WHAT MALAYSIA FOOTBALL IS ALL ABOUT

Failure, if not addressed immediately, can be habit forming. It leads us to more failure and, ultimately, total ruin. Malaysian football is in that parlous state.  We had it all and we have it all, but riches which are not utilised properly still render us paupers in world football. Today, we are obsessed with all the wrong things. 

 

Sports is all about fairness, honesty, pride and passion. Fifty years after independence we are deluding ourselevs into giving excuses for failure.  All the rhetoric and promises cannot hide the fact that, after 50 years of nationhood, we are still grappling to deal with certain realities. Nothing puts it in better focus than the game which was the very soul of the nation until its decline 20 years ago. 

 

Today, we pay scant attention the Malaysia Cup and other local competitions. We have all been converted to the English Premier League, ardent devotees of a football religion practised thousands of miles away. 

 

The fault is in our changing perpectives and values and misguided social dogmas which have strayed drastically off the straight and narrow of tolerance and acceptance which once made Malaysian football great.  There is no need for insightful soul-searching or recriminations.

 

The problem, if we only choose to see it with 2020 vision, is in our changing attitudes.  The cloud over the game is that of bigotry and hypocrsiy, the refusal to accept the reality of the situation.

 

There can be no quotas in sports. Only the best will do and most nations recognise this immutable fact.  Malaysian soccer lost its lustre two decades ago and we are still trying to fool ourselves that we can polish dull granite into diamonds.

 

Just look around you. We no longer have teams worthy of total support like Man United, Liverpool or Arsenal. We  . no longer have star players who appeal to youngsters. We no longer have a national team of substance.   If we are brutally honest we would recognise that our professional league are nothing more than a social outing - a kickabout with players of scant talent.  There is no urgency, no driv, no zest, no belief. Most damning of all, there is no passion. 

 

The game is in a state of chaos governed by an association leading by disassociation. The inertia is suffocating. The states are doing their own thing, which ususally is nothing. The clubs are doing their own thing, which usually is nothing. And the schools are doing their own thing, which is, again,, nothing. All that nothing is telling on the game. 

 

 

 

 

The only way to remedy the situation is by admitting our faults. That football has been victim to human vulnerability. That we have lost sight of the game and its needs in pursuing personal objectives driven by nationalistic and political motives. 

 

That the game is no longer the glue that binds the nation. That there is no production line of talent simply because kids in the neighbourhood no longer kick the ball around together with common intent and a sense of camaraderie.  

 

That the mould that produced the likes of Mokhtar Dahair, Soh Chin Aun and M. Chandran is well and truely broken. The sense of loss is acute.   While Thailand, Singapore and Indonesia are talking positively of qualfying for the World Cup, we are still sifting through the ashes of past glories.  

 

Our recent showings are typical of the least productive sequence of results for a quarter of a century. We are routinely losing to nations without any soccer capital, like the Maldives and Sri Lanka and offering the same pathetic excuses for those humiliations.  

 

Unfortunately, the statistics don't lie. They expose the barren landscape of Malaysian football more than the sun bleached skulls of the Pol Pot's killing fields.  It is a depressing scenario. yet, besides the usual diatribe, there is no firm policy or philosopy on hand to rescue the game from the dire straits it has been steered into by careless and incompetent stewardship. 

 

The FA of Malaysia's incompetence and disconcerting indifference are central to the game's decline. They have compromsed on quality and talent creation to appease the treacherous demands of racial mores. 

 

We had, as nation, a head start on most Western countries where it came to learning about racial tolerance and living together in harmony. In fact, we had a good 800 or more years to learn and we did but we have thrown it all away.

 

So now we watch and marvel at how whites and blacks embrace each other withourt inhibition or pretence on the football field. We hardly see such open integration and brotherhood on our soccer pitches anymore. 

 

Nine of the starting 11 in the French national team are black. Most of the other European teams also have coloured players in their national teams, even Germany.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our teams propagate disintegration even as the government encourages integration.  It is the power of performance which instils confidence and thereby drives results. That is unlikely to happen until we once again have the best players, irregardleess of ethnicity, playing for the country. 

 

The truth is we have regressed. Without equality, without integration, without tearing down the walls of distrust we have built between the races, we have no hope of rejuvenating our national game.  

