USM’s unbeaten home record comes to an end

UNIVERSITI Sains Malaysia (USM) FC registered another big defeat in their on-going Premier League campaign.

By RONNIE OH
north@thestar.com.my
http://thestar.com.my/metro/story.asp?file=/2012/2/15/north/10735194&sec=north

The varsity team which collected maximum points in their first three home outings, were just unfortunate to run into an energetic Pahang outfit.

That was the scenario at the USM Stadium in Penang on Monday when the East Coast State carved out a slim 1-0 win. The three precious points Pahang picked up on the road not only enabled them to maintain their second spot on the 12-team League table but allowed the team to close in on current leader Armed Forces.

The army outfit have been going great guns, managing 18 points from six wins in seven outings and are perched at the top, two points adrift of closest rival Pahang, who have 16 points from five wins, a draw and a loss.

For USM their second straight defeat in four days, have cost them their fourth spot achieved just two weeks ago. Beaten 1-4 by Sime Darby last Friday, the solitary goal defeat to Pahang on Monday, has resulted in USM sliding down to seventh position.

USM coach S. Veloo, however, is unperturbed with their recent predicament.

“The two straight defeats have made us look bad. But I am confident this will blow over,” said Veloo, who is into his third season charting the varsity’s football fortunes.

“Monday’s defeat to Pahang was most unfortunate. As far as I am concerned, we played very well and only a moment of defensive lapse, denied us what could have been a precious point at home,” Veloo added.

Veloo was not wrong in making that claim as USM, powered by their new Ugandan signing Kaye Edrisar, did put up a gallant performance to give Pahang some harrowing moments.

One such move nearly resulted in USM grabbing an early 11th minute lead. With S. Vennod having a good understanding with his Ugandan teammate, the former’s left footed volley nearly resulted in a goal.

Pahang stepped up a gear in the second half and the varsity side was in trouble in the 72nd minute. With speedy R. Gopinathan controlling the left flank, his measured cross found his new Russian teammate, Kockin Boris in firing range.

Boris smashed home the winning goal at the top of the box and Pahang grabbed the full three points.

Pahang coach Dollah Salleh readily admitted that they were lucky to have come away with a win as he felt it was not their best performance on the night.

“We were not really up to the mark if our performances are to be used as a yardstick. But I’m not complaining as we have the three points to stay within striking distance of leader Armed Forces,” said Dollah.

USM score another first

UNIVERSITI Sains Malaysia (USM) FC are all set to write another chapter into the history books.

By RONNIE OH
Photos by GARY CHEN
http://thestar.com.my/metro/story.asp?file=/2012/2/9/north/10700330&sec=north

After becoming the first university side ever to feature in the Malaysian professional football league, they have raised the bar again as the first varsity side to have a foreign signing.

Ready to go: USM FC team going through their paces during training at USM Stadium, Penang.

The Penang outfit, which is into its third season in Malaysia’s second tier league, has successfully beefed up their challenge by hiring Ugandan hitman Kaye Edrisar earlier this week.

Team manager Azizudin Mohd Shariff said that Edrisar, who is the Uganda National Under-23 striker, has been impressive since checking into Penang last Friday.

Taking head: Edrisar listening to coach Veloo's briefing on USM's team setup.

“With barely a week left before the transfer window closed, we managed to check him out by playing him in two friendlies.

“Being a national striker, Edrisar, who is only 22, had a good outing and it was enough to convince us that we have found the right candidate to solve our striking woes,” said Azizudin.

Edrisar proved to be the livewire of the USM side when they took on Perak in Ipoh last Saturday.

Although it was barely 24 hours after his arrival from Uganda, Edrisar looked lively throughout. He won a free kick near Perak’s penalty area which was successfully converted by Elias Sulaiman to earn the team a 1-1 draw.

Danger man: Edrisar strutting his stuff.

In his next game against FAM Cup debutant Penang Water Authorities (PBA) on Monday, Edrisar shone again when he successfully slotted home the winning goal in their 2-1 victory.

“We have confirmed him as our import and we are currently working hard to get his transfer papers ready on time for our away clash against Sime Darby tomorrow,” said Azizudin, who hinted on another foreign signing..

USM, which is sitting joint fourth with Sime Darby with 10 points from three wins and a draw after five outings, are likely to check out Edrisar’s national striking partners Peter Otema and Kigori Ismail as well.

Both players, said Azizudin, came highly recommended by Edrisar and since there is room for one more foreign signing, is prepared to seriously consider them.

“Both Otema and Ismail come highly recommended but until they show us what they are made of, we will not jump into any conclusions. They must first convince us like what Edrisar did,” said Azizudin, whose aim is to get the team qualify for the Malaysia Cup.

