Table toppers Kelantan host Pahang in Kota Baru (8.45pm) tonight. The Steve Darby-led host look to defy all their supporters' sentiments, empty stadium and all, with a challenge from an infuriatingly inconsistent Pahang.
The home team has a strike force of Mohamed Ghaddar and Forkey Doe that is lethal, and a big test for the central defence pairing of Damion Stewart and Zesh Rehman.
The unfair advantage of "immunity" seemingly enjoyed by the Elephants (you know what I mean) will be tested. Stewart and Rehman have both accused Johor Darul Takzim's Argentinian pairing of Pablo Aimar and Luciano Figueroa of making racist remarks, and once again the FAM seem to be dilly-dallying with a decision.
The Disciplinary Committee of the FAM has to realise the importance of nipping issues in the bud. However, this is just another example of the professional game in Malaysia being run by amateurs.
Does anyone even doubt for a second that this situation will eventually drag out till May?
Well, perhaps because Pahang play JDT three times that month. Two mouth-watering FA Cup semi-final ties and a Super League clash! Watch this space.
On the subject of JDT, a big test awaits them in Terengganu with a clash against the second-placed Turtles in Kuala Terengganu tonight (8.45pm).
The home team has been coming along nicely and a big effort will be needed from the Southern Tigers if they are to leave the Sultan Ismail Nasiruddin Shah stadium with all three points.
Hopefully, there will be more intent and a better tactical approach as the last time out, JDT were left uninspired by the bench against Sime Darby, especially in the last 20 minutes.
Playing against 10 men inexplicably took the fire out of the Southern Tigers belly, which is not the ruthlessness that a team gunning for the Super League title needs.
And finally, Sarawak will have to show more discipline in defence after conceding two soft goals against T-Team. They host Singapore's Lions XII (8.45pm) in Kuching tonight, in what could be a good passing game.
The Singaporeans look neat and tidy on the ball, while Sarawak could be forced to play the same way at a slower tempo than they are accustomed to. This may give the advantage to Lions XII although Sarawak can, and will, try to emulate Stoke City at set pieces.
Clumsy Spurs fall at home to Benfica
So the Spurs go marching on with another shocking show, this time a 3-1 defeat at the hands of Benfica in the first leg of the UEFA Europa League Round of 16.
Let us first take a look at the team with the obviously dubious selection of Harry Kane to lead the front line. This young striker, unfortunately, is Championship material right now.
He may only be 20-years-old but being big and lumbering, and with a relatively poor touch for a striker, he is going to at best be another Nicklas Bendtner, but never a Zlatan Ibrahimovic. Then again, any poor soul who even attempts to reach the greatness that is Zlatan is fighting a losing battle.
The choice of Younes Kaboul as skipper on the night sent the wrong message and certainly zero respect from his teammates, but worst of all, the football from Spurs was limp.
The three goals conceded must be among the cheapest goals one will ever witness at White Hart Lane. A simple through ball leaving four defenders square and dead; two set piece deliveries into the box, and an irrational fear of body contact from the Spurs defenders and it was game over.
The positives were Cristian Eriksen, continuously growing into an even more refined footballer, and the growing awareness of how Andre Villas-Boas' decision-making in the transfer window was a losing gambit.
Tim Sherwood is now carrying the can, but it is a stinking can.
This is because even as he desperately tries to ensure European qualification at the very least for next season, with Everton and Manchester United breathing down their necks, it is sure to be a very interesting run-in this Premiership season.
Enjoy the weekend, with a reminder of a prayer for all aboard MH370. – March 15, 2014.
* This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insider.
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