 

Football is all about disregarding colour and creed. That is why it is called the beautiful game. That game has grown ugly in Malaysia because we have brought racial divides into the sport. Just ask the former greats who they will tell you why we were once great. 

 

There really can be no solution to this malaise until we accept and understand our faults. We can no longer afford to gloss over our deficiencies.   There is a need to correct the weaknesses which have been allowed to become a prolonged and debilitating malaise.

 

The cycle of failure, once embarked upon, is not easily counteracted and, in consequence, success is made so much harder to revive. It becomes a habit.  There is an urgent need for a different perspective. We need to create excitement in the game again.

 

We need all the races to start playing the game again. We players who want to pursue their ambitions beyond the local leagues.   We need ambition, but above all we need that spirit of brotherhood and patriotism over-riding all other inane dogmas. 

 

We need a reality check - a brutally honest one. Unless something is done to jolt the powers that be out of their stupor and come to grips with of the realities, we will continue to live in the past. 

 

Otherwise, 50 years into nationhood we will be living a lie which will destroy whatever semblance of the game we have left.   Malaysian football has become the worst thing a sport can become - something to be endured rather than enjoyed.

 

It has run out of credit and into serious overdraft. It has lost all its credibity and become something to be vilified.   It is time for us to say enough to all the platitudes and evasions if the game is to have any hope. Enough of the ridiculous slogans and empty rhetoric - just get honest and get on with it.  

 

Let the revolution begin.

STILL CLUELESS ON COMMITTEES

 

Though the storm seems to have blown over at the Badminton Association of Malaysia, there seems to be an unhappy truce within the administration.

For its Hon. Secretary Ng Chin Chai it seems has been sidelined in the decision making process, currently handled by president Tengku Tan Sri Mahaleel Tg Ariff and his two deputies Dato Al Amin Majid and Dato Norza Zakaria.

But Chin Chai, who yielded considerable influence in the past set up, led by former president Dato Seri Nadzmi Mohd Salleh, is not too perturbed and rather plays down the issue.

“I am carrying out the responsibilities entrusted to me as Secretary and really my job is to look into the administration of BAM,” said Chin Chai when met after the signing of an MOU between BAM and the Korean BA.

“One has to understand that the current President is hands on and is on the top of things. Thus he is fully aware of what is going on.

“To be honest I play no role with regards to the national team plans and that does not concern me. In the past I was the Chairman of the Coaching and Training Committee but it is a different set-up these days.”

With regards to upholding the BAM constitution as Secretary, Chin Chai said that a Rules Committee was looking into several aspects upon been requested too by the President.

The Rules Committee comprises of Dato Jahaberdeen Mohamed Yunoos, Jagadish Chandra, Mohd Shah Hashim and Chin Chai himself.

However BAM needs to adhere to its constitution or make whole scale changes by holding an Extra Ordinary General Meeting to make amendments to its constitution.

Currently the role of the Coaching & Training Committee has been taken over by the Talent Management Group, but other vital sub-committee have yet to be formed – Development, Tournament and Finance. These are sub committee required for the successful administration of a national body and is provided for in the constitution.

Chin Chai was non-committal on the formation of these sub-committees and also refused to talk about the changes or proposals made by the Rules Committee.

“That has to be presented to the BAM Council that meets this Saturday. We will have to see what the affiliates decide on the proposals<’ added Chin Chai.

Thus it will be interesting to see if BAM adheres to its own regulations and sets up the committees as stated in its constitution.

BAM EXODUS BEGINS

The expected exodus of coaches from the Badminton Association of Malaysia has begun with the resignation of singles Chief Coach Rashid Sidek today.

Rashid who has been with BAM for the past 10 years submitted his one month notice to BAM.

"The time has come for me to go. I am not one who likes to create or be involved in controversies', said Rashid.

"It is now the policy of BAM to disregard coaches and they have gone on record to say that coaches are not important.

"Thus there is no necessity for me to be in BAM as the new structure places more importance on players and Tan Aik Mong says that coaches are not vital in his plans."

It is learnt that Rashid is also peeved at the decisions taken by Aik Mong and Razif Sidek as they act without consultation and make arbitrary decisions without really understanding the situation.

