Pahang Rangers F.C.

Pahang Rangers
Full namePahang Rangers Futsal Club
Nickname(s)Tok Gajah (The Elephants)
Short namePRFC
FoundedNovember 2016; 8 years ago (2016-11) (as Kuantan Rangers F.C.)
12 February 2019; 5 years ago (2019-02-12) (as Pahang Rangers F.C.)
GroundSUKPA Indoor Stadium
Capacity5,000
Head coachGerard Casas
LeagueMPFL Division 1
2024MPFL Division 1, 3rd of 8
Websitehttps://pahangrangers.com/
Current season

Pahang Rangers Futsal Club is a professional Futsal club based in Kuantan, Pahang. The club competes in the MPFL Division 1, the national futsal league in Malaysia. Founded in 2016 as Kuantan Rangers Futsal Club, the club compete as an amateur status futsal club before rebranding to Pahang Rangers F.C. to became fully professional in 2019.[1]

In terms of success, the club has won 1 MPFL title, 1 Brunei Futsal League title and 1 Malaysia Futsal Cup. Both of the MPFL and Malaysia Futsal Cup titles were won in 2023 season with Gerard Casas as the head coach of the club.[2]

History

Formation and early years (2016–2018)

Kuantan Rangers F.C. was established in November 2016 and participated in the Qualifying Round of the 2017 Liga Futsal Kebangsaan from December 21 to 23, with Mohammad Faizul Abdul Gaffar as the club's head coach. They were drawn into Group B with ATM, KSMR Kangar FC, Pulau Pinang, and Penang MBPP. In their first-ever non-friendly match, they lost 3–4 to Penang MBPP. Faisal Saharudin became the club's first goalscorer as he scored in the 18th minute of that game. They ended their group matches with two draws and two losses. Due to this, they failed to qualify for the 2017 Liga Futsal Kebangsaan in their first try.[3] On 7 April 2017, Brunei Futsal announced that Kuantan Rangers would be taking part in the 2017 Brunei Futsal League as an invited team. Kuantan Rangers ended the season by winning the league undefeated, with a record of seven wins and two draw in nine games played.[4]

Kuantan Rangers participated in the Qualifying Round of the 2018 Liga Futsal Kebangsaan. In the new format, they were drawn into Group B with PKB and PST IIUM Mustangs. They succeeded in winning over them and reached the quarter-finals. They defeated KL Marcerra United 3–1 and won 3–0 against Kedah in the semi-finals. For the first time in their history, Kuantan Rangers qualified for the Liga Futsal Kebangsaan.[5] In their first season, they exceeded people's expectations as they finished in 5th place with eight wins, three draws, and seven losses. Iqbal Aikal became the club's top goalscorer in that season with 10 goals.

Rebranding to Pahang Rangers F.C. (2019–present)

In the 2019 season, Kuantan Rangers went through a rebranding process, officially known as Pahang Rangers, and represented the Pahang state futsal team in the Malaysia Premier Futsal League. For the first time in three years, the team wore the traditional color yellow as the official home jersey. On 16 May 2019, Pahang Rangers announced Taufik Yaiyah as the new club’s head coach. The team started the 2019 MPFL season with a 4–2 win against Kuala Lumpur.[6] In that season, the team began a rivalry with Selangor MAC after a 0–6 loss against them in the pre-season friendly match. It is reported that the match was quite tense, and there were several incidents between the two sides. The rivalry between the sides intensified, as on 21 August 2019, Pahang Rangers hosted the visit of Selangor MAC at the SUKMA Indoor Stadium; the game ended 4–2, with Pahang Rangers securing the win. It was reported that the attendance of the game was a full house, with 5,000 people watching the game in the stadium.[7] The club ended the season finished in 2nd place with 10 wins, 4 draws and 2 losses.[8] On 21 November 2019, the club's head coach, Taufik Yaiyah, parted ways with the club.[9]

On January 7, 2020, the club announced that Gerard Casas would be their new head coach.[10] In the 2020 MPFL season, the club played only one game, as the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) announced that the competition would be cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Malaysia. The 2021 MPFL season was also cancelled. The club participated in 2021 AFF Futsal Cup, this will be the club second continental competition since 2017 Brunei Futsal League. They ended the competition with one win and 3 losses.

In the 2022 MPFL season, the club ended in 2nd place, finishing once again behind Selangor MAC with 10 wins, three draws, and one loss. The club's only loss was against PDRM with a score of 3–4. Also, in the first edition of the Malaysia Futsal Cup, the club lost to Selangor MAC in the final with a score of 3–4. They once again failed to win their first domestic trophy.

