MPL '13: Season ready to blast-off

WILL BE CLOSE: Premier League gets things going with several glamour clubs in action

THE Malaysian Premier League has never quite managed to capture the public's imagination but that could change this year with the kick-off today featuring several glamour teams.

Kedah, Sabah and Sarawak will all be seeking a quick return to the Super League and with Sime Darby and Johor adding reinforcements, the title race in the second-tier will be one to watch out for.

Not since 2008 has the Premier League title been decided on the final day when Kuala Muda Naza beat KL Plus 3-2 to finish four points clear.

Armed Forces ran away with the championship last year, finishing eight points ahead of Pahang to reduce the Premier League to a side show.

Likewise, PKNS romped to a nine-point victory in 2011 over Sarawak, who in turn ended nine points ahead of Police.

Felda United won the 2010 title by two points over Sabah but they had settled the issue with a match to spare while Young Tigers finished five points ahead of Kuala Terengganu T-Team in 2009.

Sime Darby, who finished one point shy of a promotion playoff place and reached the FA Cup final in 2012, have a far different squad this year which is no less competitive as shown by a 4-1 win over Kelantan in a pre-season friendly.

"We have changed many players from last season's squad but we believe we can still challenge for the title. It will not be easy as there are many strong teams in the league this year," said Sime Darby coach Ismail Zakaria at his squad's unveiling recently.

Johor, who were relegated from the Super League in 2010, surprised many when they beat star-studded neighbours Darul Takzim to win a quadrangular tournament recently.

But having retained their two imports, the Brazilian Andrezinho and Argentine Muriel Orlando, Johor should rank as a serious title contender.

Kedah FA

Kedah have re-signed their former Chilean player Nelson San Martin and scored a coup of sorts by persuading national players Baddrol Bakhtiar and Khyril Muhymeen Zambri to stay though they lost Amar Rohidan and goalkeeper Helmi Eliza Elias to Felda.

Sabah, under new coach David McCreery of Northern Ireland, hired former Wales international defender Rhys Weston and Malian Koh Traore while Croatian midfielder Ivan Babic joined Guy Bwelle of Cameroon at Sarawak.

The pick of the opening round matches is Johor's home tie against Sime Darby while Sabah entertain newly-promoted FAM League champions Public Service Commission (SPA) at Likas.

Sarawak travel to Kangar to face Perlis, who should have been playing in the third-tier but for the withdrawals of Muar Municipal Council and Universiti Sains Malaysia creating a vacancy.

Kedah travel to the Hang Tuah Stadium in Malacca to take on another promoted side in Universiti Teknologi Mara while Kuala Lumpur, relegated last season, face Pos Malaysia in Selayang without their two imports from Slovakia after failing to register them on time.

Read more: Season ready to blast-off - Soccer - New Straits Times http://www.nst.com.my/sports/soccer/season-ready-to-blast-off-1.197312#ixzz2K0Iisnyy