2013 Malaysia Super League Preview

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With a number of challengers on the prowl, Kelantan will have it all to do if they are to defend the Malaysia Super League title in 2013.

There is no doubting the Red Warriors were the standout team last year en route to completing the league, Malaysia Cup and FA Cup treble.

However, those expecting a similar outcome this season should take a second look at the competition Bojan Hodak’s men will be facing over the next six months.

Premier League champions ATM were widely expected to be the rising force in Malaysian football after their big-spending ways saw them secure promotion to the top flight, but even their spending has been dwarfed by Darul Takzim (previously known as Johor FC).

2012 runners-up LIONSXII have named a youthful squad to help Singapore’s vie for honours at the year-end Southeast Asian (SEA) Games, but still have the likes of Shahril Ishak and Baihakki Khaizan to call upon, while perennial challengers Selangor can never be ruled out.

Here, ESPNSTAR.com takes a look at the 12 teams that will be challenging in the Super League ahead of Tuesday’s big kick-off.

ATM (Premier League champions last season)

Had the Armed Forces retained the side that won promotion last season, they would easily have been considered as genuine title contenders.

The loss of a trio of Malaysia internationals in Aidil Zafuan, Zaquan Adha and Azmi Muslim will definitely be felt, although coach B. Sathianathan has done well to bring in a number of good reinforcements.

In Shukor Adan, ATM have one of the most-experienced midfielders in the league and a player who has a positive influence wherever he goes, while the signing of ex-Harimau Muda star Affize Faisal means they have a utility player capable of fulfilling a variety of roles.

Plenty is also expected of rising star K. Reuben, but the Gladiators will still be heavily reliant on their old guard of Hairuddin Omar, Rezal Zambery Yahya, Marlon Alex James and Bruno Martelotto.

Prediction: 5th

Darul Takzim (9th in Super League last season)

Darul Takzim captivated football fans across the country late last year when they announced the signing of Dani Guiza, a former Spain international who was part of the side that won Euro 2008, before following that up with the capture of ex-Lazio man Simone Del Nero.

Still, foreign signings normally take time to get used to life in a new country, which is why it is Harimau Selantan’s local brigade that looks set to make the biggest impact.

The off-season capture of Norshahrul Idlan Talaha and Safee Sali means coach Fandi Ahmad will have Malaysia’s first-choice strike duo at his disposal, and the pair should have no shortage of deliveries to feed on with national team captain Safiq Rahim pulling the strings in midfield.

Add to that the likes of Aidil, Zaquan, Azmi and Muslim Ahmad and it is clear to see why Darul Takzim are regarded as the strongest side in the league, and that’s without including Nurul Azwan Roya, who starred on the wing for Kelantan last term.

In Zamir Selamat, they also have one of the country’s brightest goalkeeping prospects and should everything fall into place, it’s difficult to see anyone stopping the Johor-based outfit this year.

Prediction: Champions

FELDA United (10th in Super League last season)

Since winning promotion to the Super League in 2010, FELDA have done well to preserve their top-flight status, but unfortunately for them, that looks set to change this year.

In previous seasons, there were always teams that were much worse than them but given the improvement most sides have made, the Settlers will need a minor miracle if they are to avoid the drop.

They did pull off something of a coup signing Lebanon international Mohammed Ghaddar, but unlike last season when he had plenty of service from his Kelantan team-mates, it looks as though he will have to do a lot more on his own this time around.

Ex-Terengganu anchorman Reeshafiq Alwi could also prove to be a useful addition to the squad but as things stand it looks like it’s going to be a long year for FELDA.

Prediction: 12th (Relegation)

Kelantan (Super League champions last season)

If the Red Warriors are to successfully defend their league title, they will have to do it without the talismanic figure of Norshahrul.

Importantly for Hodak, he still has arguably the league’s most-compatible central-midfield partnership in Badhri Radzi and Shakir Shaari, while the underrated Norfarhan Muhammad should once again deliver the goals, especially in big games.

Depending on how long it takes S. Subramaniam to fully recover from the knee injury that ruled him out of last year’s AFF Suzuki Cup, Kelantan’s defence remains as strong as it was last season, although plenty of eyes will be on Khairul Fahmi and how he recovers from his horror display at the regional tournament.

The signings of Zairo Anuar Zailani and Faiz Subri from T-Team, in addition to the presence of Indra Putra Mahayuddin, also means there will be no shortage of creativity in the attacking third, which should leave Guinean striker Keita Mandjou rubbing his hands in glee.

