Malaysia Super League for season 2007/2008 has ended. The FA of Malaysia (FAM) have decided to do away with away with foreign players for the 2009 season.
James, who managed to bagged 52 goals in 2007/2008 season in all competition holding the status as the top scorer, and hard-working and composure defender, Hugging will be joining America's Major League Soccer outfit San Jose Earthquake, while Martin is moving south to the Singapore S-League but it’s still a secret on which team that Nelson San Martin will be joining.
After 20 years Olumbumi Adigun, Peter Nikietin and Tibor Szaban remembered as Kedah football legend, Kedahan fans has set their heart to their new millennium heroes named Marlon Alex James, Nelson San Martin and Cornelius Bernard Hugging.
The Kedah FA president Datuk Seri Azizan Abdul Razak, who salutation the football leading actor at the Darulaman Stadium, chided the FAM for forcing Kedah to part ways with their foreigners.
“It is the other teams who had problems in either selecting good foreign players or paying their salaries.
“Kedah had no such issues with the imports. So why are we being made to suffer for the follies of others? Is it because the other teams could not find any other way to beat Kedah?,” asked Azizan, who is also the state Mentri Besar, to the thunderous applause from the Kedah supporters.
Coach Mohd Azraai Khor rewarded mark of respect to Kedah’s three foreign players after the team worked their way into the history books on Saturday night.
The Canaries became the first team to do double treble by defending the Malaysia Cup, Super League and FA Cup titles.
They completed their second treble with a hard-fought 3-2 victory over Selangor in the Malaysia Cup final at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil.
And Azraai could not hide his appreciation of St. Vincent and Grenadines’ duo Bernard Hugging and Marlon James and Chilean playmaker Nelson Martin, who was named Man-of-the-Match in the final.
“I don’t know what words to use to thank them for their contribution and effort in guiding Kedah into the Malaysian football history books. Our feat of winning six titles in two seasons is unbelievable.
“Without doubt, Kedah have the best three foreign players in Malaysia, and their services will be remembered in the history of Kedah football. Everyone here is sad to see them leave, and I wish them all the best with their future teams,” said Azraai after returning with the squad at the Sultan Abdul Halim Airport here yesterday.
anoyne know which club in SG will nelson play for?
Is it for sure that James and Huggins are going to the San Jose Earthquakes? Are they saying that themselves?
Jeff,
Its verbally said by Kedah coach Azraai Khor after Kedah won the Malaysia Cup last Saturday. And Marlon has said it publicly to ESPN Sporcenter (Malaysia Edition) few weeks ago that he and his friends Cornelius Bernard Hugging received an offer from MLS Club San Jose Earthquake.
It was a good buy from San Jose since Marlon out of contract on 31st of August and he scored 50 goals in all competition this season.
And more he was rank on 35th position as the best striker in the world according to IFFHS.
It was sad to see him leaving. But we will wish him best of luck in MLS
Thank you. I saw that ESPN segment on youtube, but I didn't know that the coach had said they were going to the Earthquakes AFTER the championship game. That's a great confirmation of what Earthquake fans have been hoping for.
The concern was the transfer window being closed in MLS on August 15th. If the coach has said on August 23rd that they are going, then something has been worked out in order for them to play in MLS.
Jeff,
Since Marlon and Hugging is out of contract, i don't see any problem of San Jose Earthquake to have them even it's out of transfer window. The question is will Marlon and Hugging eligible to play, or should they wait until the next transfer window open on January?
Or KFA (Kedah Football Assocation) and San Jose Earthquake has come out with mutual agreement behind the scene to allow San Jose to register Marlon and Hugging before transfer window close?
No worries Jeff. You wont regret having both of them in your team. They are dedicated players with high determination and hunger for success. ;)
First, why is this text black on black? I can't read a thing.
Second, I read that Huggin was offered a contract and will play in Singapore.
Third, the MLS transfer window is closed and the league office will probably not make an exception for this case.
I would love to see these guys play for San Jose Earthquakes, but I doubt it will happen.
jeff wrote
"Is it for sure that James and Huggins are going to the San Jose Earthquakes?"
This caught my eye because my name is James Huggins.
But Jeff meant James and Hugging.
James S. Huggins
www.JamesSHuggins.com
www.MyEphemerae.com
www.EclecticPower.com
...
anonymous,
i am sorry. that must be the template failed to load the background. it supposed to be black text on white background. may be next time you should try to refresh you browser.
JamesSHuggin,
nice name you have :D