Kedah striker Khyril Muhymeen (left) and Selangor’s Khairul Anuar Baharom vie for the ball in their Charity Shield match at the Darulaman Stadium in Alor Star yesterday. Selangor won 4-1. — Pic: SHAHRIZAL MD NOORKedah striker Khyril Muhymeen (left) and Selangor’s Khairul Anuar Baharom vie for the ball in their Charity Shield match at the Darulaman Stadium in Alor Star yesterday. Selangor won 4-1. — Pic: SHAHRIZAL MD NOOR
GOALKEEPER Mohd Helmi Eliza was again at the centre of attention -- for the wrong reasons -- as treble champions Kedah suffered an embarassing 4-1 defeat to Selangor in the Charity Shield clash at the Darulaman Stadium last night.
While Kedah were expected to struggle following the departure of foreigners Marlon Alex James, Bernard Huggins and Nelson San Martin who gave them so much potency last season, coach Azraai Khor Abdullah must have been shocked by his team's performance.
The worst was Mohd Helmi as he carried his Asean Championship form into last night's match. He looks to be suffering from a lack of confidence and it was made worse when Azraai, left with no choice, substituted him in the 37th minute.
The Kedah fans who flocked to the stadium would have come expecting yet another dominant show from their team, especially as they will be defending two consecutive trebles this season.
The unexpected happened instead as Selangor took only three minutes to go into the lead through Amri Yahyah's freekick. It was well struck but Mohd Helmi looked to have positioned himself poorly.
It was a dream start for Selangor and new coach K. Devan and the early goal boosted their appetite as they attacked in waves.
The Kedah fans were silenced as it was a long time since any team had gone to Darulaman Stadium and dominated.
Kedah were wobbling and it was apparent that they are not the same team they were with the three foreigners in the side and Selangor's aggression paid off in the 32nd minute, though it was more of a gift from Mohd Helmi.
Debutant Zamer Zainun was the scorer as his shot from 30 metres saw Mohd Helmi failing to hold cleanly and to the horror of the Kedah fans, the ball sailed into the net.
Three minutes later, Selangor were three-up as Amri headed in a Surendran freekick as Mohd Helmi watched helplessly.
Azraai had had enough as he took off Mohd Helmi and sent on Muhammad Al-Hafiz Hamzah.
But it didn't get any better in the second half as Selangor were intent on humiliating Kedah further and continued to pressure.
Kedah's frustration was beginning to show and in the 52nd minute, Mohd Farizal Rozali was sent off for a late challenge on Selangor keeper Hamsani Ahmad.
Kedah's chances were few and far in between and Kyril Muhymeen should have done better when V. Thirumurugan sent in a cross but he failed to connect.
If Kedah were failing to convert their chances, Selangor seemed to be waltzing through every time they ventured forward and national striker Safee Sali embarassed Kedah further when he scored from 15 metres in the 58th minute after a solo run.
Down to 10 men, all Kedah could do was try to minimise the damage, which they did, and Kyril even gave them a consolation goal in the 89th minute but it was too little, too late and Azraai will surely know that his team have their work cut out for them this season.
For Selangor, having played second fiddle to the northerners last season, 2009 promises to be better.
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