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Melaka United F.C.

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Melaka United Football Club (/məˈlɑːkə/) was a Malaysian professional football club based in Malacca that competed in the Malaysia Super League. They were owned by Kenteam Sdn Bhd, which is one of main nitrile glove producers in Malaysia. The club's home ground has been the Hang Tuah Stadium, before moving to Hang Jebat Stadium in Paya Rumput, Krubong in 2005. The club represented the state of Malacca in Malaysian football competitions. They reached the top division in Malaysian football after back-to-back promotions as champion of the 2015 Malaysia FAM League and 2016 Malaysia Premier League.[1][2][3]

Melaka United Football Club
Full nameMelaka United Football Club
Nickname(s)Hang Tuah
Pelanduk (The Mousedeer)
Short nameMUFC
Founded1924; 100 years ago (1924), as MAFA
Dissolved2022; 2 years ago (2022)
GroundHang Jebat Stadium
Capacity40,000
OwnerMelaka Football Association
LeagueMalaysia Super League
2022Malaysia Super League, 10 th of 12 (ejected)

The club was formerly referred to as Malacca or officially as Malacca Amateur FA and Malacca FA. Malacca FA biggest achievement in Malaysia football was becoming the Malaysian League champion in 1983, led by Asian Football Hall of Fame, Soh Chin Ann.

The club's nickname was Hang Tuah, the name being synonymous with strength and intelligence.

Melaka United's regular kit colours were green and white for shirts, shorts and socks.

History

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Origins

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Malacca has sent a football team to play in Malaya Cup since its inaugural season in 1921.[4] 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).[5] Since then, the football team has been competing in Malaya Cup and FAM Cup consistently. MAFA biggest achievement when they reached the final 1957 and 1958 FAM Cup led by Robert Choe.[6][7]

The era of amateur football league

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Main article: Malaysian 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] 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 winners trophy. The league has been known as Liga Malaysia.[10][11] Malacca football team continued 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

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Main article: Liga Semi-Pro

Over the years, the league competition has gained important stature in its own right. From 1982 until 1988 the league has an amateur status and continues its purpose as qualifying round for Piala Malaysia. Only in 1989 it is changed to a new format as Liga Semi-Pro (MSPFL), introduced by FAM as a way towards fully professional status. The inaugural season of MSPFL consisted of nine teams in Division I and eight teams in Division II.[12] Malacca has been put in Division II from 1989 to 1992 seasons.

Era of professional football

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Main articles: Liga Perdana (1994–97), Liga Perdana 1, and Liga Perdana 2

MSPFL was the nation's top-tier league until it was succeeded by the Liga Perdana (1994–97). In its inaugural season, 16 teams competed. The teams were based from all states in Malaysia including Malacca, Kuala Lumpur and addition of two teams from Singapore and Brunei.[13]

In 1998, Liga Perdana was divided into two divisions consist of Liga Perdana 1 and Liga Perdana 2.[14][15] During 1998, Liga Perdana 1 consist of 12 teams while Liga Perdana 2 had 8 teams.[14] Malacca competed 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 consisted of semi-pro team where each team was allowed to register 25 players (minimum of 12 professionals for Liga Perdana 1 and 6 professional for Liga Perdana 2).[14]

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

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

Playing in Malaysia Premier League

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

Brief year in Malaysia Super League

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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 squad from the previous winning season, in order to create a more competitive team.

