The Malaysia Super League is back! After what appeared to be a monumental hiatus, all the excitement and drama that we usually get from the country’s top league is already underway with Johor DT defeating Pahang to lift the Charity Shield last weekend. And if you thought last year was brilliant, be prepared to watch things escalate to a whole new level this year. With Johor DT pushing forward in their expansion plans, other teams trying to keep up and match the Southern Tigers, and the fiasco involving television rights for the league; there’s so much more to expect this year. That being said, FourthOfficial.com will be unleashing a series of club previews over the next five days and we’ll take a look at all the teams that will be strutting their stuff in the Super League this year. Next on the list is Felda United!
FELDA UNITED FC
Manager: Dato’ Haji Jamaludin Haji Ahmad
Head Coach: Irfan Bakti
SQUAD LIST
GOALKEEPERS: Fairul Azwan, Soffuan Tawil, Farizal Harun
DEFENDERS: Khairul Ismail, Bojan Miladinovic, Firdauz Faudz, Adib Aizuddin, Nasriq Bahrom, Shahrul Saad, Shukor Adan, Qhairul Anwar, Aizul Ridzuan, Hasni Zaidi
MIDFIELDERS: Zamri Ramli, Fauzan Dzulkifli, Rasyid Aya, Mohd Hadin, Shahrulnizam Mustapha, Zah Rahan Krangar, Syamim Yahya, Syahid Zaidon, Arif Mat Sin, Hadin Azman
FORWARDS: Indra Putra, Latiff Suhaimi, Edward Junior, Ndumba Makeche
STATS
Malaysia Premier League: 2nd
Malaysia FA Cup: Final
Malaysia Cup: Semi Final
ANALYSIS
Felda United are certainly one of the more interesting sides to watch this year. They’ve got an experienced coach in Irfan Bakti spearheading their charge, and there’s a fine mix between youth and experience within the squad as well. And after their performances last year, where they finished second behind PDRM in the Premier League and made the FA Cup final, nobody will be underestimating them.
The biggest coup for them was probably retaining Zah Rahan Krangar. The Liberian midfielder was sensational throughout the season, and caused so much problem for Super League sides as well, during cup competitions. They’ve also got Indra Putra up front and we all know what he is capable of, especially after the AFF Suzuki Cup last December. Shahrulnizam Mustapha is another name to watch at the heart of their midfield while the veteran Shukor Adan is certainly the leader at the back.
Irfan Bakti knows these players. He has worked with them for a year now and he knows how to get the best out of them. It’s not a team made up of big names, but the manner in which they tore Selangor apart in the Malaysia Cup last season, indicates the strength in their team chemistry. Can they do it in the Super League? Yes they can. But will they do it? That remains to be answered.
VERDICT: Dark Horses
List of Club Previews:
1. Kelantan FA
2. Sarawak FA
3. PDRM FA
4. ATM FA
5. Perak FA
6. Terengganu FA
7. Selangor FA
8. LionsXII
9. Sime Darby
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