KUALA LUMPUR: KUANTAN FA achieved a milestone in only their second season in the M-League by becoming champions in the FAM League.
The Pahang-based club also earned promotion to the Premier League next season along with second-placed Kuala Lumpur.
Kuantan topped the league with 48 points, five more than KL, to earn the winners’ cheque of RM60,000.
Coach Syukri Ismail attributed Kuantan’s success to determination and hard work.
“We worked so hard to achieve this success. It was not easy as the schedule was tight.
“We have achieved our target but we must work harder next season for the Premier League,” said Syukri recently.
“Everyone showed commitment but of course, we had our shortcomings in some matches. We dropped points in the three draws and four defeats.”
Syukri also praised nine former Super League players, who were integral to his team’s success.
Former Pahang goalkeeper Mohd Rosfaizul Azuar Ali conceded only 18 goals in 22 matches while striker Mohd Kamal Rodiarjat Ali, who played for Terengganu last season, emerged as the tournament’s top scorer with 13 goals.
Other ex-state players were Mohd Fahmi Izzudin Mohd Zuki, Amirullah Abd Razab, Supian Heri, Muhd Firdaus Bolkhiah Azmin (all Terengganu), Abd Wafiy Abdul Ghafar, Khairul Azman Awang Long (both Pahang) and Wan Muhammad Firdaus Wan Demi (Perlis).
Syukri added that the team’s management will decide on the budget and other matters soon for next season.
KL secured promotion after just one season in the third-tier after overcoming Yayasan Bina Upaya 2-1 in Ipoh on Wednesday.
KL were aided by the surprise defeats of closest challengers Kuantan Port, who lost to Ministry of Finance (MOF) and MISC-MIFA to end up five points behind KL.
KL coach Tang Siew Seng said the success was down to the hard work of the players and management.
“After what happened last year, the pressure was on the management and us to make sure we got back up again,” said Siew Seng, referring to the match-fixing admission of last year’s squad.
“We did not play as well as we could (against YBU) but we did enough. Everyone is very happy and we had a short celebration on the pitch.”
Naufal Naim Tony Rosdin eased KL’s nerves with the opening goal in the 24th minute before Al Hafis Aziz Jaafar equalised 15 minutes from the end.
But S. Kalai Arasu’s sending off six minutes later allowed KL to score the winner in stoppage-time though Lukhman Noor Hakim Jaafar.
Young Tigers C coach Hassan Sazali Waras also did well to steer his Under-19 squad to fourth position in the league.
“It was difficult at first as some players did not have any experience in a senior league before this competition. But now everyone has improved tremendously and I am happy to note that three players have joined Tigers A in Brisbane,” said Hassan Sazali.
Syazuan Andik, the team’s top scorer with nine goals, along with Mohd Raphi Azizan Mariappen and Muhammad Muhd, have reported to Tigers A coach Ong Kim Swee for the Queensland League.
Newcomers Hakimi Husin and Akmal Farhan, who signed during the midseason transfer window, were also outstanding.
“We are waiting for an approval from the FA of Malaysia to continue our training in Slovakia in August. If we do not go, we have an alternative plan to play a tournament in China the following month,” Hassan Sazali added.