More are expected to follow Rashid out of the door soon and BAM are expected to be left in the lurch looking for replacements.

A FITTING PRESENT BY KIM SWEE'S BOYS

Malaysia won the 41^st edition of the Merdeka Tournament by defeating Myanmar 2—0 at the Darulmakmur Stadium tonight.

The scoreline was not a reflection of Malaysia’s dominance as they created many chances throught out the match but could not finish.

The win however was more satisfying given that the nation celebrates Malaysia Day on Monday. And the fans created a terrific atmosphere, refusing to budge from their seats despite the heavens opening up at halftime.

Malaysia last won the trophy in 2007. Despite making the final in 2008, the last time the Merdeka Tournament was staged, Malaysia lost 6-5 on penalties to Vietnam.

Some 25,000 fans thronged the stadium to provide the encouragement to the Malaysian team, with Ultras Malaya singing on the top of their voices throughout the match.

In somewhat a strange strategy, coach Ong kim Swee opted to play A. Tamil Arasu in a more defensive midfield role with Md Rozaimi Ab Rahman acting as a lone striker with Wan Zack Haikal aiding him as a back up striker.

That gave Myanmar the upper hand in midfield as Kyi Lin, Kyaw Zayar win and Kyaw ko Ko dominated the Malaysian central midfield of Junior Edstal and Mohd Irfan Fazail.

Malaysia had a great opportunity to go ahead in the second minute but A. Thamil Arasu somehow got the ball entangled in between his legs and the opportunity was squandered.

With Myanmar playing a high defence, Malaysia opted to catch them on the break and were nearly successful a couple of times. And off such and situation, the ball fell to Junior Edlstal who however muffed the chance, shooting wide from 15 meters with the Myanmar defence in disarray.

Malaysia made a tactical change, opting for a five-man midfield after 20 minutes and it paid dividends.

In the 28^th minute Malaysia took the lead. Wan Zack Haikal broke through on the right and his attempt was only parried by Myanmar keeper Pyaye Phyo Aungonto the path of Md Rozaimi Rahman who had the simplest of tasks of tapping into goal, much to the joy of the fans.

Myanmar nearly drew level in the second minute of time added on as Kyi Lin created space and let fly a shot that sailed dangerously close at the far post.

Wan Zack could have doubled the lead in the 56^th minute after being put through by Thamil but his shot found the side netting.

Myanmar came close in the 60^th minute with Kyaw Ko ko shooting into the side netting after being put through by Kyi Lin.

Malaysia made their first substitution in the 63^rd minute, replacing goal scorer Rozaimi with S. Sivanesan, thus pushing Thamil Arasu into a more attacking role.

And that gave Malaysia fresh impetus as they attacked relentlessly with Thamil Arasu forcing keeper Phyo Aung to use his legs to thwart an attempt in the 68^th minute.

In the 75^th minute, Irfan played a defence splitting pass to Wan Zack, whose attempt was deflected out by David Htan. From the ensuing corner Mohd Fadhli Shas rocked the bar with his header and Malaysia were denied yet again by the woodwork.

And when Junior was put through three minutes into stoppage time, he made sure that this time no woodwork will stand in between him as he sent a delightful shot into the far corner, thus sealing the tile for Malaysia.

And when the final whistle went, the nation rejoiced at Kim Swee’s boys showed that they have arrived on the big stage.

FAM TO OPT FOR TROUSSIER?

WHO WILL REPLACE KING RAJA

Former Nigeria, South Africa and Japan coachPhilippe Troussier is the leading candidate to assume the role as the Malaysian national coach should current coach Dato K. Rajagobal fails to meet the targets set by the Football Association of Malaysia.

But he is not the only top notch coach who is bidding to lead Harimau Malaysia as also in the race is former Singapore coach Radojko Avramović and Englishman BobHoughton who was most recently the head coach of India. His career has spanned over 30 years and 10 different countries

BAD WEEK FOR IMRAN

Olympic Council of Malaysia president Tunku Tan Sri Imran Tuanku Jaafar seems to be getting one bad news to another for the past week.

 

First it was when squash lost its bid to be included into the 2020 Olympics, beaten into third spot by eventual winner Wrestling and Baseball/Softball who put in a joint bid.

