Monday, 28 July 2014

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.

Sunday, 13 July 2014

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