KUALA LUMPUR: Selangor became the most successful team in the Malaysia Premier Futsal League (MPFL) after beating Pahang Rangers 2-1 in extra time to clinch their fourth title at the Selangor Sports Complex in Shah Alam on Saturday.
Syahir Iqbal Khan Akbar Khan struck the winner in the 50th minute after Marlon Oliveira’s opener in the 47th minute was cancelled out by Razin A Rahim a minute later.
Selangor forced extra time by winning the second leg 5-2 in regulation time, overturning their 4-3 defeat in the first leg in Kuantan last week.
Under the two-legged final format, the championship is decided on points rather than aggregate goals, with three points awarded for a win and one for a draw.
With both teams winning one leg apiece, they finished level on three points, forcing extra time to determine the champions.
Syahir scored twice in the eighth and 10th minutes, while Khairul Effendy also netted a brace in the 10th and 23rd minutes. Evandro Borges added another in the 14th minute to give Selangor their 5-2 victory at the end of normal time.
Felipe de Souza scored both goals for Pahang Rangers in the 17th and 40th minutes, but the visitors could not find a way past Selangor in extra time.
Syahir emerged as the hero, completing his hat-trick with the winner to spark celebrations among the home supporters and deny Pahang Rangers their first league title.
The triumph capped a dominant campaign for Edgar Baldasso’s men, who won 19 of their 20 matches this season.
Their only defeat came in the first leg of the final against Pahang Rangers, ending a run of 16 consecutive victories. Selangor had finished the league phase eight points clear at the top of the standings.
Defending champions Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) failed to reach the final after losing to Pahang Rangers, but finished second in the league standings.
Selangor’s fourth championship cements their status as the most successful club in Malaysian futsal’s top flight.