Hey pressman: What’s wrong with Malaysia’s football team?- “kalah salah, menang pun salah”

I heard about Malaysia troucing Pakistan 4-1 in an international friendly yesterday through the tv3′s 8 pm news last night. There was no highlights that time (it was understandable because it seems that the local broadcasters don’t see any point showing immediate hightlight of the national team’s matches anymore), so I was looking forward to read some spirited, encouraging comments from the local sports’ reporters who might be covering the match.

But, to my horrible dissapointment, the two english dailies I read only put down (the news were at the bottom of the second or third sports pages) the win in a small size report. Both of them were more interested in John Terry’s inavailability in the England’s qualifier against Kazakhstan.

Here’s what NST commented:

Malaysia crush Pakistan

MALAYSIA warmed up for the defence of their Merdeka Tournament title next week with a 4-1 win over Pakistan in a friendly international at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil yesterday.

National coach B. Sathianathan used the match to finalise his squad for the Oct 15-25 tournament and Indra Putra Mahayuddin did his chances of securing a spot no harm after breaking through the Pakistan defence in the 42nd minute to give Malaysia the lead.

Malaysia added three more goals in the second half through Mohamad Zaquan Adha Abdul Radzak (60th), Hairuddin Omar (70th) and Khyril Muhymeen Zambri (81st) before Pakistan scored a consolation goal through Aris Mahmood five minutes from time.

It was the first meeting between the sides in 20 years — Malaysia won 4-0 in an Asian Cup qualifier in 1988 at home the last time — and can now look ahead to facing Afghanistan, Nepal and Sierra Leone in Group A of the Merdeka Tournament.

At least, NST tried to pain a somehow proud news about Malaysian’s win, although it was in a couple of paragraph only. At least it tried to picture that the team was playing somehow ‘good’ football to earn the win.

But then, looked at how the Star reported it:

Malaysia eke out lacklustre win over Pakistan

By ERIC SAMUEL

PETALING JAYA: What a comedown. The Malaysian team, having played several tough matches in their playing tour of Slovakia recently, rounded off their run-up to the Merdeka Tournament with a lacklustre 4-1 win over Pakistan, a country more well-known for cricket than football.

So poor were the opposition that it would have been better if Malaysia had played against some of the M-League sides instead.

Pakistan, ranked 168th in the FIFA list, were barely a match for the Malaysians in the one-sided match.

Still, the 161st ranked Malaysians somehow contrived to concede a goal to Pakistan, who scored off a corner kick five minutes from time through substitute Arif Mahmood.

Malaysia had by then gone 4-0 up, with goals by Mohd Safee Sali (32nd), Mohd Zafuan Adha Abdul Razak (60th), Hairuddin Omar (70th) and Mohd Khyril Muhymeen (80th).

National coach B. Sathianathan was furious with his men for conceding a soft goal after completely dominating the game.

“I guess they went to sleep … it should not have happened,” said Sathianathan, who noted that none of the defenders challenged Arif’s header past goalkeeper Mohd Helmi Eliza Elias.

Why is it the Star putting up report like this? Not only it is demoralizing to the players, it is demoralizing to us, the fans also. It is not like that our team is at the top of the world/asia/asean, we are just even only trying to build up the team back again. When fans read this kind of ‘demoralizing’ report, more of us will not turn up at the stadium for support – and when this happens, the papers are more happily to write about the ever dwindling support for the national team.

I’m not saying that the Star reporter was wrong to pen down what exactly had happened in that match. Maybe Malaysia was playing like the kids played football in the ‘bendang’ again, but to bluntly put a picture of a worthless win will not exactly will help improve the team’s image. One more thing, is that the reporter shouldn’t happily comparing the Pakistan national team to any of the M-League sides; national team is always national team. If he (most likely) wanted to do that, might as well ask the question about why Brazil came and played against Malaysia, when they might as well faced, let say, Botafogo or Sao Paolo in the Brazilian league who maybe playing with higher quality football.

Although the national team is still in the dark, I still believe that there is still lights for the future betterment of Malaysian football.

my my arsenal!

I watched Arsenal vc Bolton late after midnight, although I need to drive 6 hours back to KL today. The feeling of deja vu suddenly hit me again after Bolton took the lead early in the first half. I was thinking maybe this was the result of ‘me’ watching Arsenal playing live!

However, after some continuos offensive manouvres, Arsenal managed to crack open Bolton’s goal after Eboue slotted a goal which I still thinking appeared offside. Fortunately, both the Soccernet and Football365 doesn’t comment at all about it today. This is quite surprising because Football365 will be one of the earliest to bang out everything wrong that Arsenal did. Bendtner made it 2 goals after connecting a cross seconds after that, and Denilson wrapped up the day with another tap from a cross in the second half.

