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Jeevan Selvanathan

Stadium Darul Aman was full to the rafters as usual, but mainly with the home support for Kedah, who over the past two years have achieved an unthinkable double treble.

It has to be said that all 6 trophies over 2 years can be put down to the antics of star-striker Marlon Alex James, midfielder Nelson San Martin and defender Bernard Huggins, who have all now left, with James and Huggins now plying their trade in the MLS, with the San Jose Earthquake.

But even with those absentees, the general opinion was that Kedah, through their youth set-up, along with some capable local players like Khyril Muhymeen and Victor Andrag, would still rule the roost comfortably, while the other teams just got worse.

So imagine the surprise when they were beaten by Selangor. 4-1. Would this result be the herald of new and exciting times in the MSL?

Was the FAM right in going against the grain and banishing the imports?Would the interesting times return to Malaysian Football?

Well, not quite, as that defeat wasn't exactly down to the whole team playing differently. It was just one man, the same man, who did the same thing at the recent AFF Cup, which saw Malaysia, again kicked out. That man, was Goalie Helmi Elias.

Kedah's hero of the past two treble winning seasons has been branded a zero after being at fault for at least two of Selangor's goals in the defeat at the Darulaman
After conceding the opening goal from a third-minute free-kick, Helmi inexplicably punched a harmless long range effort into his own net for Selangor's second in the 32nd minute.

He was beaten again three minutes later after rushing out but failing to reach the ball in time.

Kedah coach Mohd Azraai Khor had to haul off his once trusted goalkeeper after just 38 minutes with the Canaries already trailing 0-3.

So, have things changed? Maybe, maybe not. One things' for certain though: the fans did get their moneys' worth on Saturday, in what turned out to be a very interesting game.

Some would say, that's all that counts.