Latest news with #A1SemiProLeague
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.
New Straits Times
16-06-2025
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Korea's FC Seoul Phoenix get nod for A1 Semi Pro League
KUALA LUMPUR: The A1 Semi Pro League will feature South Korean side FC Seoul Phoenix for the 2025-2026 season. Phoenix were one of the final four teams to complete the 16-club cast for the upcoming season. The other three are Kedah Darul Aman FC (KDA FC), Guar Syed Alwi FC (GSA FC) and UM-Damansara United, who had previously been granted conditional approvals. Amateur Football League (AFL) chairman Datuk Yusoff Mahadi said the three teams had submitted the required documents within the stipulated time frame to secure their places. "Kedah Darul Aman FC, Guar Syed Alwi FC, and FC Seoul Phoenix have all been officially confirmed for the A1 Semi Pro League 2025-2026," said Yusoff in a statement today (June 16). UM-Damansara United, who were initially placed on the waiting list alongside Ipoh City FC, also made the cut after successfully completing the vetting process. "UM-Damansara United's participation has been confirmed, bringing the total number of competing teams to 16. However, Ipoh City FC have decided to withdraw from the competition," he added. The AFL Board of Directors had earlier confirmed 12 clubs during their meeting on June 5, which includes returning sides such as Armed Forces FC, Manjung City FC, Imigresen FC II, Johor Darul Ta'zim II, Selangor FC II, Kelantan WTS FC and Kedah FA. Also in the mix are Machan FC, Kelantan Red Warriors FC, Bunga Raya FC, Malaysian University and the Perak FA (PAFA).
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.