Well, at least Arsenal won against our boogie team. I hope the relentless attacking ideas and the high work-rate will be with the team throughout the season. It seemed the team played better after the Bolton’s goal, but it was the same as the previous Arsenal squads: they only tried to play better footbal either after a goal down or after being left with 10 men on the field. Arsenal provided good attacking football yesterday, and that is what the fans want to see, and we also want the team to score and win games with that kind of football- not only just another good display without any benefial end products!

It’s a silver for Malaysia

Lee Chong Wei was out-played by Lin Dan of China in last night’s men’s finals of the olympic badminton. Played around the roars of the Chinese supporters, Chong Wei was unable to produce the scintillating performance that carried him to the finals.

Nevertheless, it was still good that Malaysia still got a medal in the olympics. The last medal was at the 1996 Atlanta from the badminton also. Congratulations to Chong Wei. At least he showed that he’s a player who can improve.

 

stupid, stupid Arsenal!

I just don’t know how to describe it…

Truthfully, Liverpool does deserved to win. But, it was not because Liverpool was good, it was because Arsenal was stupid, plane stupid! Let me tell you why:

Firstly, in the first leg of the Q-finals:

- was played at the Emirates, yet still the Gunners couldn’t use the strong home support to nail down the off-formed Reds

- had a lead by that Adebayor goal, but yet the Gunners couldn’t add one or two more to consolidate the lead

- worse still, they let the Reds to equalize from Kuyt

- and worst still some more, Bentdner, who was supposed to be an Arsenal striker, turned out to be Liverpool’s emergency goal line defender when he blocked Fabregas goal-bound shot

- and these let the score line at 1-1, thus putting the Reds in the driving seat for the 2nd leg

- but Wenger still considered it as a meaningful and spirited performance by the Gunners

Now, the 2nd leg of the Q-finals:

- Gunners managed to get another lead from Diabby’s shot (truthfully, Reina should had managed to stopped it, but God might just wanted to give some hopes for the Gunners)

- but then again, Arsenal was in a charitable mood and gave the first goal for Liverpool that night

- as if Arsenal gonna wrapped up the night in style, the Gunners defenders honoured Fernando ‘el Nino’ Torres time and space to put Liverpool en route to the next stage when he blasted the 2nd goal

- luckily, Theo ‘the unpolished gem’ Walcott burst from his own half passed 3 or 4 sleeping Reds to cross the ball for Adebayor to score the all-important away goal that certainly will take the Gunners to the next stage

- then, ALL of the Gunners became narcoleptics, letting Ryan Babbell to whiz by Eboue and Toure felt the Gunners were not charitable enough yet, and decided to make a ‘slight’ contact in the penalty box, sending Babell to the ground – penalty given – Gerrard took it – Liverpool 3 Arsenal 2

- late late surges into Liverpool box exposed the back …. one long kick got to Babbell and he slotted the final stab into Gunners goal …………………………………. !

The penalty should not been given, but yet Arsenal is a ‘specialist’ in giving out penalties. Remember Clichy, recently in the Premier League? Why must Arsenal commit Harakiri that night still irritates me. We should have been in the Semi-Finals, but yet the Gunners lost concentration at that vital moment – let Liverpool make a come back after Adebayor’s goal.

So, who’s gonna take the responsibility now? Should these young ‘superstars’ been blamed? Arsenal just broke thousands of hearts yesterday. Another empty handed season? If it is, don’t blame others, blame ourselves. Another empty European promise? The chance was there (including the finals against Barcelona) but never really taken

Yet, I believe I’m still a Gooner.

Landmark night for Gunners

<Ahsanaal> 5/3/08 5:37 am: Fabregas scored superb goal 84th minute 25 m shot…arsenal deserve 2 win..adebayor just tapped in another goal in injury time.2-0.rugi hang tk tgk-game best giler

     That was the SMS I got from my ‘die hard gunner friend’ when I woke up today in the oncall room. I was oncall when the game was played around 3 am Malaysian time and need to stay back at the hospital. Thanked God the Gunners managed to pull their self together after 3 winless matches post Man Utd drubbing of the Gunners in the FA Cup. Things were sweeter as Arsenal became the first English team to beat AC Milan at the San Siro, the place where Man Utd faltered last season. Sweeter as the Gunners had beaten the Champions League holder who lined-up their best available striking forces with Inzaghi, Kaka and Pato unleashing the strikes.

