Selangor Champions League 2018 - The Contenders
It is that time of year, where the best of Selangor comes together to compete in this growing and prestigious football competition powered by Selangor Youth Community and Football Selangor. Inspired by His Royal Highness Raja Muda of Selangor. Which initiated all the way back in 2016. Since then the Selangor Champions League has accordingly and progressively grown to develop foundation football in Selangor Darul Ehsan.
This year the Selangor Champions League 2018 like last year, 2017. Will host 18 teams who earned their respective route to be apart of this year's edition.
Automatic qualification
Axis O2 FC - Reigning and defending Selangor Champions League champions. Qualified for the 2018 through the Klang Valley League Division One qualifiers against SOA FC. To the public who are wondering why do the reigning champions have to go through qualifications? This is because compared to registered professional football teams, having multiple assets and contracts, teams at the amateur and social levels in Malaysia are still at an infancy stage. Where the majority of teams are unsustainable, as well as players / management / team names often change. In light of that each team needs to prove the strength of their squad and through the same qualifying process every year to ensure the quality of the teams joining the SCL is at its highest level.
AZS FC - Champions of the Klang Valley League Cyberjaya. With tough competition from HFC and Ultimate FC. In the end, AZS FC earned their qualification after a hard fought season. This is AZS FC's second season in the Selangor Champions League, narrowly missed out on a spot in the quarterfinals. Can they fair better this year?
Hypernova FT - Earned their qualification, though the Selangor Social Premier League playoff campaign against ZM United and Dimmu Bangi. Their first time entrant in the Selangor Champions League. How far can they go?
Naga FC - Winners of the Prestige Cup. They faced fierce competition from Glory United and Level Up FC. Successfully defended the Prestige Cup on the final Matchday against Glory United. Naga FC, has successfully qualified for the Selangor Champions League since its inception in 2016.
NPNG FC - Another Selangor Champions League debutants. Worthy champions that earned and hailed from the Selangor Super League.
Paya Jaras FC - Claimed a hard earned victory against Klasiko FC on the final of the Kota Damansara Premier League. Putting past the ghost of the 2017 final of the Kota Damansara Premier League. Going forward into the Selangor Champions League for the first time.
Puchong Fuerza - Champions of the Puchong Community League, for the second year running. To note Puchong Fuerza chose to invoke their passage into the Selangor Champions League via automatic league qualification than the community club status program despite successfully meeting with Football Selangor's criteria.
Southern FC - Only securing their spot for the 2018 edition on the final day of the Setia Alam Football League. After a momentous challenge that came in the form of AU FC only on goal difference. Southern is only one of two teams that has consistently qualified for the Selangor Champions League since the inception. Only to be halted at the semi-final stage to the eventual champions, can they proceed further this time?
ZXIV FC - Champions of the Klang Valley Super League. Earned their spot on the final match-day, advanced as winners of the league with a point ahead of Cheras Raptors. Another debutant into the Selangor Champions League.
For the teams that have earned their respective qualifications through the automatic affiliate league of Football Selangor. Well done with your respective seasons, all the best with the preparations, and all the best in the upcoming edition of the Selangor Champions League!
Community Club Qualification
"After assessing all aspects and criteria set, now Selangor Football (FS) wishes to announce that all clubs under the Program Development Community Club are Atletico de Bukit Jelutong Club, Gombak FC, KV United, Shah Alam Antlers FC and Subang City FC have been eligible to play in the Selangor Champions League 2018
In addition, another team involved in the program is the Puchong Fuerza FC team that also complies with all the criteria set by FS. But they chose to use automatic slots after winning the Puchong Community League.
To comply with the terms set by the FS is not easy but all the involved clubs have been successful. So, FS congratulations to all the clubs
Hopefully after this, there will be more community teams involved with this program and further improve the quality of Selangor football community." -Football Selangor
Well done to the community teams! For achieving the respective criteria set by Football Selangor with merit! Looking forward to see all of them compete in this upcoming Selangor Champions League edition as well as to see all of them grow accordingly beyond the competition!
Playoff qualification
ABMK - Akademi Bola Sepak Merah Kuning (ABMK) secured a 2-0 win against Nadi TYD on the final playoff round during the evening of August 11, 2018. Debutant
Cheras Raptors - Achieved a hard fought victory against a tough FC Jelong Muda, 2-0 winners at the end of that evening. Cheras Raptors established in early 2018, have rapidly risen through the ranks in the Klang Valley Super League. Narrowly missed out automatic qualification against ZXIV. Now achieve qualification through the playoff qualification.
KRU FC - Kelab Raja Uda (KRU) FC progressed on the final round playoffs against BU Eagles, in a tight 3-2 win. This is the second time KRU is apart of the Selangor Champions League. First appearance in the inaugural season in 2016. Absent in 2017, now they are back after a hard fought campaign.
MPKJ The Lions - Champions of the South Selangor League faced immense competition during the playoff qualification. Ultimately they have managed the dream of playing in the Selangor Champions League beating Glorycops UFC, 1-0. Another Selangor Champions League debutant.
Overall
There you have it all 18 Competing Teams of the Selangor Champions League 2018 Edition! Everyone here at Padang Bola Sepak dot com would like to extend our collective well wishes to all of the teams and all the best in their respective campaign! See you next month at Stadium MP Subang Jaya, Selangor!