Melaka United F.C.

Melaka United

Full name	Melaka United Football Club
Nickname(s)	Hang Tuah Sang Kancil (Mousedeer)
Short name	MUFC
Founded	1924; 97 years ago (1924)
Ground	Hang Jebat Stadium
Capacity	40,000
Owner	KenTeam Group (70%) MUSA (30%)
CEO	Justin Lim
Head coach	Zainal Abidin Hassan
League	Malaysia Super League
2021	Malaysia Super League, 9th of 12
Website	Club website
Home colours Away colours Third colours
Current season

Melaka United Football Club (/məˈlɑːkə/) is a Malaysian professional football club based in Melaka that competes in the Malaysia Super League. They were owned by KenTeam Group which is one of nitrile glove producer in Malaysia. Previously, the club's home ground since then has been Hang Tuah Stadium before moving to Hang Jebat Stadium in Paya Rumput / Krubong in 1924. The club represents the state of Malacca in Malaysian football competitions. They currently play in the top division in Malaysian football, the Malaysia Super League after back-to-back promotions as champion of the 2015 Malaysia FAM League and 2016 Malaysia Premier League.^[1][2][3]

The club was formerly referred to as Malacca or officially as Malacca Amateur FA and then Malacca FA before being rebranded in August 2013 as Melaka United which has been used since the 2014 season.^[4][5] The club's current nickname is Hang Tuah, the name being synonymous with strength and intelligence.

Melaka United's regular kit colours are green and white for shirts, shorts and socks. The club's current crest has been used since March 2014 which based from older crest with slight modern changes in design and wording.

Club licensing regulations[]

2018 season[]

• This club had obtained the FAM Club License to played in 2018 Malaysia Super League season.

2019 season[]

• This club had obtained the FAM Club License to played in 2019 Malaysia Super League season.
• This club had obtained the AFC Club License and is eligible to played either 2019 AFC Champions League or 2019 AFC Cup if qualified on merit.

History[]

Origins[]

Football has been played in Malaya for a long years. Malacca has sent a football team to play in Malaya Cup since its inaugural season in 1921.^[6] In 1924, the team has been registered and now managed by the newly formed governance body of Malacca football, the Malacca Amateur Football Association (MAFA).^[7] Since then, the football team has been competing in Malaya Cup consistently.

The era of amateur football league[]

In 1979, the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) changed the format of Piala Malaysia when they introduced the league stage that acts as the qualifying round for the knockout stage of Piala Malaysia.^[8][9] When it began, it was intended primarily as a qualifying tournament for the final knock-out stages of the Piala Malaysia where teams compete in a one-round league before advanced to the knock-out stage.^[8]

The football league in Malaysia has only officially started in 1982 after the introduction of league trophy for the league winners, which the league has been known as Liga Malaysia.^[10][11] Malacca football team continue to compete in the league and has become the champion of the league during its second season in 1983 which has been the only time the Malacca team become a champion of the top-tier league in Malaysian football.

The era of semi-pro football league[]

Over the years, the league competition has gained important stature in its own right. From 1982 until 1988 the league is an amateur status continue its purpose as qualifying round for Piala Malaysia and only in 1989 it is changes to a new format as Liga Semi-Pro (MSPFL) was introduced by FAM as a 'halfway house' towards full professional status. The inaugural season of MSPFL consisted of nine teams in Division I and eight teams in Division II with total of 17 teams participated.^[12] Malacca has been put in Division II for 1989 season. Malacca compete in 1992 season in Division II.

Era of professional football[]

MSPFL was the nation's top-tier league until it was succeeded by the formation of Malaysian first professional football league, the Liga Perdana (1994–97) in 1994 by Football Association of Malaysia. In its inaugural season 16 teams competing in a single league. The teams were based from all states in Malaysia including Malacca, Kuala Lumpur and addition of two foreign teams, Singapore and Brunei.^[13]

In 1998, Liga Perdana was divided into two divisions consist of Liga Perdana 1 and Liga Perdana 2 (Liga Perdana 1 and Liga Perdana 2 in Malay).^[14][15] During 1998, Liga Perdana 1 consist of 12 teams while Liga Perdana 2 had 8 teams.^[14] Malacca competes in Liga Perdana 2 from 1998 until 2000 before achieving promotion to Liga Perdana 1 for 2001 season.^[16]

At this time the league still consist of semi-pro team where each team was allowed to register 25 players where 12 players must be a professional for Liga Perdana 1 and a minimum of six professional players in Liga Perdana 2.^[14]

Malacca competes in Liga Perdana 1 from 2001 until 2003.^[17][18] Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) decided to privatise the league for 2004 season onwards where Liga Super was formed.