    So, today I read good news being written in Soccernet and Football365.com about Arsenal championship capabilities as the Gunners have been poundered with heavy criticisms after their slight dip in performance in the Premier League that saw Man Utd closing up the gap to 1 point. I don’t know until when these ‘sweet comments’ will last, but I’m sure praises will be upon the squad for days to come.  Congratulation Gunners!!!!

 The most popular question will be: “Will Arsenal capture the Champion League title this year?”

Everybody will confidently say yes because Arsenal has just beat the holder, and every bit of Ali and Minah will confidently praise the young squad of Arsene Wenger, because Arsenal has just did the IMPOSSIBLE!!

I also want Arsenal to win the Champion League, but I think Arsenal should put priorities into winning the Premier League again. Although Wenger still has got to put his hands around the Champions League trophy, proving his young squad’s capabilities in the Premier League will further boost his super-ego against the ‘mangkuk-ayun’ Ferguson and further shutting-up the mouth of those bloody pundits that egoistically predicted early in the season that the Gunners will surely crash without Henry. I just want them to eat back their sh** and words!!!

However, as always being showed at the Emirates: ”in Arsene we trust“, I wish Arsenal all the best in the coming rounds of the Champions League, I wish they play as well as Ahsanal told me, I wish we avoid Man Utd at least until the final, and I wish Arsenal the 2007/08 Champions League Winner 

the arsenal way!

Should I say more about this henry-replacement? or should it be adebayor as henry-replacement?

Daily sporting activity: Is it good?

  Today is a public holiday here in the state of Kedah because it marks the birthday of its sultan. So, this means a long morning nap and “aktiviti bebas” schedule for the whole family. I usually take the opportunity to play extended games of tennis during holidays, but decided to drop the activity today.

  I decided to  spend the evening with my family. One thing was that I need to look after the little one as my wife just finished her on call but gonna start another one the next day and she having a rather severe right sided headache. Then, I just wanted to take my ‘free’ evening to go for a walk with my beloved ‘budak kecik’

  I am amaze at how some people (non-professional, regular working people) manage to play their favourite sports everyday. It is not that I am against it, but, is there no other important happenings in your life that you manage to play sports everyday? Well, I would love to play tennis everyday, or even rugby or football everyday if I m still a bachelor. Truthfully, I wouldn’t mind taking the court right after work and continue with it the next day. But, when you have a wife to see, children to greet and social obligations to fullfill, the idea of daily sports becomes weird to some extent.

  Then the effects of body exhaustion. You work from 8 till 5, then you put your body through rigourous tasks and then you are unable to lift your eyelids at night after the Maghrib prayer, and before you are able to perform Isya, you are out to the dreamland. Plus the question of where are you going to push in your ‘night’ activities (for the unmarried one!).

  Don’t get me wrong! I am not against physical activities (three times weekly) as recommended by the health authorities. Yup, sports bring a lot of advantages. But is it too much can or may harm us?

   Any suggestions is much appreciated

   -Long live Wilson’s Hammer G!-

Wilson Hammer G

Today is the first day I use my new tennis racket. The old one (Wilson US Open) is already cracked and is waiting to break. I’ll put it to rest for now and wait for it to be used by my daughter if she decides to take up tennis.

   The new racket is superb!!! As superb as its price tag! But at least I got a 50% discount! Thank you Central Kedah!!!!

  Its handling is tip-top with high manouverability. My strokes greatly improved, not to say my services… aces and less less faults or double faults. Hopefully it will serve me well for a long long time

We still lead the League!

Last night was a Liverpool vs Arsenal match at Anfield. It was shown at midnight in Malaysia. I stayed up to watch it and to my horror, Liverpool led in th 8th minute from a beautiful strike of a freekick from Steven Gerrard. But, as the usual with Liverpool since the beginning of the league (perhaps?), they started to defend in numbers and relying on fast counter attacks of Torres, Kuyt and Voronin. Arsenal upped the tempo immediately after that and controlled much of the possession with beautifully constructed moves and passess. However, the Gunner still couldn’t break the Reds defence that was ably marshalled by Hyppia and Carragher. (I still think Hyppia didn’t contribute that much and Caraggher doing much of the job)

So, the first half ended with the same score, Arsenal only managed to put 2 shots on goal compared to 4 from Liverpool but having a lion share of possession of 52%. Credits must also be given to the reds because they also did made several dangerous attempts, while some attacks were made to be dangerous by Arsenal defence with trying-to-kill-yourself clearance.

