Latest news with #A1Semi-ProLeague
New Straits Times
21-06-2025
- Sport
- New Straits Times
A1 League ready to step up
KUALA LUMPUR: Many feared that when the second-tier Premier League was scrapped three years ago, it would further erode Malaysian football development. That may not be the case. The signs so far are looking positive for the revamped domestic league structure. The 16-team A1 Semi Pro League for the 2025-2026 season will feature South Korea's FC Seoul Phoenix, Kedah FC, Johor Darul Ta'zim II, Selangor FC II, Kelantan WTS FC, Perak FA, Kedah FA and Kelantan Red Warriors. The Premier League was replaced by the A1 Semi-Pro League (which moved up from the third-tier) in 2022. Sports analyst Datuk Dr Pekan Ramli said while it is encouraging to see a healthy number of teams in the A1 Semi Pro League, strong enforcement and monitoring is needed. "The number of teams in the A1 Semi Pro League shows that it can be as exciting as the Super League, especially for the teams that failed to get a licence to play in the Super League," said Pekan. "If things go well in the A1 League, it can play a positive role in the Malaysian football structure in the absence of a second-tier competition after the cancellation of the Premier League. "Fans of the teams that are not playing in the Super League, can now support their teams in the A1 League and this can continue being a platform for the players as well." Pekan said although the A1 League is a semi-pro competition, proper monitoring is still needed to prevent issues of unpaid salaries. Last season, several teams were reportedly facing financial problems which resulted in poor performances in the A1 Semi-Pro League. "The AFL has its own licensing process which is less stringent compared to Super League licensing, so I believe it won't be too difficult for the teams," said Pekan. "Last season, we saw some teams starting well but ended up badly after facing financial issues. We cannot let this happen again this season, the monitoring of the team's finances must be strict and issues must be nipped in the bud."
The Sun
16-06-2025
- Sport
- The Sun
2025-2026 A1 Semi-Pro League to feature 16 teams
THE 2025-2026 A1 Semi-Pro League competition will see 16 teams participating compared to 15 last season. The increase in the number of teams follows the Amateur Football League's (AFL) confirmation of the four more teams: Kedah Darul Aman FC (KDA FC), Guar Syed Alwi (GSA FC), FC Seoul Phoenix, and UM-Damansara United. AFL chairman Datuk Mohd Yusoff Mahadi stated that KDA FC, GSA FC, and Seoul Phoenix were previously granted conditional approval and were required to fulfil several criteria and submit documents within the specified timeframe. He said the AFL also confirmed the participation of UM-Damansara United, which was previously placed on the waiting list along with Ipoh City FC. 'After going through the document review and criteria set just like other teams, UM- Damansara United was also confirmed to participate, bringing the total to 16 teams participating in the 2025-2026 A1 Semi Pro League. 'As for Ipoh City FC, the team has decided to withdraw from the competition,' he said in a statement today. Previously, the AFL announced that 12 teams had successfully confirmed their participation for the upcoming season. The teams are Armed Forces FC, Manjung City FC, Immigration FC II, Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT) II, Selangor FC II, Kelantan WTS FC, Kedah FA, Machan FC, Kelantan Red Warriors FC, Bunga Raya FC, Malaysian University and the Perak Football Association (PAFA). For the record, Melaka FC was crowned champions last season, while Immigration FC came in second place, thus qualifying on merit for the 2025-2026 Super League.