Back to second division

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A slump in performance has caused the club struggling and fighting for relegation in their three seasons of Malaysia Premier League, from 2008 until 2010, before the dark era. The club has been relegated to the Malaysia FAM League for 2011 season.[24][25][26]

Years of struggle in Malaysia FAM League

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The club has been relegated from 2010 Malaysia Premier League to the Malaysia FAM League, despite being one of the bigger clubs within it.[27][28] The club continued to compete and had been a consistent team in third-tier league for five straight seasons.[29][30][31][32][33]

A comeback from lower league

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The club made 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 had experienced a 32-year trophy drought, where the last time Melaka United won the Malaysian top-tier league was in 1983. It was the league stage that served as the qualifying round for the Malaysian Cup.[34] During that time, national footballer Soh Chin Ann was playing for Malacca[35][36]

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

Back to top division league

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After the promotion to the top division, Melaka United management has made a number of changes, including 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 Yangon United F.C. in the 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 reach the top five in the league standings.[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]

Dissolution

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Melaka United announced the decision to dissolve the club in 2022, after failing to pay the players and coaches. The debt was thought to be more than RM 3 million. Melaka F.C. become a new team to represent the state of Malacca for 2023 onwards, though they will not inherit the honours and titles won by Melaka United.

Stadium

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Main articles: Hang Jebat Stadium and Hang Tuah Stadium
 
Hang Jebat Stadium

Melaka United last played at Hang Jebat Stadium. 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 home ground.It was still used as a training ground and home stadium for development and youth squad, which mostly competed in Piala Presiden and Piala Belia.[42][43][44]

Crest and colours

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Crest

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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, historical remains from the 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 featured an image of Malacca tree, which the city was named after.

Since the end of 2013, the club has had a rebranding to Melaka United, where a new version crest was introduced.

Colours

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Melaka United have always worn green and white shirts as their home kit as it was an iconic colour for the club.

Melaka United's away colours were usually all white with green trim, or various combinations of blue, red, yellow and white, as it represents the colour of Malacca's flag.

Colours and kit evolution

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Home

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2016
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2017
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2018
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2019
 
 
 
 
 
2020

Away

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2016
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2017
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2018
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2019
 
 
 
 
 
2020

Supporters

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"Ultras Taming Sari" (UTS) was mainly known for supporting Melaka United.[45] The group was one of many ultras supporters created under the branches of Ultras Malaya.[45]

Melaka United was one of the most supported clubs in Malacca. Melaka United's traditional fanbase come from all over the Central Malacca District, Alor Gajah and Jasin area.

 
Fans during a match

Ownership and finances

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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.[4][5] The club has been thriving with the financial backing from the state government and sponsors.

In 2014 the management went through a restructuring process to become the Melaka United Soccer Association[46]

Sponsorship

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Season Kit manufacturer Shirt sponsor
1979 Admiral None
1980 Umbro None
1981 Schwarzenbach None
1982–84 Schwarzenbach
1985 Gold Flake
1985 Diadora None
1986 Topper Topper
1987 RW None
1988 Dunhill
1989 Asics Dunhill / EON
1990 Lotto
1991–92 Cheetah
1993 Cheetah & Umbro
1994–97 Mizuno Dunhill
1998 Dunhill / Gibca Holdings
1999–00 J-King Dunhill
2001 Mikasa Dunhill / Mikasa
2002–03 Kronos Dunhill / Kronos
2004 Admiral Dunhill / Admiral
2005 Admiral & Garoos Celcom
2005 Lotto TM Net / Creative
2006 Figos TM / Cubic
2006 Joma TM
2007 Ambros Celcom / Metaforce
2009 Kika & Shemsy Streamyx
2010 Shemsy TM
2011 Kappa Interpacific
2012 Ambros Ambros
2013 Arora None
2014 Kronos Mamee / KAJ
2015 Mamee
2016 Edra / Mamee
2017 Edra CGN / Tag Marine
2018 Warrix Sports EDRA CGN
2019 EDRA CGN / KLIP
2020 Al-Ikhsan [47] Olympex
2021 EDRA CGN/ Mamee
2022 Ken Team

