KUALA LUMPUR: For those who missed knocking out others, it's time for them to get ready their football sledgehammers.
After a two-year absence due to Covid-19, the thrill of FA Cup knockout action is back.
The FA Cup first round draw, which was held today, saw many of the big boys pitted against the underdogs from the third-tier M3 of the M-League.
The competition, which kicks off next month, will see two playoff matches, BRM vs Tun Razak City and Bukit Tambun vs Imigresen. Eleven other M3 clubs received byes to the first round.
Kedah, the FA Cup holders from 2019, will open their campaign against minnows Sains while Johor Darul Ta'zim await the winners of the BRM vs Tun Razak City tie.
the 16 first round matches, there was only one all Super League encounter – Terengganu hosting 2021 Premier League champions Negri Sembilan at the Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin Stadium.
The other notable fixtures will see last year's Malaysia Cup winners Kuala Lumpur City facing Langkawi City while Selangor will take on Harini FT.
With pandemic restrictions still in place, the draw saw 16 teams from the Super League and Premier League being drawn first as hosts as they have the capabilities to adhere to the requirements.
This season's FA Cup saw a revamp of its format with all matches being direct knockout, and no longer double headers even from the quarter-final and semi-final stages.
The Malaysian Football League have also deemed the FA Cup to be the route to the AFC Cup with the winners earning a place in next year's Asian competition.
FA Cup first round draw:
Selangor vs Harini FT, PJ City vs Kelantan, Sabah vs Respect, Sri Pahang vs Manjung City, Terengganu vs Negeri Sembilan, FAM-MSN Project Squad vs Tok Janggut Warriors, Johor Darul Ta'zim vs BRM/Tun Razak City, Kuala Lumpur City vs Langkawi City, Kelantan United vs Kinabalu Jaguar, Melaka United vs PIB, PDRM v Perlis United, Kedah Darul Aman vs Sains, Perak v Kijang Rangers, Penang vs Bukit Tambun/Imigresen, Kuching City vs UiTM, Sarawak United vs Ultimate