SAFA Kota Belud win AJFC Malaysia League 2019 Sabah region
KOTA KINABALU: Putting on a defensive formation helped SAFA Kota Belud overcome the interestingly named, Karamunich Junior 1-0 in the final of the Allianz Junior Football Camp (AJFC) Malaysia League 2019, Sabah Region at Stadium UMS, here last weekend.
After slotting in an early goal from Mohd Haikal in the 7th minute, Kota Belud reverted from an attacking 4-3-3 formation to a more defensively shaped 4-4-2 to counter the marauding attackers from Karamunich Junior.
In fact, the team were so stretched that a full complement of substitutes came on the field in the second half.
Coach Romzi Ramlee said his team’s early goal altered his tactics which saw him adding on a defensive midfielder to help his four-man defence.
“When we scored the early goal, Karamunich started attacking more and we had to change tactics to a more defensive formation. I would like to thank my players for following instructions as our early attacking efforts paid off,” said Romzi. Kota Belud also picked up the Best Goalkeeper and Most Valuable Player awards.
Meanwhile, in a thrilling penalty shoot-out for third and fourth placing, Sipitang Star edged out last year’s champions, JJFC Tenom 43 after the match ended in a scoreless draw after full time.
In fact, Tenom had a chance to clinch the match in normal time but Dannelson Gulani’s penalty kick was saved.
Following the final, Sabah named their best 18 players who will represent the region in the Grand Finals at the Arena Majlis Perbandaran Subang Jaya (MPSJ), Subang Jaya from July 4 - 6.
At the Grand Finals, the players will be looking to impress AJFC Malaysia League selection panel headed by K. Gunalan to become one of 10 players selected to participate in the Allianz Explorer Camp – Football Edition in Singapore from July 23 - 26.
In Singapore, the players will face their final test. Only two Malaysians will be selected to join the Allianz Explorer Camp – Football Edition in Munich, Germany from August 22 27 and train with FC Bayern Munich’s youth coaches at the team’s training ground at Säbener Strasse.
Top 18 Players for Sabah are as follows: Goalkeepers Amir Jef (TABS Bandaraya), Frealrejul Doumi (SAFA Kota Belud); defenders Dino Baggio (JJFC Tenom), Mohammad Iqbal (Karamunich Junior), Jefriko Tapion (JJFC Tenom), Mohammad Ad Yusri (SAFA Kota Belud), Delvy Madin (Selaping Youth), Danish Denal (SAFA Kota Belud)
midfielders - Dyrull Hazamie (Karamunich Junior), Muhammad Danish (Sipitang Star), Mohd Aiddil (SAFA Kota Belud), Raulindo Ngonzalos (JJFC Tenom), Muhammad Idzrie (Karamunich Junior); strikers - Rezjhony Mariyam (JJFC Tenom), Jeremy Jerom (JJFC Tenom), Mohd Faiz (SAFA Kota Belud), Dannelson Gulani ((JJFC Tenom), Azamie Adizal (SAFA Putatan).
AJFC was launched in Malaysia in 2012 and is opened to aspiring footballers aged between 14 and 16 years old.
To keep up to date with the AJFC Malaysia League 2019, visit the official website allianzfootball.com.my or follow Allianz Malaysia’s Facebook and Instagram page: facebook.com/AllianzMalaysia and instagram.com/ allianzmalaysia.