Selangor FC successfully defended AFC Champions League 2 (ACL2) slot for the 2025/2026 season after once again maintaining their second place in the 2024/25 Super League with a 7-0 win against Kelantan Darul Naim (KDN) FC yesterday.

According to statistics, this season the Red Giants squad managed to book a slot in the ACL2 earlier, with three matches remaining in the 2024/25 Super League compared to last season, one match. An achievement to be proud of.

According to Katsuhito Kinoshi, Head Coach of Selangor FC, tonight's achievement is the result of the team's sacrifices.

"I always tell in press conferences that the team's target is to get second place in the 2024/25 Super League. However, just talking about it is easy but ensuring that we do not lose and remain highly motivated is very difficult. The players and staff have given their one hundred percent effort to be at this level. This victory and qualification are the result of all their efforts. I appreciate their sacrifices,” he said 

From yesterday’s #KDNSFC match, several important things can be seen, such as:-

The Rise of Faisal Halim

The wait to shout ‘Si’ with Faisal Halim back finally happened after he managed to score his first goal in the 13th minute yesterday, since returning from the acid attack he suffered. Yesterday was the most memorable match for him because not only that one goal, he managed to add two more goals in the 45+2nd and 66th minutes, making it his first hat-trick with Selangor FC.

His unyielding nature was praised by Katsuhito Kinoshi, Head Coach of Seangor FC, “Mickey (Faisal Halim) always gives one hundred percent in training and matches. Apart from that, his unyielding attitude also needs to be praised. He always came to me, saying he needed more playing time and I said we would slowly get to that level. Finally yesterday I decided to put him in the starting lineup. He managed to prove his ability but needs to continue to give his best in the next match. He is the best example for if you give your best in training sessions and remain highly motivated even though you don't have much playing time, your time will come. I am very satisfied with his performance.”

Hopefully this will be a great starting point for Mickey to continue to find his rhythm and return to play like Faisal Halim that we know before.

Mukhairi Ajmal's hat-trick assist

Coming as a substitute in the 53rd minute of the match, Mukhairi Ajmal managed to make a name for himself as an 'assist' for three consecutive goals as soon as he entered the field; the 54th and 56th minute goals for Harith Haiqal and the 65th minute hat-trick goal for Faisal Halim. He has indirectly added strength to the attack with the advantages he has.

Quentin Cheng, Harith Haiqal and Izwan Yuslan added personal goals

These three players from the Selangor FC development squad continue to prove themselves on the Super League stage from season to season. Quentin Cheng is certainly one of the local players who has performed brilliantly this season, he managed to score an absolutely amazing goal yesterday in the 31st minute after receiving a long pass from Nooa Laine. In addition, Harith Haiqal's performance was also no less amazing this season, he managed to score two goals in a row through Mukhairi Ajmal's passes in the 54th and 56th minutes. Meanwhile, Izwan Yuslan, the youngest player in the team, in an effort to make a name for himself, managed to score his fourth senior goal in the 72nd minute, as the closing goal of the #KDNSFC match.

The success of the #KDNSFC match and qualifying for ACL2 for two consecutive seasons is certainly the result of the cooperation of everyone including the coaching staff, officials, players and also the supporters.

The Selangor FC management would like to express our gratitude to the supporters who joined the Iftar Muhibah, a breaking of the fast event with orphans organised before the match started yesterday, as well as for the support you gave.

Next, the Selangor FC squad will fly to Sarawak for the third-final match of the 2024/25 Super League competition against Kuching City FC on March 16 at the Sarawak State Stadium at 9:15 pm.

Demi Kebanggaan!