 

Imran was a prime supporter for the inclusion of squash but ironically his Vice President at OCM, Dato Low Beng Choo presented the case for the inclusion of Baseball/Squash at the International Olympic Council General assembly.

 

The second blow for Tunku Imran came at the elections of the International Olympic Committee where he was defeated in the first round of voting for a seat in the Executive Board that was vacated by Singapore’s Ng Ser Miang whose eight-year tearm came to an end.

 

Imran was out-voted by Canada’s Dick Pound and 1976 Montreal Olympic rowing bronze medallist Anita DeFrantz of United States of America. She went on to beat Pound, former President of the World Anti-Doping Agency, by one just one, polling 41 to his 40.

 

Then news filtered in that the members of the Commonwealth Games Federation have initiated a campaign to call for an Extra Ordinary Meeting of the CGF to re-look the proposed shifting of the CGF Headquarters from London to Kuala Lumpur.

 

This comes in wake of the failed attempt at the CGF Assembly where members unanimously opposed the decision that was conveyed to them as a “fait accompli” prior to consulting the member states in General Assembly, which is the supreme policy-making organ of the CGF.

 

As such, this decision taken by the CGF was deemed not to be in keeping with the rules of procedures and modalities of functioning of the CGF and a stay of such decisions was unanimously voted by the General Assembly, until an Extra Ordinary General Assembly meeting is convened in the near future to further discuss the issue.

 

And such a move to convey an EGM will surely be news that Imran could well rue in a week where all has gone wrong. 

 

A CLASSY PERFORMANCE BY MALAYSIA

Malaysia oozed class as they hammered Thailand 3-0 in their final preliminary round match at the Darulmakmur Stadium in Kuantan.

And with Myanmar defeating Singapore 2-0 in another match played at the Temerloh Stadium, they will take on Malaysia in what will be an intriguing clash between two teams who have stood out in the 41^st Pestabola Merdeka.

Malaysia made several changes to their starting line but key players Wan Zack Haikal and A. Thamil Arasu were left out due to injury and suspension respectively. Both are however expected back for the final on Saturday.

Coach Ong Kim Swee opted to play mostly players who were with him in Europe with three exceptions in T.Reuben, S.Sivanesan and Mohd Zubir Mohd Azmi.

“It was a good performance and it has given me a selection headache ahead of Saturday’s final. But it is a welcomed headache and I was impressed by the determination of the players fielded for the first time who wanted to prove they were worthy of a place in the starting XI,” said Kim Swee.

“We moved the ball well and I must reiterate that I pick players on their overall contribution to the team and not just because they score goals or are big names”

The two teams started of slowly, feeling each other up, with play confined mostly to the midfield area. But as minutes ticked away, Malaysia started showing more cohesion despite making as much as seven changes to their starting line-up.

Malaysia took the lead in the 11^th minute through Md Nasir Basharuddin whose shot from the edge of the box sailed through a sea of legs into goal catching Thailand keeper Arikhan Same unsighted.

Thailand had a golden chance to draw level in the 23^rd minute when Pinyo Inpinit burst through on the right but Malaysian custodian Mohd Izham Tarmizi pulled off a fine save, diving full length to send the ball around the post.

S. Sivanesan burst through the middle in the 25^th minute but with only the Thai keeper top beat, he balloned his shot over the bar.

Sivanesan atoned for his miss by setting up the second goal as he beat the offside trap and crossed to Md Rozaimi Ab Rahman who had the simplest of tasks to guide the ball into goal with Same beaten to give Malaysia a 2-0 lead in the 27^th minute.

Though Thailand made several inroads in the second half, they only came close in the 65^th minute when they were awarded a free kick at the edge of the penalty box. However the Malaysian wall stood firm to deny Kasidech Wattayawong.

Off a fast counter in the 80^th minute, Rozaimi broke through and unleasshed a shot that had goal written all over it with Arikhan beaten all the way and Malaysia had a 3-0 lead, thus pulling Myanmar into the final with them.

The goals for Myanmar were scored by Kyaw Ko Ko in the 14^th minute and 90^th minutes. Though both Myanmar and Thailand finished with four points, Myanmar sneaked through on goal difference.

