Although both strikers did not score in the top-of-the-table clash, Merzagua is happy with their contribution.

“I feel that both the forwards did well although it was just their first competitive match with Penang.

“Prior to Haslan’s arrival, we lacked a strong physical presence upfront. He is able to pressure the opposing defence and provide an aerial threat in the box. This was lacking in the team during the first half of the season,” said Merzagua of the signing from Nibong Tebal FA.

Although the former Kedah Malays forward Aminuddin was guilty of some stray passes and often unable to get into good positions against PBAPP, the Penang coach has faith in him.

“Aminuddin has a strong workrate and he can only get better once he settles down and plays on the same wavelength with his team-mates.

“Having these two new strikers will boost our push for promotion and the FAM Cup title,” added the coach.

Prior to the duo’s arrival, Penang had relied on the injury-prone Norizan Salaman and the nippy pairing of Mohd Baser Napae and Khairul Anwar Idris upfront.

Penang have collected a maximum 33 points from their 11 matches and are on course to capture the 11-team third-tier league championship in record time.

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AFC Cup: Amri turns hero for Selangor

Ayeyawady’s Aung Kyaw Myo (left) challenges Kelantan’s Mohd Haris Safwan in their AFC Cup Group G match in Kota Baru yesterday. Pic by Syamsi Suhaimi

AMRI Yahyah carried Selangor into the second round of the AFC Cup by scoring the winner after blowing a two-goal lead to beat Tampines Rovers 3-2 at the Jalan Besar Stadium yesterday.

Jufri Taha turned in Abdul Shukur Jusuh's cross into his own net in the 28th minute before Amri netted on the stroke of half-time to give Selangor a 2-0 lead.

Asraruddin Putra Omar then put through his own goal six minutes after the break before Aleksandar Duric equalised eight minutes later but Amri came up with the winner in the 76th minute.

The win put Selangor level on eight points in Group H with Saigon Xuan Thanh, which lost 4-1 at East Bengal, but with a better head-to-head record.

Kelantan finished top of Group G and will next meet Hong Kong's Kitchee after beating Ayeyawady United 3-1 in Kota Baru with Obinna Nwaneri, Nik Shahrul Azim Halim and Badhri Radzi scoring.

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Former National Footballer Yahya Jusoh Passes Away

KUALA TERENGGANU, April 30 - Former Terengganu and National footballer Yahya Jusoh, 61, passed away at the Sultanah Nur Zahirah Hospital, here, at 4.50 Tuesday, due to prostate cancer.

His son Hazim Yatimi said his father who was down with a bout of fever for the past few days had difficulty breathing this morning and was admitted to the hospital's Intensive Care Unit (ICU) today upon the advise of a doctor who treated him at his house at 9am, this morning.

"The doctor who treated my father advised us to admit him to a hospital since his condition was serious. We then decided to send him to the hospital," he told reporters when met at his house in Taman Permint Jaya, Chendering, here.

Hazim said his late father had also been suffering from a nervous system disorder since 2009.

Yahya, a pillar of strength in the heart of Terengganu's defence during his heydays in the 70s and 80s, had played together with the likes of Datuk Soh Chin Aun and the late Datuk Mokhtar Dahari. He leaves behind his wife Normah Alias, 60, four children (three girls and a boy) and three grandchildren.

Terengganu Sultan, Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin and Terengganu FA president Datuk Che Mat Jusoh paid their last respects at the late Yahya's house.

His (Yahya) remains will be buried at the Batu Burok Muslim Cemetery, at 9am, tomorrow.

Bernama

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Badminton: Nervous Chong Wei edges Tago

DATUK LEE CHONG WEI had to dig deep before winning his third title of the year when he overcame a determined Kenichi Tago in the final of the Yonex Sunrise India Open today.
After claiming titles in South Korea and Malaysia in January, the world No. 1 took 63 minutes before winning 21-15, 18-21, 21-17.

The last time Chong Wei won in India was two years ago when he defeated former world No. 1 Peter Gade in 2011.

Tago’s defeat meant there was no double for Japan after women’s pair Miyuki Maeda-Satoko Suetsuna from Japan regained the title they last won two years ago by edging out former Malaysian Open champions Christinna Pedersen-Kamilla Rytter Juhl 12-21, 23-21, 21-18.

Earlier, Indonesia’s Tontowi Ahmad-Lilyana Nasir grabbed the mixed doubles crown when they beat South Korea’s Ko Sung Hyun-Kim Han Na 21-16, 21-13.

Three-time world junior champion Ratchanok Intanon won her first ever Superseries crown when she outplayed German veteran Juliane Schenk 22-21, 21-14.

In the men’s doubles, China’s Liu Xiaolong-Qiu Zihan stunned third seeds Ko Sung Hyun-Lee Yong Dae 22-20, 21-18 to win their first Superseries crown.

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