DEFENDING champions Selangor returned to their winning ways with a crucial 2-0 away victory over Perlis while in the east coast derby, Kelantan and Terengganu drew 1-1 in Kota Baru in the Super League yesterday.

After a drab first half in Kangar, Safee Sali and Fitri Shazwan put a smile on Selangor coach K. Devan with superb strikes in the 63rd and 76th minutes respectively.

In Kota Baru, Kelantan captain Mohd Badri Radzi was on target after striking, off a pass from Nurul Azwan Roya, past Terengganu goalkeeper Sharbinee Allawee in the 35th minute.

But Terengganu shocked the Malaysia Cup champions through Marzuki Yusoff's venomous effort in the 68th minute.

Negri Sembilan lead the league standings after recording their second victory in as many matches by overcoming T-Team 3-1 in Paroi.

At the Shah Alam Stadium, Young Tigers 'A' underlined their credentials as a league favourite through substitute Izzaq Faris Ramlan's brace to secure a come-from-behind 3-1 win over Pahang.

Pahang shocked the Tigers with an early strike in the third minute. The speedy Alafi Mahmud took advantage of Tigers' sleepy defence as he left them trailing inside the penalty box before passing the ball, from an acute angle, to Famirul Asraf Sayuti, who easily tucked the ball into the goalmouth.

Tigers A controlled possession in the first half but failed to take advantage, despite having several goalscoring opportunities.

The young side continued their momentum after the restart and deservingly scored the equaliser through Izzaq's header in the 51st minute.

It inspired Tigers A as they surged ahead with a series of threatening attempts which forced Pahang to play defensively.

Tigers A were finally rewarded when Izzaq scored his second of the match from close range in the 62nd minute. Fandi Othman extended Tigers A's lead in the 87th minute from the penalty spot after Izzaq was brought down in the box by Pahang's Saiful Nizam.

In Cheras, Kuala Lumpur ended an 11-game winless home run since last May with a gritty 1-0 win over Sabah.

The first half was a dire affair with each side only managing one goalscoring chance each.

The homesters broke the deadlock in the 54th minute through Yong Kuong Yong from an acute angle aided by Sabah keeper Azizon's fumbling handling. Sabah protested the goal as they believed the ball had crossed over the line when Ahmad Hazwan swung in a deep cross to Kuong Yong.

In a Premier League match, Farizzuan Azhar struck a brace as Young Tigers 'B' made a winning start to their campaign by coming from behind to beat SDM Navy 2-1 at the Selayang Stadium.

MIDFIELDER G. Mahathevan and forward Shahrizal Mohd Saad are the two uncapped players named in Malaysia's 24-man national squad who will start their preparation for the qualifying round of the 2014 World Cup Finals today.

The lanky Mahathevan, who plays for Negri Sembilan, had a brief stint with the national Under-23 squad in 2009 but was dropped from the Laos Sea Games team.

Shahrizal, a Johor FC recruit, had a stint with the national junior squad a few years ago but was not considered then because of injury.

National coach K. Rajagobal recalled Mahathevan and Shahrizal as he wants to gauge their progress.

"It is our first training session of the year and my goal now is to look at as many players as possible. I want to see whether they can fit into my game plan," said Rajagobal.

"Of course, we need to start preparing early for the World Cup Qualifiers as it will be a tough event. Currently, I have a large pool of quality players in the squad especially from the AFF Cup winning squad."

Rajagobal hopes to gauge his players, especially the new ones, in the 'A' international friendly against Hong Kong on Feb 9 before the first phase of centralised training ends the following day.

"We hope to play an international match at least once a month.

"We need to have continuity throughout the year to give me the opportunity to gauge my boys from time to time," added Rajagobal.

Last month, Malaysia won the AFF Cup for the first time since the tournament was introduced in 1996.

Rajagobal, who was in charge of the 'Harimau Muda' squad since they were formed in 2006, has again opted for a young set of players.

The six players from the Young Tigers 'A' (national Under-21) team in the training squad are midfielder K. Gurusamy, striker Izzaq Faris Ramlan and defenders Mahali Jasuli, Mohd Muslim Ahmad, Mohd Fadhli Shas and Mohd Faizal Mohd.

Players who starred in the AFF tournament also won places. Among them are Safee Sali, Norsharul Idlan Talaha (strikers), Safiq Rahim, Mohd Amirulhadi Zainal, S. Kunanlan and Mohd Ashaari Shamsuddin (midfielders).

Goalkeeper Khairul Fahmi Che Mat, who was outstanding in the AFF tournament, will vie for the No 1 jersey with seniors Farizal Marlias and Sharbinee Allawee.
Making their return from injuries are centre-back Aidil Zafuan Abdul Radzak and striker Ahmad Fakri Saarani.

Kelantan striker S. Chanturu may not report for national training as he is still carrying an injury.

The training squad: Amar Rohidan, Mohamad Azmi Muslim, Mohd Sabre Mat Abu (Ked), Amirulhadi Zainal, Mohd Asraruddin Putra, Safee Mohd Sali, Safiq Rahim (Sel), Ahmad Fakri Saarani, G. Mahathevan, Aidil Zafuan Abd Razak, Farizal Marlias, S. Kunanlan (NS), Ashaari Samsudin, Sharbinee Allawee (Ter), S. Chanturu, Norshahrul Idlan Talaha, Khairul Fahmi Che Mat (Kel), K. Gurusamy,Izzaq Faris Ramlan, Mahalli Jasuli, Muslim Ahmad, Mohd Fadhli Mohd Shas, Mohd Faizal Muhamad (Young Tigers), Shahrizal Mohd Saad (Johor FC).
FIXTURE - FEB 9: Malaysia v Hong Kong (8.45pm; KLFA Stadium, Cheras).