Teams in Liga Perdana 1 and Liga Perdana 2 was then was put through a qualification and playoff to be promoted into Liga Super. Malacca failed to qualify and was put into now a new second-tier league Liga Premier for the 2004 season.^[19]

Playing in Malaysia Premier League[]

The club has been in an up and down performance in Malaysia Premier League since the league inception in 2004 where they played for three seasons and was promoted to top-tier league, Malaysia Super League.^[20][21][22]

Brief year in Malaysia Super League[]

After a successful season in second division, the club has been promoted to the top-tier division, the Liga Super for 2006-07 season.^[23] The club has splurged a big budget to buy players while removing majority of players and officials of previous winning season in order to create a more competitive team in the league during its first season in top league after a long years in lower division. However, the club has not been performing as expected as it has been relegated in their first season.

Back to second division[]

A slump in performance has cause the club struggling and fighting for relegation in their three years season of Malaysia Premier League from 2008 until 2010 season before the dark era as the club has been relegated to the third-tier league, the Malaysia FAM League for 2011 season.^[24][25][26]

Years of struggle in Malaysia FAM League[]

The club has been relegated from 2010 Malaysia Premier League to the Malaysia FAM League because of poor performance despite being one of the bigger clubs within it.^[27] In 2012, the club management has concluded as some of the factor that causing the club a chances to be promoted was the poaching of its players by bigger club in higher division and the struggle to attract bigger status players to the club as they were playing in lower division.^[28] The club continue to compete and has been a consistent team in third-tier league, Malaysia FAM League for five straight season.^{[29][30][31][32][33]}

A comeback from lower league[]

The club make a comeback to second-tier league, Malaysia Premier League in 2016 after being promoted as champions of 2015 Malaysia FAM League. Before winning the FAM League, the club has experienced a 32-year trophy drought, where the last time Melaka United won the Malaysian top-tier league was in 1983 where they won the Liga Malaysia which was the league stage that served as the qualifying round for the Malaysian Cup.^[34] During that time, national footballer Soh Chin Aun was playing for Malacca^[35][36]

The club has achieved promotion to Liga Super after became the champion of the Malaysia Premier League in just one year time after winning the Malaysia FAM League.^[1][3]

Back to top division league[]

After received a promotion to top division, the Malaysia Super League, Melaka United management has made a number of changes including of the restructuring of the club management and the new squad selection. On 14 November 2016, Melaka United has announced the appointment of Eric Williams to replace Mat Zan Mat Aris as the new head coach for the club.^[37] Eric Williams has previously managed the Myanmar giant, Yangon United F.C. in 2014 season.^[37] The club has also only retained ten players from previous season and has recruited nine new players.^[38][39]

The club has set a high target for 2017 season including to be a top five in the league standing.^[40] On 18 February 2017, the club has managed to win their first match in Liga Super, almost 10 years after their last win in the top division in 2006–07 season.^[23][41]

Stadium[]

Melaka United are currently based at Hang Jebat Stadium in Krubong, Malacca. The capacity of the stadium is 40,000. In addition to the football field, the stadium also consists of a running track.

The club has previously been using the Hang Tuah Stadium as their homeground before moving to current stadium. The old stadium still be used as a training ground and as a home stadium for its development and youth squad which compete in Piala Presiden, Piala Belia and alternative stadium for senior squad.^[42][43][44]

Crest and colours[]

Crest[]

Melaka United has historically utilised one primary crest before the introduction of football league in Malaysia. The first, adopted when the club was founded, was the image of A Famosa which is a historical remains from colonial age in Malacca. It was used during the club's amateur era and remained for more than half-century.

Since the introduction of football league, the club has evolved from amateur years and has adopted a new crest which features an image of Malacca tree, where the city was named after.

