Shooting Silver

Malaysia bagged another silver and a bronze when Nor Suryani Mohamad Taibi finished second in the individual competition and together with her team-mates, Ayuni and Muslifah amassed enough points to get onto the podium in third place in the 50m Air Rifle Shooting event.

In the evening, cyclist Azizulhasni Awang could not add to the medal tally after he lost the Men Sprint individual semi-final race to Japanese rider. In the race for bronze later The Pocket Rocketman began with a win over Chinese cyclist Bao but lost the next two races and missed out.

Malaysian women hockey team meanwhile snatched their first win of the competition when they scored twice through penalty corners to defeat a spirited Thailand side 2-1 at the Seonhak Hockey Stadium.

At the Anyang Hogye Gymnasium, Malaysian women keglers also failed to finish among the medals with the best finisher was Cheah Me Lan in fifth place.

It was also a bad day in sepak takraw when Malaysia lost to Indonesia at the Bucheon Gymnasium.

First Gold Delivered by Cheau Xuen

Malaysia opened their gold account at the 2014 Asian Games in Incheon, Korea when Tan Cheau Xuen finished first in the women's nanquan and nandao all around event with 19.23 points to her name.

It was an improvement for Cheau Xuen who won the bronze four years ago in Guangzhou but early favourite to win a medal here, Diana Bong failed in achieving her target. Diana who won the gold medal at the Myanmar SEA Games did not perform at her best and was full of errors to finish last out of twelve competitiors.

Indonesian Juwita Niza Wasni won the silver with 19.19 points while the hot favourite to win the gold here, Wei Hong of China could only finish with a bronze after managing only 19.15 points.

Former Asian Games gold medalist, Lin Fan was accredited to being instrumental in shaping Cheau Xuen to come out on top today.

Ashfaq's Brace Put PDRM Through

Premier League champions, the Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM) became the first side to book their place in the 2014 Malaysia Cup competition quarter-finals after posting a 2-1 win over the T-Team Titans.

Maldives striker, Ali Ashfaq scored a brace to help his side overcoming a stiff resistance from a side they thrashed 4-1 on Saturday. 

Ali opened the scoring in this Group D match from the penalty spot after the referee had judged Ahmed Ezrie had been fouled inside the box. Despite his best attempt, The Titans goalkeeper, Mohamad Shahril Sa'ari could not prevent the ball from going past him.

The home side pressed hard for the equaliser but the woodwork conspired against them when at least three attempts made by their players hit the frame of the goal before bouncing out to safety.

Seven minutes into the second half, The Titans striker, Jimmy Mulisa rose the highest to head the ball past the stranded Azizon Kadir who could only watch the ball rolled into his goal.

PDRM scored their winner when a mistake by defender, Mohamad Nuraliff allowed Ali to have a clear run on goal. He easily sidestepped Shahril before slotting the ball home before celebrating his goal with a sommersault.

In another Group D match, Sime Darby FC came back from behind to put a huge dent on Selangor ambition to win the competition for the 33rd time in their history.

The Red Giants gave their supporters something to cheer after the hour mark when Hazwan Bakri found the back of the net.

However, with just fifteen minutes remaining on the clock, Sime Darby equalised through Fahrulrazi Kamarudin. Then seven minutes from time, Mateo Roskam beat Farizal Marlias to earn his side a valuable win in Shah Alam.

In Group B, Terengganu came away with a positive result against Perak in Ipoh after forcing The Bos Gaurus to share the spoils in a 1-1 draw. 

Ahmad Nordin Alias's equaliser two minutes from time denied the home side all three points after they have been leading since the 48th minute when Terengganu defender, Vincent Bikana inadvertly turned the ball past his goalkeeper as he tried to intercept a Mario Tulio low ball into the box.

In Alor Setar, Kedah completed the double over Sarawak in this competition when they scored another injury time goal to win this hot encounter 2-1.