MALAYSIA BOOK FINAL SPOT IN PESTABOLA MERDEKA

Malaysia booked a place in the final of the 41^st Merdeka Tournament with a come from behind 2-1 win over Myanmar at the Darulmakmur Stadium in Kuantan.

The win gives Malaysia six points with their opponents on Wednesday, Thailand on four points, courtesy of their 1-0 win over Singapore in an earlier match.

It was a workmanlike performance by the Malaysian team as they fought tooth and nail against a Myanmar side that were guilty of niggling fouls troughtout the match. Malaysia could have won more confortably had they taken the chances they created.

“It was the fighting spirit of the players that made the difference. To be honest after missing so many chances in the first 45 minutes, I too started having doubts that we could claw our way back into the game,” said coach ong Kim swee.

“But if one takes a look at our statitics, it is obvious that we create some 20 odd chances but only manage to score one or two goals.

“It was a hard fought match and now that we are in the final, I will make several changes to the line-up for the match against Thailand. There are a lot of tired legs out there and they need a break.”

Malaysia made two changes to their starting line up, preferring to field Mohammad Nazmi Faiz and Mohd Azrif Nasrulhaq instead of S.Sivanesan and T.Reuben respectively.

The inclusion of Nazmi instead of Sivanesan was expected as the former had given a good account of himself when fielded in the last 20 minutes of the match against Singapore.

As for Reuben, he looked jaded and was slow on the turn in the same match, thus the decision by Kim Swee to play Azrif.

It was Myanmar that almost drew first blood in the 15^th minute as a free kick taken by Kyaw Zayar Win was heading into the top lefthand corner but was turned around the post by Malaysian keeper Mohd Izham Tarmizi for a fruitless corner.

Malaysian had a glorious chance to go ahead two minutes later as Md Fadhli Shas met a downward header from Irfan Fazail but skied his shot with only Myanmar keeper Pyaye Phyo Aung to beat.

In the 19^th minute Myanmar were saved by the woodwork as Wan Zack Haikal’s thunderous free kick from 35 meters out rocked the crossbar with Phyo Aung completely beaten.

Wan Zack beat the offside trap in the 23^rd minute and burst through the middle but Phyo Aung pulled of a brilliant save to turn the ball around the post, a golden chance squandered.

Myanmar punished Malaysia and took a 1-0 lead in the 38^th minute as Nay Lin Tun’s header sailed into goal off a corner taken by Zayar Win. The header crept into goal as Izhmam could only palm it into goal as Mohd Zubir Mohd azmi stood watch.

Barely two minutes later, Zayar Win, the playmaker for Myanmar limped off with a calf strain and was replaced by David Htan but Myanmar held on till halftime for a 1-0 lead.

Malaysia made a double substitution within the space of a minute, bringing on Syahrul Azwari Ibrahim and Saiful Ridhuwan Selamat in place of Nazmi Faiz and D. Saarvindran respectively.

And that changed the game as in the 64^th minute Wan Zack floated in a free kick that Junior Eldstal headed across the goal, giving skipper Mohd Irfan Fazail the easiest of task of guiding the ball into an unguarded goal with Phyo Aung caught in no man’s land.

Malaysia then dominated play for the next ten minutes as Wan Zack tested Phyo Aung with another of his trademark freekicks that the Myanmar custodian could only parry away. Junior Eldstal then hit the upright in the 75^th minute, denied by the woodwork for the second successive match.

Wan Zack made no mistake from a freekick from the edge of the box, awarded after Thamil Arasu was fouled, the ball sailing into the top left hand corner, giving Malaysia a well deserved lead in the 78^th minute.

And Myanmar suffered further agony as Kyi Lin was sent off deep into injury time, for a second bookable offence.

KIM SWEE NOT LOOKING AT REVENGE

Revenge is least on the mind of Harimau Muda A coach Ong Kim Swee as his team prepares to take on Myanmar in their second match of the 41^st Merdeka Tournament the Darulmakmur Stadium in Kuantan tomorrow night.

For all Kim Swee wants is a decent performance from his charges and three points that will move them closer to a place in Saturday’s final.

The soft spoken coach was responding to questions from the Media who wanted to know if revenge was the key word since Myanmar had defeated Malaysia 2-1 last year in the AFC Under 22 Asian Cup

“Revenge to me is a bad word. We should not be to focused on that but in turn play well to get a positive result,” said Kim Swee at a pre match press conference.