Head coaches

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Coach Years Honours
Marco Bilic 1992
Remeli Junit 1996
Mahathir Taha 1997
Mohd Shah Alias Norbit 1998
G. Torairaju 1999
Remeli Junit 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
Ramli Junit 2007–08
Mohd Nick Sham Abdullah 2008–09
Abdul Rahim Abdullah 2009–10
Mahathir Taha 2010
Manja Man 2011
G. Selvamohan 2012
Mohd Asri Ninggal January 2013 – April 2013
Hashim Abdullah April 2013
Ladislav Totkovič November 2013 – April 2014
Mat Zan Mat Aris September 2014 – October 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[48] 14 November 2018 – 17 January 2022
Risto Vidaković 22 January 2022 – 12 April 2022

Records

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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 – 2022 21 9 5 7 34 28 +6 042.86

Team managers

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Year Manager
1999–2002 Datuk Ibrahim Durum
2005 Datuk Chua Peng Song
2006–2008 Karim Yaacob
2008–2009 Mohd Yazid Khamis
2009–2010 Abdul Malik Kassim
2011–2013 Datuk Mohd Yunos Husin
April 2013–November 2013 Datuk Wira Idris Haron
November 2013 – 2022 Datuk Mohd Yusoff Bin Hj Mahadi

Honours

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Domestic competitions

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League

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Cup

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Winners: -
Winners: -
Winners: -

Preseason competitions

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See also: Season (sports) § Preseason
  Winners (1): 2022[49]

Performance in AFC competitions

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1986: Southeast Asia Qualifying/ASEAN Champions Cup–4th place[50]
Season Competition Round Club 1st Leg 2nd Leg Aggregate
1985–86 Asian Club Championship Qualifying Round / Southeast Asia (ASEAN Champions Cup)   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

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

  1st or Champions   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:[51][52]

Individual player awards

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Malaysian League Golden boot winners

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See also: Malaysian League
Season Player Goals
2016   Ilija Spasojević 24

Malaysian League top goalscorers

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Season Player Goals
1995   Norizam Ali Hassan 11
2003   Sufian Shamsubari 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

Notable former players

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This list of prominent former players includes those who received international caps while playing for the team, made significant contribution in terms of appearances or goals, or to the sport either before they played for the team, or after they left. It is not complete or all inclusive, additions and refinements will continue to be made over time.

