Emkay-NPNG win Super Division title

Emkay-NPNG players and officials celebrating after winning the Super Division crown in the FAS league. — Photos: ROHAIZAT MD DARUS/The Star

EMKAY-NPNG has once again become the Super Division champions in the Football Association of Selangor (FAS) League.

Emkay-NPNG edged arch-rival PNSB after a sudden death penalty shoot-out in the final at the Selayang Municipal Council (MPS) Stadium.

The match ended 1-1 after normal time and there was no goal during extra time. During the nail-biting penalty shoot-out, it was 4-4 after the mandatory five kicks. Eventually, the sudden death shoot-out favoured Emkay-NPNG.

Once again Emkay-NPNG’s hero was goalkeeper Mohd Zaidi Razlee. Mohd Zaidi, who saved three penalty in Emkay-NPNG’s win over PKNS, blocked PNSB’s Mohd Khairi Mohd Khandani’s spot-kick.

The match started with PNSB opting for an aggressive game with the aim of getting an early goal. They were impressive with former Selangor Zulbadly Ismail playing an inspiring role in midfield. The 29-year-old Zulbadly was in the thick of action with his defence splitting passes.

Unfortunately, all his efforts came to naught as the forwards were unable to make them count. Emkay-NPNG were relying on quick counter attacks but their strikers – G. Rohan and G. Sivachandran – were not effective.

The first half ended goalless. The second half resumed with Emkay-NPNG taking the initiative to attack.

And they were rewarded in the 55th minute when Rohan scored. Despite being down by a goal, PNSB were determined to get the equaliser.

It came in the 67th minute. The entire Emkay-NPNG defenders were caught napping and Elias Abdullah did not have any problem beating Mohd Zaidi.

The match went into extra time and Emkay-NPNG had several open chances but wasted them all because of poor finishing.

Mohd Zaidi was again the hero for his team after saving spot-kicks in the sudden-death.

During the mandatory penalty shoot-out, Emkay-NPNG’s Mohd Shuhaimi Shuib missed but his teammates – Sivachandran, M. Ganeswaran, Mohd Lukhman Noor Hakim and Mohd Radzhi Pilus – scored.

PNSB’s Azhari Hamzah, Azro Syamsul Rizal Azmin, Mohd Fadhullah Md Rawi and Zulbadly scored but Mohd Norli Mohd Sali failed.

The sudden death saw Ahmad Jihad Ismail scoring for Emkay-NPNG but PNSB’s Mohd Khairi’s shot was saved by Mohd Zaidi. And the Emkay-NPNG players and officials celebrated.

It was a memorable season for Emkay-NPNG as they won the Charity Shield as well as the FA Cup. They have also become the Super Division champions for the third straight season.

Emkay-NPNG coach Michael Palani said it was a tense match as both teams were committed towards winning.

“PNSB wanted to deny us a hat trick while we were eager to complete a Grand Slam – winning all three titles.

“We have achieved a rare feat in the FAS league. We have won the Super Division crown for the eighth time in 10 seasons.

“The players were consistent throughout the season. Otherwise we could not have become champions. PNSB should be praised as they gave a tough fight and we were lucky during the penalty shoot-out,’’ said Palani.

Emkay-NPNG, as the champions, received RM20,000, challenge trophy and individual medals while PNSB settled for RM10,000.

AirAsia Allstars and PKNS, the losing semi-finalists, were joint third.

FAS competition committee chairman Datuk Ariffin Abdul Hamid gave away the prizes to the winning teams.

“It was an exciting finale to the season.

“We would like to thank the teams for cooperating with the FAS to complete the season as scheduled.

“We will start preparations for the new season. The league will most probably kick off in August,” said Ariffin.