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Hariss wins MSL title with JDT I

SINGAPORE — Hariss Harun has carved a place for himself in the Malaysian Super League (MSL) history books by becoming the first Singaporean to win back-to-back league titles, albeit with two different teams.

SINGAPORE — Hariss Harun has carved a place for himself in the Malaysian Super League (MSL) history books by becoming the first Singaporean to win back-to-back league titles, albeit with two different teams.

Last season, Hariss played a key role in V Sundramoorthy’s LionsXII that won the 2013 league title.

On Wednesday, the 23-year-old was a late substitute in the season-ending match in Kuching, where Johor Darul Ta’zim I (JDT I) beat Sarawak 1-0 to win the league crown by three points over Selangor, a result that earned Johoreans a public holiday yesterday.

Speaking to TODAY, versatile Hariss, who defends and attacks with equal intent, does not think he is a special player, despite winning titles in successive seasons.

“No, I don’t think so. I am only a part of two successful teams,” he said. “The LionsXII won the league on the back of some gritty away performances and were solid at home.

“JDT invested in some very talented players. We had depth on the bench and displayed some solid teamwork, despite hiccups along the way.”

Just as JDT I had a roller-coaster season which saw them replacing their Spanish coach Cesar Jimenez with Croatian-born Bojan Hodak midway in the campaign, Hariss too has had his fair share of ups and downs.

An automatic starter with the LionsXII, Hariss found himself warming the JDT I bench at the start of the season. MSL rules allow for only three foreign signings on the field at any time, and JDT I preferred to start with Singaporean Baihakki Khaizan and Argentineans Pablo Aimar and Luciano Figueroa.

Only after the mid-season shake-up, which also saw the premature end to the contracts of Aimar and Baihakki, did Hariss finally get the chance to establish himself in the starting line-up.

While he can now celebrate another title, Hariss has not forgotten the LionsXII, who he felt were unlucky this season.

“They had some good performances away from home but at times were so unlucky that shots would hit the post and not go in, and they also conceded some very sloppy goals,” said Hariss.

“As the saying goes, the bounce of the ball did not favour them at times, but I hope they will come back stronger in the Malaysia Cup. The spirit of the LionsXII is still their greatest trump card.” DAN GUEN CHIN

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