Whether or not all this is enough to see off the challenge of Darul Takzim remains the big question.

Prediction: 2nd

LIONSXII (2nd in Super League last season)

Although some are already ruling out the LIONSXII given that 17 of their 29-man squad will be pulling on the jersey for the first time this term, many had the same misgivings last January when the Singaporean outfit were preparing for their debut season in the Super League.

From the side that finished as runners-up in 2012, a number of key members remain, including captain Shahril Ishak, centre-backs Baihakki Khaizan and Safuwan Baharudin, midfield duo Hariss Harun and Isa Halim and goalkeeper Izwan Mahbud.

The loss of playmaker Shahdan Sulaiman, who has rejoined Tampines Rovers, does leave a gaping hole in the middle of the park – one that the likes of Hafiz Sujad, Zulfahmi Arifin, Faris Ramli and Shahfiq Ghani will all be hoping to fill.

Also keep an eye out for winger Gabriel Quak, who was named in the squad last season but failed to play a single game due to national service commitments, and Raihan Rahman, who recently captained a Singapore youth side against their counterparts from Manchester United, Liverpool and Sporting Lisbon in the NexLions Cup.

Prediction: 4th

Negri Sembilan (6th in Super League last season)

2012 promised so much for Negri Sembilan after they kicked off the season with an impressive 2-1 win over Kelantan in the Charity Shield, months after an equally-remarkable triumph over Terengganu to win the Malaysia Cup.

Unfortunately for the Deer, they struggled for consistency all campaign long and things do not look like getting any better this year, especially after the departures of Jean-Emmanuel Effa Owona and S. Kunanlan – two of their best players.

One positive that took place over the off-season was the departure of Slovak centre-back Marian Farbak, who was arguably the reason behind their quarter-final exit in the Malaysia Cup last term following his insipid displays against ATM.

Negri’s new coach Divaldo Alves has replaced him with Cameroonian defender William Modibo, while Effa Owona’s slot has been filled by Argentine Emanuel De Porras, two men with experience in Southeast Asia but who have never played in Malaysia.

The presence of Ahmad Shakir Ali and Shahurain Abu Samah means Alves’ side have the potential to be a threat to the best of opponents, but it’s unlikely the duo will be able to carry their side to a top-five finish.

Prediction: 8th

Pahang (2nd in Premier League last season)

Pahang showed they were ready for top-flight football last July when they saw off Sarawak and Kedah to book their spot in the Super League by winning the four-way promotion/relegation playoffs.

But Tok Gajah will be aware they have to do a lot more if they are to avoid an immediate return to the Premier League given the quality of opposition they will face in 2013.

Coach Dollah Salleh has managed to keep hold of his key players in Azamuddin Akil, Zaiza Zainal Abidin and R. Gopinathan, with the former likely to be their main threat in attack regardless of whether he plays up front or on the wings.

Pahang have also bolstered their strike force by using their foreign player quota on two forwards – towering Macedonian Nikolce Kleckaroski and Moroccan Mohamed Borji.

However, it is at the back where they look most vulnerable. For all the experience Jalaluddin Jaafar and Saifulnizam Miswan bring, they are easily exposed by pacey and tricky opponents, a breed of player the Super League has in abundance.

Still, the Tok Gajah midfield is significantly bolstered by the arrival of ex-Selangor duo Amirulhadi Zainal and Azidan Sarudin, and they could add just enough quality to help their new side avoid the dreaded drop.

Prediction: 10th

Perak (4th in Super League last season)

Despite being inconsistent at times last season, Perak did well enough to finish fourth in the league , just a point behind Selangor, who qualified for this year’s AFC Cup given the LIONSXII are ineligible to represent Malaysia in continental competition.

Strangely enough, it was not enough to save Norizan Bakar from the axe, especially after a 6-0 drubbing at the hands of Kelantan, and his replacement Jang Jung suffered the same fate following a group-stage exit in the Malaysia Cup.

Leading the Seladang charge this term will be Azraai Khor Abdullah, a man who has no lack of experience and he has already set about creating a side in his image.

By bringing Abdul Hadi Yahya, S. Chanturu and Yong Kuong Yong to Stadium Perak, the 60-year-old has ensured his side will be brimming with pace and skill in the attacking third, something French import Karim Rouani will hopefully make the most of.

Nonetheless, his best move could be the signing of goalkeeper Farizal Marlias from Negri, after the 26-year-old impressed at the Suzuki Cup despite Harimau Malaya’s eventual semi-final exit.

