Kedah win Super League title

Coutersy of tmfootballchannel

THE battle of the northern supremacy has finally come to an end.

Kedah are named the new champions of this season’s Super League after edging Brunei’s DPMM FC 1-0 in Bandar Seri Begawan.

National player K.Soley was the hero of the day after slotting Kedah’s solitary goal in the 14th minute, giving his side a well deserved three points. Kedah top the table with 55 points.

Perak’s Steve Darby must have been cursing his

luck. In what is termed as ‘so near yet so far’ the Englishman led his charges to beating Sarawak 4-2 in their final match at the Kuching Stadium.

Yet it was not enough for the Seladangs to clinch the title despite having ruled the standings during the mid-season.

Khalid Jamlus scored a hat-trick (15th, 77th and 90th minutes) while hotshot striker Keita Mandjou nailed another in the 33rd minute.

Sarawak obtained their share of goals through Irwandi Chempaka and Romeo Kambe leaving Perak to play bridesmaid- just a point shy from Kedah in the standings.

The season has seen its fair share of ups and downs. From the in tensed domination of the northern states- namely champions Kedah, Perlis and Perak- to the drama of drug abuse and funding woes seen in Sarawak.

Brunei’s DPMM deserves credit for they have certainly raised many eyebrows.
Selangor failed to rise to the occasion while Pahang were often clueless in their Super League campaign. Ironically, both teams are coached by former nationals Dollah Salleh and Zainal Abidin respectively.

The list of top goal scorers even raises more questions with regards to the standards of the local strike force. The top four are dominated by imports while Perak’s Khalid Jamlus is the best local striker.

Surprisingly, Khalid was not asked to don the national colours.
Instead, Selangor’s Akmal Rizal Rakhli led Malaysia in their disastrous Asian Cup campaign-despite only boasting seven goals in the season.

As Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has barred his ministers, deputy ministers and parliamentary secretaries from holding key positions in sporting bodies, many believe this would see a new change of era in the local sports especially within football.

With the FA of Malaysia too heading towards changes within the administration, many are playing the waiting game to see what will be lined up in the following season of the Super League.

Only time will tell.

pic: Marlon Alex James taking a shot at goal- courtesy of Utusan Malaysia.

-creamcrackers-