Affiliated clubs

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References

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  1. ^ a b Melaka United layak ke Liga Perdana Archived 25 December 2015 at the Wayback Machine
  2. ^ Melaka United juarai Piala Liga FAM
  3. ^ a b "Melaka kembali ke Liga Super selepas 10 tahun | Berita Liga Perdana | Stadium Astro". Archived from the original on 17 September 2016. Retrieved 26 December 2016.
  4. ^ a b [1] Malaysia 1921
  5. ^ a b [2] Malaysia 1921
  6. ^ "Merdeka memories". The Star. 28 August 2015. Archived from the original on 20 September 2020. Retrieved 31 August 2015.
  7. ^ of Malaysia Cup Malaysia - List of Cup Winners - FA of Malaysia Cup - RSSSF
  8. ^ a b [3] Malaya Cup 1979
  9. ^ Wilson, Peter; Sim, Benson (1995). "The demand for Semi-Pro League football in Malaysia 1989–91: a panel data approach". Applied Economics. 27: 131–138. doi:10.1080/00036849500000015.
  10. ^ [4] Malaya Cup 1981
  11. ^ [5] Malaysia 1982
  12. ^ [6] Malaysia 1989
  13. ^ [7] Malaysia 1994
  14. ^ a b c http://ww1.utusan.com.my/utusan/info.asp?y=1998&dt=0111&pub=Utusan_Malaysia&sec=Sukan&pg=sp_01.htm Archived 2 March 2018 at the Wayback Machine Pemain Malaysia bebas ke Brunei
  15. ^ http://ww1.utusan.com.my/utusan/info.asp?y=1998&dt=0613&pub=Utusan_Malaysia&sec=Sukan&pg=sp_03.htm Archived 2 March 2018 at the Wayback Machine Demam Piala Dunia rasuk Liga Perdana
  16. ^ [8] Malaysia 1998
  17. ^ [9] Malaysia 2001
  18. ^ [10] Malaysia 2002
  19. ^ [11] Malaysia 2003
  20. ^ [12] Malaysia 2004
  21. ^ [13] Malaysia 2005
  22. ^ [14] Malaysia 2006
  23. ^ a b [15] Malaysia 2007
  24. ^ [16] Malaysia 2008
  25. ^ [17] Malaysia 2009
  26. ^ [18] Malaysia 2010
  27. ^ [19] Malaysia 2011
  28. ^ http://www.sinarharian.com.my/edisi/melaka-ns/pemain-berbakat-berhijrah-punca-pasukan-bola-sepak-melaka-merosot-1.63326 Pemain berbakat berhijrah punca pasukan bola sepak Melaka merosot
  29. ^ http://ww1.utusan.com.my/utusan/Sukan/20121027/su_04/Sokongan-peminat-semakin-menurun---Kelab-Penyokong-Melaka Sokongan peminat semakin menurun - Kelab Penyokong Melaka
  30. ^ [20] Malaysia 2012
  31. ^ [21] Malaysia 2013
  32. ^ [22] Malaysia 2014
  33. ^ [23] Malaysia 2015
  34. ^ [24] Malaysia 1983
  35. ^ Melaka kembali warnai Liga M
  36. ^ 32 tahun ketandusan sebarang piala dalam arena bola sepak tempatan
  37. ^ a b c "Melaka lantik Eric Williams sebagai jurulatih baru | Stadium Astro". Archived from the original on 14 November 2016. Retrieved 14 November 2016. Melaka lantik Eric Williams sebagai jurulatih baru
  38. ^ http://www.goal.com/en-my/news/3896/malaysia/2016/11/03/29130692/melaka-united-to-offer-spasojevic-solehin-and-eight-other Melaka United to offer Spasojevic, Solehin and eight other players new contract
  39. ^ http://www.goal.com/en-my/news/3896/malaysia/2016/11/28/29964252/transfer-round-up-melaka-recruit-nine-new-players-jdt-signed?ICID=HP_BN_3 TRANSFER ROUND-UP: Melaka recruit nine new players, JDT signed one
  40. ^ http://www.stadiumastro.com/ms/article/2016/12/26/melaka-united-sasar-kelompok-atasan-liga-super Melaka United sasar kelompok atasan Liga Super
  41. ^ http://www.goal.com/en-my/news/3889/main/2017/02/19/32841222/melaka-must-win-away-matches-says-manager-yusoff-mahadi Melaka must win away matches, says manager Yusoff Mahadi
  42. ^ "SPMB". Pengurusanbolasepakfam.org.my. Retrieved 23 December 2016.
  43. ^ "SPMB". Pengurusanbolasepakfam.org.my. Retrieved 23 December 2016.
  44. ^ "SPMB". Pengurusanbolasepakfam.org.my. Retrieved 22 January 2017.
  45. ^ a b "Ultras Malaya cetus kebangkitan". bharian.com.my.
  46. ^ http://www.hmetro.com.my/node/176335 Imej baru MUFC perkasa Melaka United [METROTV]
  47. ^ "Al-Ikhsan, RedONE Tampil Sebagai Penaja Melaka United". Semuanya Bola. Retrieved 2 December 2019.
  48. ^ "Zainal Abidin jurulatih baharu Melaka United". Utusan Online. Archived from the original on 23 April 2019. Retrieved 14 November 2018.
  49. ^ "Melaka United Juara Piala TYT" (in Malay). Melaka United Media. Archived from the original on 26 February 2022. Retrieved 26 February 2022.
  50. ^ Asian Club Competitions 1986 at RSSSF.com
  51. ^ "Summary - Premier League - Malaysia - Results, fixtures, tables and news - Soccerway".
  52. ^ "Malaysia 2016".
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