Prediction: 6th

PKNS FC (7th in Super League last season)

After gaining promotion to the Super League for the first team in their history, PKNS exceeded all expectations by finishing well clear of the drop zone last year – ending the campaign a respectable 7th.

A key reason behind their impressive displays last year was the presence of the formidable Tunisian midfielder Helmi Loussaeif.

And in an astute move, the Red Ants decided to use their second foreign player spot on Patrick Ronaldinho Wleh, the 22-year-old Liberia international who starred in Sime Darby’s run to the FA Cup final last term, and nearly dragged them to the promotion/relegation playoff spot.

But as the likes of Kedah and Sarawak proved in 2012, having a number of outstanding players is not enough to carry an entire team and stave off relegation. Thus, avoiding the drop could prove a bridge too far for PKNS this year.

Prediction: 11th (Relegation)

Selangor (3rd in Super League last season)

Given the rich history Selangor have, it is understandable how going the last two seasons without silverware has been viewed as a failure by their passionate fans.

It is therefore imperative that they avoid another unsuccessful campaign and in a bid to avoid that, Red Giants boss Irfan Bakti has rung in the changes for the new year.

The 11 new faces he has brought to the Shah Alam Stadium include Malaysia internationals Mahalli Jasuli and S. Kunanlan, ex-Terengganu number one Sharbinee Allawee Ramli and Liberia international Francis Forkey Doe, who was the league’s joint-top scorer in 2012.

With Doe leading the line alongside Amri Yahyah and the highly-rated Afiq Azmi, goals certainly won’t be hard to come by for Selangor, especially with new signing Michal Kubala capable of weighing in with a few of his own from midfield.

Crucially, Irfan is set to regain the services of tenacious midfielder K. Gurusamy, who missed almost all of last season due to injury, and he – along with newly-appointed captain Asraruddin Putra Omar – will provide the side with the resolve they have been lacking.

Still, it will be interesting to see which of their foreign players the Red Giants plump for in the league, given they have to choose two from the quartet of Doe, Kubala, Ramez Dayoub and Peter Chrappan, leaving the others to settle for AFC Cup action.

Prediction: 3rd

Terengganu (5th in Super League last season)

The new season cannot come soon enough for Terengganu after the turbulent 2012 which saw both Mat Zan Mat Aris and Peter Butler removed from the helm.

Butler’s ill-fated spell in particular resulted in a mini-exodus that saw Doe, Muslim, Abdul Hadi, Reeshafiq and Abdul Shukor Jusoh leave.

The Englishman’s subsequent departure also meant E. Elavarasan was left to pick up the pieces and rebuild the squad, a task he has coped with admirably well by bringing in the likes of goalkeeper Syed Adney from Sabah and ex-FELDA duo Farderin Kadir and Khairan Ezuan Razali.

Although Doe joining Selangor means the Turtles have lost last season’s joint-top scorer in the league, they have picked up an equally capable replacement with the capture of Effa Owona, who also netted 15 times in the previous campaign.

There is also some form of continuity with Faizal Muhammad, Ismail Faruqi Asha’ri and Abdul Manaf Mamat all staying on from last season, but it remains to be seen how fast they can gel with their new team-mates, especially after last season’s troubles.

Prediction: 7th

T-Team (8th in Super League last season)

Since their birth in 2007, T-Team have spent the entirety of their existence as the state’s second side, to the extent of being nicknamed “Young Turtles” to Terengganu’s “Turtles”.

All that looks set to change this season as the Titans, as they are now known as, prepare to step out of the shadow of their more-illustrious derby rivals, and establish themselves as the number one team in Kuala Terengganu.

Despite a controversial year that saw him removed from both Kelantan and Terengganu, Butler remains one of the most tactically-astute coaches in Malaysia and could just have the right troops at his disposal given the young and eager squad he’s assembled.

The ex-West Ham man has also pulled out all the stops to bring Barclays Premier League duo George Boateng and Caleb Folan to the club, and both will provide plenty of quality not just to T-Team, but the league as a whole.

Butler has also brought Marzuki Yusof and Mazlizam Mohamad along with him from the Turtles and both will slot straight into his back four, adding valuable experience to his starting XI.

The one worry for T-Team is in attack, especially if Folan takes time to fire on all cylinders, given both their most-prolific marksmen from last season – Zairo and Faiz – have both left for Kelantan, while their next top scorer Fadzli Saari is now plying his trade with Sime Darby.

Prediction: 9th