Top scorer Marlon aims to steer Forces to Malaysia Cup glory

PETALING JAYA: Armed Forces hitman Marlon James won the Golden Boot again, but he would willingly trade it for the Super League crown.

The 36-year-old Saint Vincent and Grenadines international netted 16 goals in 22 matches to emerge top scorer. Forces, however, could only manage to finish sixth despite being among the front-runners for the title.

“It’s my job to help the team to win ... I’m the main striker and it’s my job to score but I would have been happier if we did better in the league. Winning the Golden Boot is an individual bonus and I would have preferred the Super League crown,” said Marlon.

Forces’ drop in form, however, can be attributed to the absence of Marlon due to a knee injury and suspension towards the tail-end of the league.

“We did well performance-wise. Some team didn’t play good football but still managed to beat us,” he lamented. “We conceded too many goals and suffered several shock defeats. Considering that this is our first season in the Super League, we did not do too badly and we showed them we can play,” said Marlon, who won his first Golden Boot when he was with Kedah in 2008.

Marlon’s next target is to help Forces win the Malaysia Cup, which begins on Aug 17.

Last season, he plundered 12 goals to help Forces reach the Malaysia Cup final. Forces, however, were beaten 2-3 by Kelantan.

“We will come back stronger in the Malaysia Cup. We lost the final last season. I will consider it a failure if we don’t win it this time,” said Marlon.