The Crocs shocked the home fans when S.Chanturu opened the scoring in the 21st minute. However, Billy Mehmet levelled things up six minutes after the interval. When the two sides seemed destined to share the points, Syazwan Tajudin scored the winner two minutes into added time.

Pahang Avenge Defeat against Felda

Holders Pahang gained their revenge on the shock home defeat against Felda United on Saturday when they won their return encounter 2-0 at the Selayang Stadium in a Group A match of the 2014 Malaysia Cup competition.

Gopinathan Ramachandra's strike in the 66th minute gave The Elephants the opener before Dickson Nwakaeme wrapped things up two minutes into added time.

The win saw Zainal Abidin's boys continue leading the group after collecting nine points from four matches.

In another group B match at the Jalan Besar Stadium, the home side Lions XII were held to a 2-2 draw by Causeway neighbours, JDT II. Hafiz Sujak gave the home fans something to cheer early on when his strike in the first minute gave them the lead.

However, Yusof Zainal Abidin levelled things up nine minutes later before Lions' former skipper, Shahril Ishak gave his new team the lead in the 65th minute. 

The visitors were looking good for all three points late in the match but Faris Ramli scored six minutes from time to enable the home side to salvage a point.

Meanwhile in group C, Super League champions, JDT continued their fine form with a 5-0 demolition of Pulau Pinang at the Hassan Yunos Stadium, Johor Bahru.

The home side went ahead just after three minutes through Jorge Pereyra Diaz but had to wait until the half hour mark before increasing their lead through Luciano Figueroa. Amri Yahyah added the third seven minutes before the interval.

Figueroa snatched his second nine minutes into the second half before Hariss Harun completed the rout seven minutes from time.

In Kota Bahru, Kelantan were looking good to complete the double over the Armed Forces (ATM) as they entered the last ten minutes of the match with a single goal lead, courtesy of Francis Doe's strike two minutes before half time.

However, Sathianathan Bathumalai's boys did not give up and Juan Manuel Arostegui silenced the home crowd with the equalising goal five minutes from time.

Then two minutes from time, former home fans favourite, Hairudin Omar scored what turned out to be the winning goal for ATM to help them register their first away win of the competition.

...

Pahang Hoping for a Positive Start to their Cup Defence

The 2014 Malaysia Cup competition will begin in earnest today with the holders, Pahang taking on Premier League side, JDT II at the Darul Makmur Stadium in Kuantan in Group A.

After a good Super League campaign when they challenged for the title all the way until the last week, The Elephants are keen to start their defence of the cup on the right note.

Head coach, Zainal Abidin Hassan definitely wants to show the he has the capability to bring more glory to Pahang after winning the FA Cup earlier this season.

Premier League side, JDT II would definitely give their best in order to disrupt the home side's plan and it could be an explosive affair given the history between the two states in football in recent times.

Felda United which lost to Pahang in the FA Cup final are equally determined to embark on another good run in the Malaysia Cup. However, they will have to overcome the Lions XII at the Jalan Besar Stadium in order to do that.

With head coach, Irfan Bakti already stating that he has rectified the weaknesses in his team, especially the defence. However, the Lions which had an indifferent season in the Super League will definitely be fired up in front of their home crowd to open their Malaysia Cup campaign on a positive note.

However, the attention of the majority of football fans tonight will be in Johor Bahru where the home side, JDT take on Kelantan in Group C.

After securing the league title on the last day, JDT now under the guidance of former Kelantan head coach, Bojan Hodak look more settled and it would be hard for The Stags to achieve a good result.

However, George Boateng's boys could spring a surprise if their opponents take them lightly. The visitors will be without the service of their Egyptian midfielder, Ahmad Shawky who is still in his country due to personal problems.

Another Group C match will see the Armed Forces taking on Penang in Selayang. Sathianathan Bathumalai boys would not be seen as favourites after their mixed league campaign which suit them better as they will take to the field with no pressure at all.

