TENGKU Shakirinal Shah/Tengku Sulaiman Shah FC (TSS FC) dominance in the RSC-Dato’ Chu Ah Nge International Junior Soccer Tournament in the last two editions, has been reduced greatly this year, giving opportunity to the other teams to battle for the challenge trophy.
For the first time since making their debut in the tournament in 2019, TSS FC is represented by the Under-8 team only.
In the 2024 edition, TSS FC won gold medals in the Under-8, Under-10, and Under-16 categories, while claiming a silver medal in the Under-12 division to clinch the overall Datuk Cup Challenge Cup.
TSS FC, which was formed in 2019 by Tengku Shakirinal Shah, lifted the Dato’ Chu Ah Nge Trophy also in 2023.
TSS FC Chief Executive Officer Kamaruddin Omar said: “This year we are not looking at the Overall Challenge Trophy. Unlike last year, we competed in four out of five age group categories. This year we want to groom the new set of Under-8 players who are featuring in the RSC tournament for the first time.
“All the Under-8 team players who won the gold medal last year are over aged. Nevertheless, we have set a target for the Under-8 boys to play their best with the hope of qualifying for the final,” added Kamaruddin.
In the absence of a fortified challenge from TSS FC, Singapore’s Junior Soccer School League (JSSL), Penang’s Bintang Biru, and few others may find their way back to sweep a couple of medals. For the record, JSSL won the overall challenge trophy in six editions.
Meanwhile today, TSS FC finished in second spot behind Kelab Bolasepak Rahim Penang in the Under-8 Group B standings to advance to the second round. Winners pool.
Both teams amassed seven equal points. In Group A, JSSL 1 lead the group with nine points, followed by Cubs Reds FC (6) in the Under 8 category.
Villarreal Malaysia and ARHFC claim first and second spots in the Under-10 Group A category. In Group B, ARHFC Panther top the table (6 pts) followed by Bintang Biru 1 (4). As of press time, the Under-10 fixtures are still in progress.
In the Under-12 category, Bintang Biru (9 pts) and Serendah Red Eagles FC (6 pts) qualified for the next round winners pool rom Group A. Perdana United FC remain unbeaten in Group B with 11 points, and Singapore’s Lion Red FC in second spot (5 pts).
Indonesian club Tangsel Junior (7 pts) top Group A in the Under-14 category, followed by Kelab Remaja Shah Alam (5 pts) in second spot. Destiny Football Development Centre (7 pts) and Elite Hawks lead Group B challenge (6 pts). Defending champions Taruna Bakti lost all three preliminary round matches.
Malaysian teams Myskill and Apache Falcons lead the Under-16 Group standings and advanced to the second round with seven and six points respectively after three matches. In Group B Singapore’s JSSL FC 1 and Indonesia’s Inspire Medan share seven equal points. JSSL, however, takes top spot.
Teams with the highest cumulative points score will be presented with the Dato’ Chu Ah Nge Challenge Trophy. The playing time for each match is 18 minutes.
The tournament resumes tomorrow (Dec 6) with second round matches, while the semifinals and finals will be be played on Sunday.
