MFL Challenge Cup


The MFL Challenge Cup, previously referred to as the Malaysia Challenge Cup, is a football tournament in Malaysia that is organized jointly by the Malaysian Football League and the Football Association of Malaysia. The tournament serves as a secondary-tier cup competition for teams that are eliminated during the round of 16 of the Malaysia Cup.

History

The tournament was created for the Malaysia Super League and the Malaysia Premier League teams that did not qualify for the Malaysia Cup tournament through their league standings. The idea was mooted by the Football Malaysia in December 2017 as a solution to increase the number of competitive games. The inaugural tournament was held in 2018, with eight teams divided into 2 groups of four and playing a double round-robin system. The winners and runners-up of each group qualify to the knockout stage. The tournament is held concurrently with the Malaysia Cup, with Challenge Cup games mostly played in midweek.

Competition format

Selection of teams

For the 2018 edition, the team that finished last in the Malaysia Super League, and the sixth-placed to twelfth-placed teams in the Malaysia Premier League qualified for the tournament. From 2020 until 2023 it was not held due to COVID-19 pandemic. The FAM announced its return in 2023, featuring 8 teams eliminated in the last 16 of the 2023 Malaysia Cup.

Knockout stage

From the quarterfinals to the final stage of the competition, the matches are conducted in a two-legged format, with each team playing one match at home and another away.

Results

List of finals

Performance by team

The table shown performances by the six teams who reached the final stage of the MFL Challenge Cup.
TeamWinnersRunners-upSeasons wonSeasons runners-up
PDRM1120232024–25
Terengganu II102018—
Johor Darul Ta'zim II102019—
Selangor102024–25—
UKM FC02—2018, 2019
Kuching City01—2023

Records and statistics

Final

  • Most titles: 1
  • *Terengganu II
  • *Johor Darul Ta'zim II
  • *PDRM
  • *Selangor
  • Most appearances in final: 2
  • *UKM FC
  • *PDRM
  • Most defeats in final: 2, UKM FC
  • Biggest win in final: PDRM 0–4 Selangor
  • Most goals in final: 4
  • *UKM FC 2–2 Terengganu II
  • *PDRM 0–4 Selangor in the second leg

    Winning coaches

Top goalscorers

Awards

Player of the tournament

Officially known as MASKargo Player of the tournament for sponsorship reasons, it is awarded to the overall best player of the season.
SeasonPlayerTeam
2024–25