The Red Warriors vs Southern Tigers.

Credit to the photographer of Kelantan FA

-Many compared this game like Barcelona vs Manchester City. Why? Most of the Kelantan FA players are indeed home grown like: Khairul Fahmi Che Mat, Mohd Badri Radzi, Norfarhan, Shakir and others. Culturally they different than the rest of Peninsular Malaysia. Kinda like the Catalan in Spain. While Johor Darul Takzim FC with their new ownership under the Tuanku Mahkota Johor they went and spent brought in many good players across Malaysia and brought in two top imports from Europe. Thus they are considered to be Manchester City of Malaysia.

-There are some don't see it that way. They see it as Kelantan FA vs Johor Darul Takzim FC. Two Malaysian teams with two different philosophy both on and off the pitch. Clashed in the round three match of the Malaysian Super League. The match build up to this game was immense. Did it fit the bill of being a five star game? Close but not cigar. It was a good game to both sets of fans and to the neutrals. Keep in mind this is just the first of many encounters between the two. The 2013 season is a long one.

The Starting eleven. Credit to Astro Arena for this.

- Safee Sali gets his first start for the Southern Tigers. In that many were surprise that former La Liga top scorer Dani Guiza was dropped to the bench. Head Coach Fandi Ahmad starts with former Harimau Muda A goalkeeper Zamir Selamat.

- For Kelantan it was expected Rizal Fahmi to be the obvious choice start at center back with Obinna but Head Coach Bojan Hoddak decided to give youngster Nik Shahrul Azmi who opted to stay with Kelantan after being approach by Harimau Muda A, to start at Center-back for The Red Warriors.



-Opening half of the game started out all Johor, seemly wanting to announce they arrival to the league by beating the current, reigning and defending champion. After a Spectacular effort by Safee Sali at a chance on goal met an even fantastic save by his national team mate Khairul Fahmi Che Mat. Even the commentator said: Tangan Apek walaupun berinai tapi masih kuat.

-After 20 minutes of the game, Kelantan seems to have a grip on the game with Shakir mopping up the midfield and Badri Radzi starting to influence the game. After an opportunity for Johor to take the lead the Kelantan skipper picked out his mate Nofarhan who made a 25 yard dash with Keita Mandjou and Indra Putra coming in to support. He took the opportunity to open the score with a beauty of a long range strike on goal 1-0 Kelantan.

- After the goal fireworks were exploded from a few Kelantan fans which disappointed most fans watching meaning the game has to be hold for the moment. Game resume and it's back to business. (About fan discipline will be written soon.)

- The first half ended with Kelantan controlling the midfield. As Johor's only way to get the goal was via the wings.

- Final 45 minutes begin with Kelantan finding that killer second goal that could put this contest to bed. Johor brought on record signing Dani Guiza on to get the goal. And he did just that. Over the game, Johor have been getting free kicks around many dangerous position but haven't converted any. Up steps Dani Guiza with a curler passed by Goalkeeper Khairul Fahmi Che Mat

- The Final 20 minutes was a contant back and fourth with both teams pressing to get the winner. On the 85th Minute Fandi Ahmad decided a point is sufficient.


So It ends.

• - 1-1 draw. The away team are happier with the point. The home team will reflect on the performance as a way to build up their season retaining the league tittle. 

• - The partnership of Nik Shahrul and Obinna was indeed interesting in a good way. Both players complemented each other. Something to build on over the season. Johor's Muslim Ahmad was kinda of the unsung hero of the Johor defense he did kept Keita Mandjou under control and did marshall the line well. Aidil Zafuan needs to work on his communication skill much better. There's haven't been any improvement to his game since the AFF Suzuki Cup and that is worrying.

• - The trio of Badri Radzi, Norfarhan and Shakir continues to impress Malaysian football fans. It is a conundrum why National Head Coach K. Rajagopal haven't called Badri Radzi and Norfarhan up to the national set up. Especially Badri Radzi stamping his authority better than current National and Johor DT FC Captain Safiq Rahim.

• - The Quartet of Zaquan, Safee, Norshahrul and Guiza did showed determination to get the win last night. The three Malaysians do have a point to prove in this 2013 season. After watching them play last night they will have a good season.

In the final moments of the game the referee did pre-maturely ended the game. The players from both sides when together and pled their case to the referee to finish off the remaining 20 seconds or so. This made some happy to see players from both sets wanting to finish off the remaining seconds of the contest properly.

Another note during the game Norshahrul did got the heated reception by his former fans. An unnamed source stated that before and after the game the fans did give a warm reception back and hoping that he can end his career back in Kelantan sometime in the future.

Malaysian football fans can't wait for the return game at Stadium Larkin. The stakes will be much higher in the upcoming clash.