Many football fans see Premier League side, Penang as nothing more than a spoiler in this group but a good start to their Malaysia Cup campaign could see The Panthers the initiative to be more than that.

Tomorrow Sarawak will host Terengganu in Group B with both teams are equally determined to make their mark in this year's Malaysia Cup campaign.

After being disappointed by Felda United in the last four of the FA Cup, The Crocodiles knew it is essential to do well in the competition in order to satisfy their fans demands of success.

The Turtles on the other hand also know they have to do well, especially after disappointing their fans with an early exit in the FA Cup and inconsistent showing in the league campaign despite having what many describe as an almost dream squad this season.

Kedah on the other hand, are trying to make up for their disappointment of missing promotion to the Super League. They travel to Ipoh to take on Perak which also keen to make up for a bad season which saw them escaping relegation on the last day of the season.

The most successful side in the competition, Selangor will open their Group D campaign in Kuala Terengganu against the relegated T-Team Titans.

Mehmet Durakovic whose side were denied the Super League title on the last day of the season will be looking forward to a successful campaign and a win over the home side will ease them on their way.

The Titans will be quite unpredictable after the departure of Azraai Khor Abdullah just weeks before the start of the campaign. New head coach, Annuar Abu Bakar however his boys already showing improvements during training to give him some confidence of their capabilities.

In the group other match, Sime Darby will take on Premier League champions, the Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM) at the Selayang Stadium. It would be fair to say both sides have equal chances of having a successful Malaysia Cup campaign given their performance in the league this season.


...

Azraai Resigns

The job as a head coach of a football team is synonymous with the term 'the hot seat' as one usually would not stay long with one team for a long period of time.

Whether the reason due to failure to get the right results, not getting on with the fans or simply the management do not want you to continue handling the team anymore.

Last season we saw how T-Team Titans used all kinds of methods to get rid of Peter Butler, this season The Titans were up at it again in getting rid of Azraai Khor Abdullah.

The 62 years old Azraai, who led Kedah to a 'double treble' achievements that cemented his reputation as one of the top head coaches in the country resigned after what he felt as a conspiracy by The Titans management to get him off the team.

He took full responsibility of The Titans relegation to The Premier League but still did enough to see his charges qualifying for this season Malaysia Cup competition by defeating Negeri Sembilan 1-0 in the playoff.

However, when seeing his name being accused of leaving the team in a lurch before the playoff match despite having a verbal agreement from the management to do so, Azraai took it as a sign that he was no longer wanted.

Being a man of principle he decided to resign from his position.

It was most unfortunate as we already began to see his labour with the Titans were beginning to bear their fruits.

It is going to be interesting to see who is next going to fill the Titans hotseat. Whoever he is, it is hoped that he will receive better treatment than his predecessors.

2014 Malaysia Cup Draw

The draw for the 2014 Malaysian Cup was held at the National Sports Council Institute in Bukit Jalil today.

Defending champions and top seed, Pahang are drawn together with Lions XII with two Premier League sides, Felda United and JDT II completing Group A.

In Group B, 2001 winners Terengganu have Borneo team, Sarawak for company together with another Super League side, Perak and Premier League side, Kedah.

Two heavyweights will square off in Group C. Super League champions, JDT and Kelantan will be favourites to advance from the group as the Armed Forces (ATM) and Premier League team, Pulau Pinang are seen as not strong enough to pose a serious threat to the duo.

Meanwhile Selangor will continue with the Mission-33 this season, provided they can get past Sime Darby FC, Premier League champions; the Royal Police (PDRM) and Terengganu club side, T-Team Titans.

The competition is scheduled to start on 13 August.


GROUP A
Pahang
Lions XII
Felda United
JDT II

GROUP B
Terengganu
Sarawak
Perak
Kedah

GROUP C
JDT
Kelantan
Armed Forces
Pulau Pinang

GROUP D
Selangor
Sime Darby FC
Royal Police
T-Team Titans