Courtesy: The Malay Mail

Futsal/National League: States taking the tourney seriously

by GHAZ RAMLI

Dec 20

SEVEN States are taking the first National Futsal League seriously as evident from the number of teams they have entered.

Besides Selangor and KL, Perlis, Kedah, Perak, Kelantan, Pahang and Johor have all fielded three teams each as allowed by the FA of Malaysia (FAM).

The inaugural tournament, divided into the northern, central, southern and eastern zone is scheduled to begin on Jan 6.

Thirty-three teams from eight States and other organisations have confirmed their participation.

With the sport gaining popularity, State FAs like Super League giants Perlis and Perak have taken the opportunity to field three teams each to maximise their chances of winning the trophy.

In the northern zone, Perlis and Kedah have fielded three teams each to challenge Penang who have two teams.

The central zone, the Klang Valley teams are expected to face stiff challenges from the teams from Perak.

In the southern zone, teams from the FA of Johor (JFA), the Johor Baru Municipal Council (MBJB), the AOB Teras Selatan and the JFA Jitu Jati will be competing for honours.

Meanwhile, in the eastern zone, Kelantan will have to fight for the top spot with Pahang as both State FAs have three teams each.

Sixty-six matches will be played in each zone in the first phase of the tournament.

Matches will be played on Sundays at Sports Planet Ampang (central zone), Sports Planet Penang (northern zone), Sukpa, Kuantan (eastern zone), and at Johor Baru City Hall (southern zone).

The top teams in each zone will qualify for the second phase, which is the National Club Championship (NCC).

The 16 qualifiers for the NCC will be divided into four groups. The top two sides in each group will qualify for the quarter-finals.



Posted by Luca Ranocchiari --> luca.ranocchiari@futsalplanet.com