Since the end of 2013 season, the club has undergoes a management changes and rebranding to Melaka United where a new crest was introduced which was a slight modern design changes from the old crest. In 2015, an image of new crest was leak which has received with negative reaction among fans which the club has decided to stick with use of the old crest.

Colours[]

Melaka United have always worn green and white shirts as their home kit as it is an iconic colour for the club and it is different from majority of other teams in the league.

Melaka United's away colours are usually all white with green trim or various combination colours of blue, red, yellow and white as it represent the colour of Malacca's Flag.

Colours and Kit evolution[]

First

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

Away

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

Supporters[]

Ultras Taming Sari (UTS) is one of group of supporters of football in Malaysia and Malacca mainly known for their support for Melaka United.^[45] Founded on 11 January 2011 and currently being led by . The group was one of many Ultras supporters group created under the branches of Ultras Malaya which was founded after the poor performance of national team in international football scene.^[45] It main purpose is to bring back the glory of football supports among Malaysian football fans. These group supporters always bring drums and large colourful flags to the stadiums alongside of chanting in the stadium in order to bring up the spirit of the players and other supporters during matches.

Melaka United are one of the most widely supported football clubs in Malacca. Melaka United's traditional fanbase comes from all over Central Malacca District, Alor Gajah and Jasin area. There are also numerous supporters clubs mainly in Malacca and also Malaysia.

Ownership and finances[]

The Malacca football team has been founded since 1921 and the management of the club has been taken over by the foundation of Malacca Amateur Football Association in 1924 before later on the management drop the amateur status from its name when the Liga Malaysia went semi-pro in 1989 and later on as professional in 1994.^[6][7] The club has been thriving with the financial backing from the state government and sponsors.

In 2014 the management went a restructuring process to become the Melaka United Soccer Association and later on as part of its further privatisation plan, the club will have its own management separating itself from the association as Melaka United Football Club from 2017 season onwards in order to comply with the club licensing regulation.^[46]

Sponsorship[]

Melaka United's kit has been manufactured by Al-Ikhsan start 2020 season.

Melaka United's current main shirt sponsor is Red ONE.

Season	Kit manufacturer	Shirt sponsor
1979		None
1980		None
1981	Schwarzenbach	None
1982–84		Schwarzenbach
1985		Gold Flake
1985		None
1986
1987	RW	None
1988
1989	asics	Dunhill / EON
1990	Lotto
1991–92	Cheetah
1993	Cheetah & Umbro
1994–97		Dunhill
1998		Dunhill / Gibca Holdings
1999–2000	J-King	Dunhill
2001	Mikasa	Dunhill / Mikasa
2002–03	Kronos	Dunhill / Kronos
2004	admiral	Dunhill / Admiral
2005	admiral & Garoos	Celcom
2005/06		TM Net / Creative
2006/07	Figos	TM / Cubic
2006/07	Joma
2007/08	Ambros	Celcom / Metaforce
2009	Kika & Shemsy	Streamyx
2010	Shemsy
2011	Kappa	Interpacific
2012	Ambros	Ambros
2013	Arora	None
2014	Kronos	Mamee / KAJ
2015		Mamee
2016		Edra / Mamee
2017		Edra CGN / Tag Marine
2018		EDRA CGN
2019		EDRA CGN / KLIP
2020	Al-Ikhsan [47]	Olympex

Players[]

First-team squad[]

As of 17 July 2021^[48]

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player 1 GK  MAS Solehin Mamat 2 DF  MAS Che Rashid (on loan from Johor Darul Ta'zim) 3 DF  MAS Akmal Zahir 6 DF  KOR Jang Suk-won 7 MF  MAS Wan Zaharulnizam 8 MF  PHI Manuel Ott 9 FW  BRA Giovane Gomes (on loan from Caxias) 10 FW  HAI Sony Norde 11 MF  MAS Syamim Yahya 12 FW  MAS Kumaahran Sathasivam (on loan from Johor Darul Ta'zim) 13 DF  MAS Razman Roslan (vice-captain) 14 MF  MAS Fakhrullah Rosli 15 MF  MAS Khairul Anwar 17 FW  MAS Hazim Abu Zaid

