Investments pay off for Ministry of Finance team

MINISTRY of Finance FC (MOF) look set to make an impact this season following a perfect start in the FAM Cup.

Last Sunday, MOF recorded their second straight win in Group A by overcoming Shahzan Muda 1-0 at Inspen Stadium in Bangi.

Former Kedah winger Farizal Rozali netted the only goal in the 76th minute.

The promising start has put them on the right footing for their FAM Cup third round match against Sabah on March 11.

Formed in 2014, MOF have invested in several former state players in the hope of gaining promotion to next season’s Premier League.

Among the notable players are former Selangor striker Rudie Ramli, Reeshafiq Alwi, Wan Zaman Wan Mustapha and Wan Mohd Azwari Wan Nor.

Coach S. Balachandran hopes the team will be able to maintain their consistency throughout the season.

“The FAM Cup is not an easy tournament. Many teams have invested on quality players. Every team have the same ambition of promotion and we need to be on our toes.

“The first target is to finish top four for qualification into the quarter-finals.

“I have fighters who are eager to help the club achieve their goals.

“As for the FA Cup, it is already a great achievement to reach the third round.

“Anything more than that will be a bonus and added motivation to the team,” said Balachandran.

University Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) lead the standings on goal difference over MOF with each notching two wins.

Hasrul Nurkholis Hasim’s hattrick earned UKM a 4-3 win over MPKB-BRI UBES FC in Kota Baru.

The 24-year-old scored in the ninth, 66th and 84th minutes while Hariri Ibrahim scored the other in the first minute.

Khairudin Ramli (76th and 87th) and Raim Azmi (90th) replied for the Kelantan club.

KL City Hall defeated Terengganu’s Hanelang 2-0 through efforts by Ikram Ibrahim (14th) and Syafiq Pauzee (59th) while Haziq Muizi Abdul’s goal in the 39th minute earned Felcra a 1-0 win over Kadazan Dusun Murut Malaysia (KDMM).

In Group B, leaders Sime Darby defeated Kuching FA 1-0 in Bukit Jelutong through Nazrul Kamaruzaman’s strike in the 18th minute.

Malacca Water Corporation Berhad (SAMB) are second with four points following a 2-0 win over Selangor Malays in Kuala Lumpur.

Shakir Samad (56th) and Asyraf Abdul Talib (90th) netted for the homesters.

PJ Rangers were held 0-0 by Terengganu City at Sultan Ismail Nasiruddin Shah Stadium.

TOMORROW — Group A: Hanelang v Shahzan Muda (Astaka Field, Kuala Berang), UKM v KL City Hall (UKM Mini Stadium), Felcra v MPKB-BRI UBES (UM Arena Stadium; 8.45pm), KDMM v MOF (Keningau Sports Complex Stadium; 8.15pm); Group B: SAMB v Kuching (Hang Tuah Stadium; 8.45pm), PJ Rangers v Selangor Malays (MBPJ Stadium; 8.45pm), Penjara v Terengganu City (Penjara Kajang Stadium) —