The 2017 season was Sarawak's 13th season in club history and 5th season in the Liga Super since being promoted in 2014.[1]
Season Summary
After few seasons battle with bottom half finished, Bujang Senang finally bid farewell to the top flight after relegated. Bottom teams fate need to be decided until final day of the season. Kelantan did the great escape by winning 3–1 in Melaka thus secured 3 points to avoid relegation, meanwhilst Sarawak goalless draw with T Team saw the team down to Liga Perdana next term. Due to new rules and regulation regarding the FAM & AFC[clarification needed] license requirement,[2] Sarawak and Penang alongside Felda United and T-Team altogether 4 teams relegated to premier league for 2018.
Which saw Negeri Sembilan and PKNP promoted to 2018 super league replacing demoted T-team and Felda united. After Kuala Lumpur and Terengganu advanced as 2017 premier league winners and runners up. By following the AFC, FAM rules and condition Terengganu and T Team later rebrand as Terengganu FC II are disallowed to compete in same league/division since they acted as reserve team/feeder team to Terengganu FC I. The same law applied to JDT I and JDT II where they need to plays in different division to avoid matchfixing or conflict of interest.
Sarawak had bright campaign in FA Cup by trashing Misc Mifa 6–3 in second round, beating Perlis 2–1 in away fixture before drawn with Terengganu in quarterfinal, which saw them tied 2–2 on aggregate, only to be separated by penalty shoot out 4–1 win to the east coast team which saw Terengganu advanced to semi final against Kedah, eventual winner.
Dismal draw in Malaysia cup when Sarawak had to face 2 giants, JDT and Selangor, against with Terengganu in a group stage. Ngap sayot finished the group as expected in 3rd position with later winner, JDT and Selangor advanced to the next round.
Highlight of the season
Sarawak welcoming the arrival of Demerson Bruno, the survival of Chapecoense team that scheduled to play in Copa Sudamericana final unfortunately involved in air disaster. Mark Hartmann also scored a wonderful goal against Misc Mifa during FA cup match that resemble to Papiss Cisse wonder goal against Chelsea in 2012, local crowd nominated that goal for Puskas Award but nothing further action were taken. Thus denying second consecutive time for Malaysia to win the award after Faiz Subri achievement.
Background information
Sarawak had their eyes on a promising season with transfers such as Mateo Roskam and Demerson coming to help aid them in reaching the top half of the table after the previous season's unimpressive 8th-place ranking.
Source: FAM, FMLLP Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Number of goals scored. (R) Relegated Notes:
^Kelantan and T–Team was sentenced to a six-point deduction immediately on offense failed to complete the registration process Malaysian League (M-League) 2017. Later, upon careful consideration of the aforementioned appeals, Football Malaysia have decided to lift the transfer ban and reduce the deduction of 6 points to 3 points for T-Team.
^Kelantan and T–Team was sentenced to a six-point deduction immediately on offense failed to complete the registration process Malaysian League (M-League) 2017. Later, upon careful consideration of the aforementioned appeals, Football Malaysia have decided to only reduce the deduction of 6 points to 3 points for Kelantan.
