* Super League match between Selangor and JDT will be played on Saturday
* Red Giants refuse to play match on Friday
The much awaited high profile Super League match between defending champions Johor Darul Takzim and former kingpins Selangor will be played as scheduled – on Saturday at the Shah Alam Stadium.
The Southern Tigers had requested for the match to be played on Friday at the same venue because JDT will be playing in a Group F match in the AFC Cup against India’s Bengal FC at the Larkin Stadium on Tuesday. Playing the Selangor match earlier would have given them longer rest.
However, FA of Selangor (FAS) secretary Rosman Mohd Ibrahim was quoted as saying that it was not possible to bring the match forward to Friday as it is a high profile match and lot of efforts and preparations are being put in by Selangor. Bringing the match forward by a day will disrupt the team’s preparations.
Selangor are still winless after two matches – losing 2-0 to Terengganu in Kuala Terengganu in their first match followed and a 1-1 draw against Pahang at the Darul Makmur Stadium in Kuantan.
JDT beat Pahang 2-0 in the Charity Shield (which also doubled up as a league match) at the Larkin Stadium but were jolted by a 1-0 defeat to newcomers Police at the Shah Alam Stadium. In between JDT were also knocked out of the AFC Champions League qualifying round with a 3-0 defeat to Thailand champions Bangkok Glass in Bangkok in the second round after clearing the first round with a 2-1 win over India’s Bengaluru FC.
FA of Malaysia (FAM) competitions committee chairman Datuk Apandi Hamzah said matches will be played as scheduled unless both parties agree to a change.
“Since Selangor have turned down JDT’s request, the match will be played as scheduled…that is on Saturday,” said Apandi.