Attacks is the best defence? Although trailing by one goal, the Gunners kept pushing forward and was rewarded with a fine goal when Hleb threaded the ball beautifully to the onrushing Fabregas who toed it passes the flat-footed Reina for the equalizer. Arsenal kept pushing forward for the winning goal and should had one when Fabregas long range effort struck the pole then bounced to Bentner who ballooned it over when the goal was at his mercy. Actually, Fabregas missed the same opportunity with a gapping goal in front of him when he ballooned the ball after Eboue’s strike hit the post.

So, Arsenal is back on top (of the league, of course!) and the next match against Man United will further test Arsene Wenger’s young team of their credibility to wrest the title from the champion!

 

My Choice:

 

Man of the Match: Alexander Hleb – good vision and passing tonight. Able to hold the ball so that Adebayor and Walcott was not said offside and wait for Fabregas to rush in for the goal

Spoiler of the Match: Jamie Carraggher – he pulled back Fabregas in the penalty box and got away again similar to what he did to Lescott last week!

Menu: kerepek pedas Batu Pahat, no drinks served? 

Malaysian football scene; a post asia cup review

    Malaysia started the campaign on 10th July 2007 against formidable Cina. Not much hope was given to the Malaysian team even before the tournament start. The team was placed in Group C along with China, Iran and Uzbekistan. The three other teams already had a chance to play in the previous World Cups, and several of their players are playing in European leagues.

    Nobody of a sound mind would say that our team will advance to the next stage. But this had not stop the FAM officers and some fans from dreaming that the team could at least sprang a few surprises. I must admit that I was one of the fans that still think that the team can at least hold their might against the other teams. What I did not forsee was that even the Malaysian players could not say much about their prospect other that the promises of playing out their best and not fearing the opponents. To date, no Malaysian player is able to ply their trade in any professional soccer league outside our shore. The nearest we had was when Akmal Rizal Rakhili had a temporary stint with a French 2nd Division club- FC Haguenau after ending his training stint with another French club. He was touted to be the messiah of our footballing world. Although performing quite well, he was sent home when his contract expired and he continues to play with his state club of Kedah. China has several players playing in the English Premier League, Iran has Andranik Teymourian playing with Bolton in the same league and Asia best player Ali Karimi in the Bundesliga, while Uzbekistan has Maxim Shatshikh in the Dinamo Moscow team and 2 other players in Serie A. These player are not just parking their names in the club’s roll, but are actively challenging their skills and fighting for the first XI places.

    Malaysia was able to hold their fort for the first 15 minutes against China. The Malaysians played a 4-4-2 formation. Coach Norizan Bakar said that it was supposedly the best line-up available to him at that point of time. However, I beg to differ. The centreback pairing of skipper Khaironnisam ‘Botak’ Shahabuddin and Norhafiz Zamani Misbah was such a mess. They had played together for sometime, but still did not have the understanding. They were supposed to be the best centrebacks in the country, but judging from their performance, another pairing should have been prepared. Both of them lack in height and that made the Chinese having a fun time of crossing the ball into the box. They lacked speed and was ran down multiple times by China forwards. The midfielders were in their own world. Shukor Adan and Fadzli Shaari were non-functioning entities. The wingers lost the ball with their first touch and seemed did not know where the ball should be brought to. Akmal ‘messiah’ Rizal did not have any chance and drifted out early in the game and Hairuddin Omar was not able to stamp any marks. But at least he did fight the high balls, hoping that he could at least headed in one goal similar to the one against Chelsea 3 years back. Malaysia was routed 1-5 that night with the consolation goal coming from Indra Putra after a good work from Eddy Helmi. All sorts of headlines came out the next day; NST: Say no more, Malaysia as bad as ever. Harian Metro: Tak makan nasi ke?….etc. Everybody was furious, including me, but at least my aim was achived: Malaysia did score a goal. I’m proud of that.

   Malaysia’s second game was played in the early kick-off. I missed it as I was catching a plane back after visiting my daughter. I only got the news from my brother of another bashing when I reached home. This time we let another 5 passed us. Just this time we were not able to reply any. Maxim Shatsikh scored twice, we also gave out a penalty. By now, Malaysia already let in 10 goals. Is there any of our players out there in the field, or we just put some cones for Uzbekistan to dribble? If there was any, was there a goalkeeper, defenders or midfielders? I don’t want to ask the strikers because I know they were not there that night.