Barnama
16-06-2025
- Sport
- Barnama
2025-2026 A1 Semi-Pro League To Feature 16 Teams
KUALA LUMPUR, June 16 (Bernama) -- The 2025-2026 A1 Semi-Pro League competition will see 16 teams participating compared to 15 last season. The increase in the number of teams follows the Amateur Football League's (AFL) confirmation of the four more teams: Kedah Darul Aman FC (KDA FC), Guar Syed Alwi (GSA FC), FC Seoul Phoenix, and UM-Damansara United. AFL chairman Datuk Mohd Yusoff Mahadi stated that KDA FC, GSA FC, and Seoul Phoenix were previously granted conditional approval and were required to fulfil several criteria and submit documents within the specified timeframe. bootstrap slideshow He said the AFL also confirmed the participation of UM-Damansara United, which was previously placed on the waiting list along with Ipoh City FC. "After going through the document review and criteria set just like other teams, UM- Damansara United was also confirmed to participate, bringing the total to 16 teams participating in the 2025-2026 A1 Semi Pro League. "As for Ipoh City FC, the team has decided to withdraw from the competition," he said in a statement today. Previously, the AFL announced that 12 teams had successfully confirmed their participation for the upcoming season. The teams are Armed Forces FC, Manjung City FC, Immigration FC II, Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT) II, Selangor FC II, Kelantan WTS FC, Kedah FA, Machan FC, Kelantan Red Warriors FC, Bunga Raya FC, Malaysian University and the Perak Football Association (PAFA). For the record, Melaka FC was crowned champions last season, while Immigration FC came in second place, thus qualifying on merit for the 2025-2026 Super League.
The Sun
04-06-2025
- Business
- The Sun
It's A1 Semi-Pro League for Perak FA next season
THE Perak Football Association (Perak FA) have confirmed that they will join the A1 Semi-Pro League, which is expected to kick off this August. The announcement was made by its president Datuk Mohd Azhar Jamaluddin in a statement on Perak FA's official Facebook page today, following a meeting with Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad, yesterday. He said the Bos Gaurus line-up will consist of players from the Perak Malaysia Games (SUKMA) squad as well as several senior players who previously played in the Super League. 'The Menteri Besar also expressed strong support for Perak FA's efforts to rebuild from the ground up and to provide opportunities for young local talents to shine on a bigger stage. 'He also advised us to start with a solid, well-organised foundation, centred on the development of homegrown talents,' he said. Mohd Azhar said that besides competing in the A1 Semi-Pro League, the association will also focus on rebuilding the state's youth and feeder teams, as well as grassroots-level competitions. 'This includes the restructuring of teams for the 2026 President's Cup and Youth Cup, focusing on the development of the SUKMA team, in addition to organising state-level leagues such as Liga Perak Sejahtera 2030, the State Amateur Club League, the IPTA/IPTS Perak League, and the District Integrity League (Under-17),' he said. He expressed hope that these efforts would contribute towards restoring the glory of Perak football. On May 22, Amateur Football League (AFL) chairman, Datuk Mohd Yusoff Mahadi welcomed the participation of Perak FA and Kedah Darul Aman FC (KDA FC) in the A1 League following both teams' failure to obtain a National Licence to compete in the Super League next season.
The Star
27-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
Perak start anew by competing in A1 Semi-Pro League next season
PETALING JAYA: Perak will compete in the A1 Semi-Pro League next season, joining their northern neighbours Kedah, who have also pledged to do so. After the previous owners said they would not compete in any competition due to finances, the Perak Football Association (Pafa) said they would chart a fresh course with renewed energy and a clear vision to reclaim their proud legacy in Malaysian football. On May 23, Kedah and Perak failed to obtain the National Licence required for participation in the 2025-2026 Super League season. Pafa's immediate focus now lies in assembling a competitive team, with the Malaysia Games (Sukma) Perak squad forming the backbone of this rebuilding phase. This team will serve as the foundation for Perak's return to prominence in the domestic scene. Plans are under way to compete in AFL-sanctioned leagues as a starting point, alongside long-term preparations for Sukma 2026, the President's Cup 2026, and Youth Cup 2026 campaigns. Now standing as the central pillar of football in the state, Pafa acknowledge the disappointment felt by fans in recent years, but calls for unity and belief. 'This is the time to come together, rebuild, and plant the seeds of renewed hope,' said Azhar. 'We don't promise miracles, but we promise extraordinary commitment, perseverance, and an unwavering fighting spirit. For the crest, for the pride, and Perak Darul Ridzuan, so stay with us.'