No. Pos. Nation Player 18 DF  MAS Wan Amirul Afiq 19 GK  MAS Khairul Fahmi (captain) 20 FW  MAS Faizal Talib 21 MF  MAS Gary Steven Robbat (on loan from Johor Darul Ta'zim) 22 GK  MAS Norazlan Razali 23 MF  MAS Jasmir Mehat 24 DF  MAS Farid Azmi 25 MF  MAS Faris Shah 27 FW  BRA Adriano 28 MF  MAS Amirul Hamer 30 MF  MAS Shyamierul Razmee Jasmi 31 DF  MAS Khairul Helmi 35 DF  MAS Hasbullah Abu Bakar (on loan from Johor Darul Ta'zim)

Development squad[]

Under-21s[]

As of 5 June 2020^[49]

No.	Name	Nationality	Position	D.O.B
Goalkeeper
1	Muhammad Rabbani Ros Romzi		GK	1999
19	Muhammad Ridzuan Azali		GK	2000
22	Muhammad Izzul Azry Abu Mansor		GK	2000
Defenders
2	Mohamad Syafiq Che Haron		RB / LB	2001
3	Muhammad Faiz Abdullah		LB / LWB	2000
4	Muhammad Firdaus Mazlan		CB	2000
5	Aiman Irfan Azman		CB	2000
6	Abu Bakar		CB	1999
13	Muhammad Haiqal Rostam		LB	1999
14	Mohamad Fitri Azhar		CB	13/11/99
18	Azmil Hamer		RB / RWB	2000
28	Muhammad Zul Fikri Jamilulhayat		RB / RWB	2000
Midfielders
8	Redha Iskandar Mahizal Azim		CM, AM	8/6/97
11	Muhammad Ammar Shamsuri		RW / RM	1999
12	Mohammad Hafizie Ismail		LW / LM	2000
16	Pavinish a/l Siriteven		CM / DM	2000
21	Muhammad Hanif Afandi A.Hadi		AM / CM	10/8/99
29	Muhammad Nursyazwan Nizu		DM / CM	2000
30	Muhammad Haiqal Ashraf Saifol		CM	2000
Forwards
7	Akmal Mohamad Marzukin		ST	1999
9	Muhammad Firdaus Sadelan		ST/LW	2000
24	Nur Rifdi Fakhrullah Mohd Razali		ST	2000
61	Muhammad Hazim Abu Zaid		ST	17/1/2001

Under-19s[]

As of 5 June 2020^[50]

No.	Name	Nationality	Position	D.O.B
Goalkeeper
1	Muhammad Asyraf Danial Norizan		GK	2002
18	Muhamad Fazrul Haqimi Jamil		GK	2001
22	Esairaj a/l Karupiah		GK	2001
Defenders
2	Muhammad Akmal Alias		CB	2001
3	Muhammad Amirul Ariffin Mezal		LB / LWB	2002
4	Amri Mohd Adnan		CB	2002
5	Muhammad Syazman Jerfy		CB	2002
12	Muhammad Shahharul Md Suhaimi		RB / RWB	2001
14	Muhammad Aiman Abdullah		RB / RWB	2001
16	Matan Raaj a/l Murugan		CB	2001
17	Affan Danial Suzaimi		CB	2002
23	Zakir Mukhriz Zaidi		LB / LWB	2002
26	Mohammad Zarif Syamil Mohd Zamani		CB	2002
28	Elegeswaran a/l Balakrisnan		CB/DM	2002
29	Muhammad Aiman Rahmat Jailani		CB/DM	2001
30	Muhd Syahkhir Muhd Razali		RB / RWB	2001
Midfielders
6	Akmal Arif Mohd Aris		CM	2002
8	Abdul Raziq Abdul Rahim		CM	2001
11	Mohamad Norazizi Mohd Khalid		LW / LM	2001
13	Muhammad Arif Hafiz Mohd Farid		LW / LM	2002
15	Muhammad Luqmanul Hakeem Norizam		RW / RM	2002
19	Haziq Farhan Mohd Jasmi		RW / RM	2002
20	Nor Huzairieen Noreffendy		DM / CM	2002
21	Hilmi Rahim Azian		CM	2001
24	Muhammad Za'im Hakim Zakaria		LW / LM	2002
25	Muhammad Luquman Syadiq Rozaidi		DM / CM	2001
27	Muhammad Nabil Uzair A.Zainal		AM / LW / RW	2002
Forwards
7	Muhammad Hafiz Jaafar		ST	2001
9	Muhammad Farhan Kudzaime		ST	2002
10	Muhammad Syahmi Shamsudin		ST	2001