    Malaysia wrapped up the campaign on 18th July 2007 against Iran. Everybody was expecting flood of goals. Iran was being lined with at least 5 prominent experience players with the other playing in the neighbouring leagues of UAE, Qatar etc. The flood gates should had been opened earlier, but God saved Malaysia. The Iranians shot were either saved, just missed the goal or hit the woodwork. However, our own skipper gave out a penalty after that. The second penalty we gave out in the tournament. Ah, I really felt it was a dubious decision. I had to concur with Shebby Singh that time. The Iranian player was acting as if being bundled from behind when he lost the challenged for the high ball. It mesmerized me that why on earth an Arabic referee was given the duty that night. It should had been someone from say Japan, Korea so that there will be no conflict of interest or bias. His linesman kept his flag down but he still point to the spot. The keeper was helpless with the penalty. The other goal came from Andranik Teymourian after a fine run of play. That was what we want to see, a fine footballing skills and technique, not another bad refering decision. I also pity the Indonesians with a bad decision that had cost them a game, and indirectly the tournament. Malaysia lost 0-2.

-Amin-

    FAM vice president Tunku Abdullah Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah stepped down after the second defeat. He cited that he had done everything he was capabled of but to no avail and it was time a new blood took over. I strongly agrees with him. He had been at the helm of Malaysian football for almost 25 years, and look at the team now: Is there any improvement? Did we ever qualify for another Asia Cup on merit? Did we manage to qualify for another Olympics? Don’t ask about the World Cup, it is another dream.

    The football scene was in the dump for the past 25 years. We had scandals after scandals, from bribery that took out one generation of footballers to indisciplined players ie ‘the disco boys’ to drug-taking professional players. Yes, we did had a time of wealth, when Dunhill poured so much money into FAM’s and state FAs coffin through their sponsorship. But where on earth did the money go? Is it towards grass roots development projects? If it so, where is the result? Why there are no young players that are good enough to play for the national team? Did the money just went into the officers’ pockets? Or the state FAs used the development money to get another import players so that their team can win Malaysia Cup? Now FAM is saying that it is going to face a financial problem after Dunhill pulled out from the sponsorship. And some the state FAs are going into the red as well… Look at Sarawak, once an up and coming giant, now they struggle to run the FA and had to organize a charity match to get some money. By the way, do anyone think any body would want to fill up the filthy sits just to watch some ‘school boys’ playing? I rather watch MCKK vs STAR match in the Premier Cup to be entertained. At least it will be real school boys playing, not just so-called professionals that played quater-heartedly.

    I think the whole upper echelons officers of FAM should call it a quit. This includes the president. But how? Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah is holding the post for as long as he lives, unless…… Coach Norizan Bakar was axed. The sacking news even made it into the Soccernet website. Hehehe, not bad for a team ranked 149th in the world.

    Everybody in the media, the critics, the fans want an overhaul of the team. My plead is that please don’t disband another national team. We had done it before. Remember when we lost 0-1 to Myanmar in the SEA Games some years back? FAM disbanded the whole national team and putting the U-23 team for all international duties. What had we achieved from that? Are the former U-23 players making an impact now? I don’t think so.

    Our players lack everything; the mental power to fight, the concentration to play, the motivation, the physical features, the stamina, the technique, the skills, the determination etc. Not many can argue back when some quaters said that they were playing like ‘school boys’. The players looked as if they were afraid to hold the ball. Are they being pressured by us? If they cannot take the pressure, why call themselves professionals? They should be amateur players, have a nice daytime jobs, and play football for fun. Maybe that way can bring back their passion for the game.

    It is of no use if we continuously bash our players. They are not fully responsible. It THE OFFICERS of the management who are at fault. Like I said, these are the FAM and state FAs. The national players became demotivated even more when we keep on saying that they are these and that. Yes, they are also responsible. But why can’t we have a larger pool of quality players? Why aren’t our players be exposed to the more challenging leagues outside. Why aren’t the state FAs promote our players to neighbouring leagues and why keep on depending on ‘awang import’?

    Japan and Korea came to learn from us back then when Mokhtar Dahari and friends were stamping their marks. ”We come to learn from Malaysia”, the Japanese and Koreans would say. We feared no one that time. We even scored against England B with a wondeful goal that would made headlines if scored at Wembly and we even won against Arsenal and Argentinian clubs. What had happened to us? Now even Singapore is making progress. Singapore had a friendly against the Soccerroos and their play was superb and was only beaten with goals in the second half. Imagine our national players pitting their skills against Harry Kewell, Mark Viduka, Tim Cahill, Bret Emerton and Mark Bresciano. Imagine that we win that game. Huh, the power of dreams? Thailand had already in front of us, and Vietnam even made it to quater finals of the Asia Cup.

    It may take another 20 years to repair 20 years of mismanagement. But it had to be done. New faces and new blood need to be given a chance. Radical changes in system should be undertaken. All might be lost for now, but all is still not lost forever. Insyaallah I’ll still be alive in 20 years time. I hope to watch Malaysia win against the world’s football powerhouse.

All hail the Tigers!