“We need to take positives from the defeat and learn from it. Let us not get worked up in gaining revenge for we must also look ahead as we will also face Myanmar in the Sea Games this December.

“This Myanmar team is far better then the side we faced last year so I expect a closer match. They have the advantage of having trained together as a team while we are in a transition period as we only have been together for a week.”

Kim Swee was particularly impressed by the performances of Kyaw Zayar Win, Kyi Lin and Kyaw Ko Ko whom he deemed as potential match winners and the players who are likely to give the most problems to the Malaysian team.

“Zayar Win has good vision and is their playmaker while Kyi Lin has good dribbling skills and eliminates opposing defenders well. As for Ko Ko, he is fast with the ball and can cause damage if left unchecked,” said Kim Swee.

He added that changes are likely in his team line-up against Myanmar and did not discount the possibility of even playing a different tactical game.

“What we have to realise is that we need to be mentally strong in this clash and not make mistakes in defence that will not go unpunished,” said Kim Swee.

“While I am happy with the overall performance of the players against Singapore, that is not a true reflection of our ability as we can play better. The important thing is that the players too realise this and I am confident they will raise their level of play.”

While the coach sounded optimistic, Wan Zack Haikal, who missed a penalty against Singapore, was not too happy with his performance in the match.

“I am sorry for missing the penalty but that did not affect my performance. I felt that overall I did not play as well as I am capable off and vow to put up a better performance against Myanmar,” said Wan Zack.

“ We must be wary of the tactical approach of the Myanmar side as they play a tight game both in midfield and defence.”

Meanwhile Junior Eldstal who made his Harimau Muda A debut in the match against Singapore is looking forward to strutting his stuff against Myanmar.

“ Myanmar are a good side from what I saw against Thailand and I believe they will come out with guns blazing against us,” said Eldstal who was denied a goal by the bar in the match against Singapore.

“Football is a team sport and we need to work together to achieve results. I am capable of playing better and hopefully with a dry pitch we can hold our own against Myanmar.”

MALAYSIA EDGE SINGAPORE

Malaysia opened the campaign in the 41^stMerdeka Tournament by carving out a 1-0 win over traditional rivals Singapore at the Darul Makmur Stadium in Kuantan.

Despite a clinical display, Malaysia failed to make use of the chances they created against a side they had defeated 3-1 in the 2007 Merdeka Tournament.

The Malaysia squad received a boost when Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak spared time to meet the players in the dressing room before the match.

But once on the pitch, the team showed the were all business and they dominated the match but were guilty of squandering the chances, even to the extent of missing a penalty and taking advantage of the fact that Singapore played with a player less for most of the second half.

The match was played in a steady drizzle and both teams found it difficult to adapt to the heavy pitch conditions.

Singapore adapted well to the conditions as Quak Jun Yi forced Malaysian keeper Md Izham Tarmizi into a diving save as early as the second minute. And in the 7^th minute, Quak ghosted past T.Reuben but failed to connect much to the relief of the Malaysian defence.

That awoke Malaysia from their slumber as they moved the ball onto both flanks and pumped in crosses. Skipper Mohd Irfan Fazail then Singapore custodian Muhammd Syazwan Buhairi with a free kick from 30 meters out which was punched to safety in the 14^th minute.

Singapore nearly took the lead a minute into injury time as Muhammad Khairul Nizam burst through the middle but Izham was equal to the task as he palmed the ball out for a fruitless corner.

Malaysia came out looking refreshed and took a minute to go 1-0 ahead as Thamil Arasu burst through the left and coolly slotted the ball past an onrushing Syazwan in the 46^thminute.

Malaysia was awarded a penalty in the 55^th minute and Singapore reduced to 10 men, as Muhammad Afiq Yunos was red carded for handball. But Wan Zack Haikal’s attempt was a tame one and easily saved by Syazwan.

Malaysia were denied yet again in the 83^rd minute as a good buildup involving Thamil Arasu, Wan Zack and Fadhli Shas saw the ball played to Putera Nadher Amarahan whose shot bounced off the upright with Syazwan beaten all the way.

Though Malaysia tried to add a second, they were thwarted with poor finishing and superb goalkeeping by Syazwan.