Head coaches[]

Coach	Years	Honours
Marco Bilic	1992
	1997
	1998
	1999
	2000–01	Runner up 2000 Liga Perdana 2
Ong Kim Swee	2005
E. Elavarasan	2005–06	Runner up 2005–06 Liga Premier
K. Devan	2007
	2007–08
	2008–09
	2009–10
	2010
	2011
	2012
	Jan 2013 – April 2013
	April 2013
Ladislav Totkovič	Nov 2013 – Apr 2014
Mat Zan Mat Aris	Sept 2014 – Oct 2016	Winner 2015 Liga FAM Winner 2016 Liga Premier
Eric Williams[37]	November 2016 – June 2017
Eduardo Almeida	June 2017 – May 2018
E. Elavarasan	May 2018 – November 2018
Zainal Abidin Hassan[51]	14 November 2018 – present

Records[]

Name	Period	GP	W	D	L	GS	GA	GD	Win %
Mat Zan Mat Aris	Sept 2014 – Oct 2016	46	30	9	7	92	51	+41	065.22
Eric Williams	November 2016 – June 2017	14	3	5	6	12	26	−14	021.43
Eduardo Almeida	June 2017 – May 2018	17	7	2	8	15	59	−44	041.18
E. Elavarasan	May 2018 – November 2018	19	8	7	4	42	26	+16	042.11
Zainal Abidin Hassan	14 November 2018 – present	21	9	5	7	34	28	+6	042.86

Team managers[]

Year	Manager
1999-02	Datuk
2005	Datuk
2006–08
2008–
2009–2010
2011–2013
April 2013– November 2013	Datuk Wira Idris Haron
November 2013 – present	Datuk

Management team[]

As of 14 November 2018^[52]

Club personnel[]

Position	Name
President	Datuk Sulaiman Md Ali
Deputy President	Datuk Wira Mohd Yusoff Mahadi
General Secretary	Mohd Asri Ninggal
Treasurer	Datuk Saiful Mat Sapri
Vice-President	Noor Azman Rahman Mohd Ashiq Abd. Samad Datuk Hj. Fadzil A. Bakar Yong Yoon Pin
Team Manager	Muhammad Akram Abdullah
Technical Director	Richard Sinapan
Head Coach	Zainal Abidin Hassan
Assistant Coach	Md Noor Md Derus Mohd Asri Ninggal
Goalkeeper Coach	Mazlan Abd Wahid
Fitness Coach	Norhudahiroshi Razak
Team Doctor	Adeeban Koomar a/l Ayyakanoo
Physio	Muhammad Rozairen Hairudin
	Fakhrusy Syakirin Yaacob
U21 Manager	Mohamad Ashiq Abd Samad
U21 Asst Manager	Muhd Razali Omar Othman
U21 Head Coach	Mohd Yazid Abu
U21 Asst Coach	Norizam Ali Hassan
U21 GK Coach	S. Rosli Hashim
U21 Fitness Coach	Mohd Zahiri Moostafa
U21 Physio	Mohd Izzhar Iskandar Mohd Zaini
U19 Manager	Yong Yoon Pin
U19 Asst. Manager	Leong Hong Seng
U19 Head Coach	Fauzzi Kassim
U19 Asst Coach	S Ganesan Pillay a/l S Pillay
U19 GK Coach	Zulkarnain Osman
U19 Fitness Coach	Mohd Firdaus Abu
U19 Physio Coach	Nur Ezzati bin Mohd Sa'ari

Honours[]

Domestic competitions[]

League[]

• Liga Malaysia / Liga Semi-Pro Divisyen 1 / Liga Perdana / Liga Perdana 1 / Liga Super

Winners (1): 1983

• Liga Semi-Pro Divisyen 2 / Liga Perdana 2 / Liga Premier

Winners (1): 2016

Runners-up (2): 2000, 2005–06

• Piala FAM / Liga FAM

Winners (1): 2015

Runners-up (2): 1957, 1958

Cups[]