USM’s bold move to include imported players in their team, made them the fifth Premier League outfit to parade foreigners in the on-going League. The other four teams with foreign players are League leader Armed Forces, Sime Darby, Johor and Muar MP.

USM claim latest victims by beating Harimau Muda 3-1 in Premier League

UNIVERSITI Sains Malaysia (USM) FC continued to flex their muscles to make Harimau Muda ‘B’ their third victims as the varsity outfit marched to their third straight home win in the Premier League in Penang.

By RONNIE OH
north@thestar.com.my
Photos by MUHAMAD SHAHRIL ROSLI
http://thestar.com.my/metro/story.asp?file=/2012/1/31/north/10560585&sec=north

With Pos Malaysia and Negri Sembilan’s Betaria already made to troop home with identical 2-1 de-feat, the Malaysian Under-19 boys was not spared the rod when they came to Penang on Friday.

The varsity outfit, like in their previous two home outings, were left trailing early but once they got moving, went on to register a deser-ving 3-1 win and grabbed all three points in their ongoing Premier League campaign.

The victory which gave them 10 precious points from three wins and a draw after five outings, was a pleasing result for their more than 1,000 supporters and allowed them to keep the current League leaders within striking distance.

On a night when Police FC took over as the new leaders, simply because the unbeaten Pahang are only to play their fifth League match against Armed Forces on Friday, USM’s triumph firmly put themselves on par with the East Coast giants, only to be placed third in the 14-team League table due to a more inferior goal different.

 Brave effort: USM FC player S. Vennod (second right) wrestling the ball from Harimau Muda 'B' player Muhamad Akram during the Premier League soccer match at USM Stadium in Penang

Even the top table seat Police have been made to look vulnerable as, despite taking a one-point lead over Pahang, but having played one match more automatically gave the ‘Elephants’ the upper hand.


Armed Forces FC, who have also been going great guns until they suffered a hiccup against Sime Darby FC in their last outing, also cannot be discounted for wresting back the top table seat.

Being just two points adrift of Police, an outright win over Pahang on Friday could also allow them to regain the leadership they have been enjoying since the start of the season.

Sorry, mate: USM FC player Darwira clearing away from Harimau Muda 'B' player Nik Shafiq Syazwan (in orange)

But for USM, Friday’s win over Harimau Muda proved to be most significant in their bid to stay among the early leaders in their ongoing Premier League challenge.

Although they are still struggling to put up a winning act away from home, going down to Police (0-2) and held to a 1-1 draw by basement side Johor MBJB, USM have always delivered when playing to the chorus of their home fans.

This was evident when they again braved an early setback and battled relentlessly to regain victory. Never mind that Harimau Muda ‘B’ got off with a roaring start, with Mohd Norhamizaref Hamid crashing home an unchallenged header just after seven minutes.

As if awakened from slumber, USM began punching holes at the Harimau Muda’s defence, with pro-mising young strikers Mohd Faizat Ghazali and S. Vennod.

That firmly signalled a USM revi-val and the moment Mohd Faizat snapped at a keeper’s error, USM was back levelled in the 36th minute. The Under-17 lad blasted home a loose ball after goalkeeper Muhd Ilham Amirullah failed to catch clean a Mohd Fakhrul Yaacob free kick.

The greatly inspired USM side continued to pressure the national outfit and the moment Vennod raced past to finish off M. Prakash through ball and delivered the second blow just two minutes later, it gave them a 2-1 lead at the breather.

It was all over for Harimau Muda ‘B’ when Vennod smashed home his second goal to complete a brace in the 57th minute. Released by Mohd Afzan Zainal Abidin, the speedy Vennod charged in to slot home their third goal to complete their 3-1 win.

USM FC coach S. Veloo understandably was all smiles at the final whistle.

“It was an important win as it kept us within striking distance of the leaders,” said Veloo, who attributed their win to the discipline and determination of his players.

He said: “But what impressed me most is the confidence displayed by two of my Under-17 players — Mohd Faizat and Mohd Shafiq (Safaruddin) at the different end of the field.

“While Mohd Faizat displayed his attacking flair to near perfection, Mohd Shafiq proved to be a pillar of strength in executing his centre back roles. That came like a big bonus.”

Veloo, however, is not about to rest on his laurels. With the League going into a two-week break, he is eager to maintain the rhythm with warm-up matches before they resume their campaign against Sime Darby FC at the Selayang MC Stadium on Feb 10.

USMFC x Harimau Muda B

Laporan:
USMFC puas berjaya perangkap Harimau Muda B