National Team - Lions ● Jul 25, 2018
OVERSEAS WATCH: Faris nets winner for PKNS, Shahdan stars in Melaka comeback
Faris Ramli has been in good form of late, while Shahdan Sulaiman showed off his dead-ball prowess
JDT captain Hariss Harun lifts the Malaysia Super League trophy. (PHOTO: JDT)
Hariss Harun (Johor Darul Ta’zim) – Malaysia Super League (MSL)
JDT captain Hariss Harun had the honour of lifting the club’s fifth consecutive MSL title on 20 July following a resounding 4-0 victory at home to Kelantan. The title was also Hariss’ fifth personal MSL crown.
JDT’s rich vein of form has seen them rack up nine straight league wins, including three in a row since clinching the title on 10 July against Perak.
Recent fixtures
13/7/18: Kedah FA 1-2 JDT (MSL)
20/7/18: JDT 4-0 Kelantan (MSL)
23/7/18: PKNP 1-2 JDT (MSL)
Safuwan Baharudin has a drink after the game against Melaka United. (PHOTO: Pahang FA)
Safuwan Baharudin (Pahang FA) – MSL
Safuwan Baharudin’s Pahang FA ended a run of three straight draws with a crucial 1-0 victory over fellow top-four contender PKNS in their most recent outing.
That victory meant that Pahang leapfrogged PKNS into third spot in the table, and a win in their final league game of the season should all but guarantee a top-three finish for the Malaysia FA Cup Champions.
Recent Fixtures
11/7/18: Pahang FA 0-0 PKNP (MSL)
14/7/18: Perak 1-1 Pahang FA (MSL)
18/7/18: Melaka United 2-2 Pahang FA (MSL)
21/7/18: Pahang 1-0 PKNS (MSL)
Faris Ramli (PKNS) – MSL
Faris Ramli has been in scorching form of late, scoring twice in his last four outings. His goal haul included the only goal of the game against PKNP on 18 July to help PKNS break into the top three for the first time since game-week three.
PKNS could not consolidate third spot after losing 1-0 in their last outing against nearest challengers Pahang FA and have dropped to fifth in the MSL.
With a game still to play in the league, PKNS’ final MSL standing is out of their hands and will depend on the performance of Terengganu, who are two points ahead in fourth.
Recent Fixtures
11/7/18: PKNS 5-3 Negeri Sembilan (MSL)
14/7/18: PKNS 4-0 Terengganu (MSL)
18/7/18: PKNP 0-1 PKNS (MSL)
21/7/18: Pahang 1-0 PKNS (MSL)
Shahdan Sulaiman (left) looks to shake off his defender. (PHOTO: Melaka United)
Shahdan Sulaiman (Melaka United) – MSL
Shahdan Sulaiman featured prominently for Melaka United in their recent four-game unbeaten run, which included a last-gasp 3-2 comeback victory at home against Selangor.
The hosts equalised twice and Shahdan grabbed the assist for the second goal, laying on a pin-point free-kick delivery for Yahor Zubovich to head in.
Melaka United are currently seventh in the MSL with a game left to play.
Recent Fixtures
14/7/18: Kelantan 1-1 Melaka United (MSL)
18/7/18: Melaka United 2-2 Pahang FA (MSL)
21/7/18: Melaka United 3-2 Selangor (MSL)
Gabriel Quak (Royal Thai Navy FC) – Thai League 1
Gabriel Quak did not feature for Royal Thai Navy FC in both of their recent fixtures in Thai League 1.
Following back-to-back 2-2 draws in the league, Royal Thai Navy FC remained in 16th spot in the table.
Recent Fixtures
14/7/18: Sukhothai FC 2-2 Royal Thai Navy FC (Thai League 1)
22/7/18: Royal Thai Navy FC 2-2 Ratchaburi FC (Thai League 1)
Zulfahmi Arifin of Chonburi FC showcases his latest customised boots.
Zulfahmi Arifin (Chonburi FC) – Thai League 1
Zulfahmi Arifin made a substitute appearance on 11 July in the Thai League Cup as Chonburi FC ran out 5-1 winners over Muangthong United to reach the last eight of the competition.
Chonburi FC will face fellow Thai League 1 team Bangkok Glass FC for a spot in the last four on 8 August.
On 20th July, Zulfahmi released images of an impressively customised pair of boots featuring the shark motif of his club.
Recent Fixtures
11/7/18: Chonburi 5-1 Muangthong United (Thai League Cup)
14/7/18: Ratchaburi FC 1-1 Chonburi (Thai League 1)
22/7/18: Chonburi 0-2 Buriram United (Thai League 1)
Baihakki Khaizan (Udon Thani FC) – Thai League 2
Baihakki returned to the starting line-up when Udon Thani FC faced Army United on 21 July.
However, he could not deny Army United and fellow Singapore international Hassan Sunny from claiming a 1-0 victory.
Udon Thani has dropped to 10th in Thai league 2 as they remained on 24 points, having been positioned in seventh place two weeks ago.
Recent Fixtures
15/7/18: Udon Thani FC 1-2 Lampang FC (Thai League 2)
21/7/18: Army United 1-0 Udon Thani FC (Thai League 2)
Izwan Mahbud (Nong Bua Pitchaya) – Thai League 2
Nong Bua Pitchaya suffered a setback in their title challenge with a 3-0 away loss to Khon Kaen FC on 14 July. Izwan Mahbud started in goal for the club but could not extend his run of two straight clean sheets.
Nong Bua Pitchaya are now fourth in Thai League 2 with 37 points and trail third-placed Khon Kaen FC on goal difference.
Recent Fixtures
14/7/18: Khon Kaen FC 3-0 Nong Bua Pitchaya (Thai League 2)
Hassan Sunny (Orange) and his team before the match against Udon Thani FC. (PHOTO: Army United FC Fan club)
Hassan Sunny (Army United) – Thai League 2
Hassan Sunny kept a clean sheet in a 1-0 win against Udon Thani FC on 21 July as Army United continued their impressive run of form in Thai League 2.
Army United are currently sixth on 28 points following a run of four wins and a draw in their last five league outings.
Recent Fixtures
21/7/18: Army United 1-0 Udon Thani FC (Thai League 2)