• Piala FA

Winners: -

• Piala Malaysia

Winners: -

• Piala Sumbangsih

Winners: -

Asian competitions[]

• Asian Club Championship / AFC Champions League

Appearances: 1985–86

Performance in AFC competitions[]

• Asian Club Championship / AFC Champions League: 1 appearance

1986: ASEAN Qualifying (4th place)

Season	Competition	Round	Club	1st Leg	2nd Leg	Aggregate
1985–86	Asian Club Championship	Qualifying Round	Krama Yudha Tiga Berlian	2–0 (Loss)		4th place
			ADP FC	1–0 (Win)
			Bangkok Bank F.C.	5–1 (Loss)
			Tiong Bahru CSC	0–0 (Draw)

Club record[]

Updated on 17 March 2018.

Note:

• Pld = Played, W = Won, D = Drawn, L = Lost, F = Goals for, A = Goals against, D = Goal difference, Pts= Points, Pos = Position

  1st or Champions   2nd or Runner-up   3rd place   Promotion   Relegation

Season	League										Cup			Asia
	Division	Pld	W	D	L	F	A	D	Pts	Pos	Sumbangsih	Malaysia	FA	Competition	Result
2001	Liga Perdana 1	22	6	4	12	25	38	–13	22	11th	—	—	2nd round	—	—
2002	Liga Perdana 1	26	8	3	15	28	48	–20	27	11th	—	Group stage	1st round	—	—
2003	Liga Perdana 1	24	5	5	14	24	53	–29	20	11th	—	Group stage	1st round	—	—
2004	Liga Premier	24	6	9	9	32	38	–6	27	7th	—	—	3rd round	—	—
2005	Liga Premier	21	3	1	17	17	50	–33	10	8th	—	—	1st round	—	—
2005–06	Liga Premier	21	13	4	4	48	24	+24	43	1st	—	Group stage	1st round	—	—
2006–07	Liga Super	24	2	3	19	24	72	–48	9	13th	—	Quarter-finals	—	—	—
2007–08	Liga Premier	24	8	2	14	29	43	–14	26	9th	—	Group stage	Quarter-finals	—	—
2009	Liga Premier	24	3	9	12	17	32	–15	18	11th	—	Group stage	1st round	—	—
2010	Liga Premier	22	4	3	15	31	68	–37	15	11th	—	Not qualified	1st round	—	—
2011	Liga FAM	20	7	5	8	45	40	+5	26	6th	—	Not qualified	1st round	—	—
2012	Liga FAM	16	5	1	10	20	25	–5	16	7th	—	Not qualified	1st round	—	—
2013	Liga FAM	20	10	3	7	30	30	0	33	6th	—	Not qualified	1st round	—	—
2014	Liga FAM	22	8	4	10	34	37	–3	28	6th	—	Not qualified	1st round	—	—
2015	Liga FAM	16	11	3	2	30	13	+17	36	1st	—	Not qualified	1st round	—	—
2016	Liga Premier	22	15	5	2	48	25	+23	50	1st	—	Group stage	2nd round	—	—
2017	Liga Super	22	6	6	10	33	46	–13	24	8th	—	Quarter-finals	3rd round	—	—
2018	Liga Super	22	9	4	9	33	38	–5	31	7th	—	Group Stage	3rd round	—	—
2019	Liga Super	22	9	6	7	34	30	+4	33	6th	—	Quarter-finals	2nd round	—	—
2020	Liga Super	11	4	2	5	13	16	–3	11	9th	—	Round of 16	2nd round	—	—

Source:^[53][54]

Individual player awards[]

Malaysian League Golden boot winners[]

Season	Player	Goals
2016	Ilija Spasojević	24

Malaysian League top goalscorers[]

Season	Player	Goals
1995	Norizam Ali Hassan	11
2003		8
2004	Emir Dzafic	10
2009	Fauzzi Kassim	7
2015	Nurshamil Abd Ghani	15
2016	Ilija Spasojević	24
2017	Marko Šimić	12
2018	Yahor Zubovich	12
2019	Patrick Reichelt	11
2020	Uche Agba	6

Affiliated clubs[]

• Melaka City
• SAMB
• Liga Melaka

References[]

External links[]

• Official Website
• Melaka United at Football Malaysia
• Official Facebook