Double champion (2023)

On 14 December 2022, the club officially extended Gerard Casas' contract for one year.[11] As the MPFL format changed in the 2023 season, the club was drawn into Group A with ATM, Kedah, KPT-PST Mustangs, Pulau Pinang, Sabah, and Terengganu. The team flew to Thailand to participate in the 2023 AFF Futsal Club Championship, scheduled from 1 to 7 May 2023. They finished the competition in fourth place with a record of one win and three losses.[12] Meanwhile, they finished MPFL Group A in first place with a record of eleven wins and one draw, thus qualifying for the playoffs. They defeated holders Selangor MAC in the semi-finals and beat Johor Darul Ta'zim in the final to capture the first MPFL title in the club's history.[13] They also won their first Malaysia Futsal Cup title after beating Johor Darul Ta'zim in the final on penalties.[14] With these achievements, the club decided to extend Gerard Casas' contract.[15]

Colours and badge

Colours

The official colors of Pahang Rangers, reflecting the rich heritage and identity of the state, are a striking combination of black and white. These colors hold significant symbolic value as they mirror the distinctive hues present in both the flag and coat of arms of Pahang. The choice of black and white serves not only as a representation of the club but also as a nod to the historical and cultural elements associated with the region.

In the realm of team attire, Pahang Rangers predominantly don jerseys in the classic black and white ensemble. This choice underscores a sense of tradition and solidarity within the team. However, it is worth noting that there were deviations from this norm in the 2019 and 2020 seasons. During these periods, the club embraced a vibrant palette, with yellow and blue taking center stage as the primary jersey colors. This departure from the traditional black and white added a dynamic and refreshing element to the team's visual identity, offering fans a unique and memorable representation during those particular seasons.

Badge

The emblem of the club, fashioned in the shape of a shield, proudly showcases the iconic black and white color scheme that has become synonymous with Pahang Rangers. At the heart of this emblem, a majestic elephant head takes center stage, symbolizing strength, resilience, and the spirit of the team. The inclusion of stalks of rice on either side not only pays homage to the agricultural richness of the region but also serves as a nod to the unity and growth that the club strives for.

Adding a touch of grandeur, a pair of tusks adorns the bottom of the emblem, further emphasizing the club's commitment to power and tenacity. Each element within the badge contributes to the narrative of the club's identity, weaving together elements of tradition, local heritage, and the formidable ethos that defines Pahang Rangers. This meticulously crafted emblem is more than just a symbol; it encapsulates the essence and aspirations of the team, making it a visual representation of pride for both players and supporters alike.

Honours

Pahang Rangers' first domestic trophy was the Malaysia Premier Futsal League, which it won in the club's fourth season after rebranding as Pahang Rangers F.C. In the same season, the club also won the Malaysia Futsal Cup.[16]

Pahang Rangers F.C. honours
Type Competition Titles Seasons
Domestic Malaysia Premier Futsal League 1 2023
Malaysia Futsal Cup 1 2023
Continental Brunei Futsal League 1 2017

References

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  2. ^ "News - Pahang Rangers FC". 2023-12-01. Retrieved 2023-12-19.
  3. ^ "Instagram". www.instagram.com. Retrieved 2023-12-21.
  4. ^ "Instagram". www.instagram.com. Retrieved 2023-12-21.
  5. ^ "Instagram". www.instagram.com. Retrieved 2023-12-21.
  6. ^ "FAM - CMS". cms.fam.org.my. Retrieved 2023-12-21.
  7. ^ "Instagram". www.instagram.com. Retrieved 2023-12-21.
  8. ^ "FAM - CMS". cms.fam.org.my. Retrieved 2023-12-21.
  9. ^ "Instagram". www.instagram.com. Retrieved 2023-12-21.
  10. ^ Malaysia, Football Tribe (2020-01-07). "Pahang Rangers FC announce Gerard Casas as new head coach". Football Tribe Malaysia (in Malay). Retrieved 2023-12-21.
  11. ^ "Instagram". www.instagram.com. Retrieved 2023-12-23.
  12. ^ "Instagram". www.instagram.com. Retrieved 2023-12-23.
  13. ^ "Pahang Rangers Futsal Club". Pahang Rangers Futsal Club. Retrieved 2023-12-23.
  14. ^ Rajan, K. (2023-08-15). "Pahang Rangers eye double futsal crown | New Straits Times". NST Online. Retrieved 2023-12-23.
  15. ^ "Instagram". www.instagram.com. Retrieved 2023-12-23.
  16. ^ Mamat, Mohd Rafi (2023-08-15). "Pahang Rangers juara MPFL, kecewakan JDT". Harian Metro. Retrieved 2023-12-20.