KUALA LUMPUR – Debutant TSS Selangor clinched the overall champion title at the 17th edition of the Datuk Chu Ah Nge International Junior Football Tournament today.
The tournament, hosted by the Royal Selangor Club (RSC) in Mont Kiara Sports Annex, witnessed TSS seizing the challenge trophy from the five-time champions, Junior Soccer School League (JSSL) of Singapore.
TSS asserted its dominance by securing victories in three out of five age-group categories, namely under-10, under-14, and under-16.
The other triumphant teams were under-8 Euro Soccer Singapore and under-12 Bintang Biru Penang.
“It is a great debut for us, winning three age groups and the overall title.
“We came to this tournament with an open mind, considering JSSL’s dominance over the years.
“But we are glad that we managed to stand out and triumph,” said team manager Kamaruddin Omar.
Adding to their accolades, TSS – owned by Selangor royal household member Tengku Shakirinal Shah – claimed individual honours for the Man of the Match in the finals across all three age groups, as well as the tournament’s Best Player awards in the under-10 and under-16 categories.
Despite entering three finals, JSSL faced defeat in all, including two losses to TSS.
Notably, TSS FC’s under-10 team secured their second victory in as many days, following their triumph in the National Football Development Programme grand final on Saturday.
Kamaruddin, who has been managing the team since its formation in 2019, praised the international standard organisation of the Datuk Chu tournament, emphasising the rare occasion when their teams compete at home.
Having recently returned from winning championships in the Gothia Cup in Sweden and Dana Cup in Denmark, TSS has amassed an impressive 28 titles in this year alone, participating in 16 finals.
The Datuk Chu tournament, boasting 81 teams and 972 children, further solidifies TSS FC’s position as a force to be reckoned with on the international junior football stage. — December 4, 2023