Malaysia -v- Chelsea

Tonite, Malaysia will go all out against Chelsea. On paper and on pitch, off paper and off pitch, everything is working against us. Our football team is nowhere if we were to compare them with Chelsea. The value of anyone Chelsea player is worth more than our national team. Taking Frank Lampard for example, his new monthly salary (reportedly to be at £150,000.00 per week) alone is more than our players (jointly) annual salary (including the salary that is still outstanding).
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Once in every few years, we have world class football team came to Malaysia and played against our national team. We have had the teams like Manchester United, Arsenal, England and even Brazil played against our national side. To the team like Man U, Arsenal and Chelsea, they are here more on promotion and marketing side as well as to warm up after taking a short break. But what do we get from all the matches that we have had against there great teams? Exposure? The word “exposure” is too synonym with our football team. After finishing all the matches in any tournament, without any convincing results, the management was fast to say that it was a good exposure. I think our football team has had too much exposure and yet, they are still unable to produce the result. Something is wrong somewhere and the local football fans (if any) realized what went wrong but not the FAM. FAM only knows to point finger to the players and especially the coach every time the team fails to produce the desired results.
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How serious is our players for the match against Chelsea? I remember when Malaysia played against Man U, the Malaysian skipper, Ahmad Shahrul Azhar was seen running towards David Bekham, as soon as the referee blown the final whistle, to exchange jersey with him and the then team Manager, Ibrahim Saad was seen laughing while looking at the skipper. Perhaps, towards the final minutes, all Malaysian players were thinking of getting the jersey of certain players. During the match, our players were seen to be very humble as opposed to their opponents. Of course they (the opponent) are great players but once they (our player) are on the pitch, there is no more room to respect the opponent. When they gave too much respect to the opponents, they can’t play well (ooops, after all they do not play well even if they do not show respect to the opponents). I remember watching one Malaysian player who brought David Beckham down and instead of chasing the ball, he helped Beckham to stand up.
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Tonite, according to Malaysia coach, Sathianathan (he was the national youth coach before being appointed to be the national coach by the President of FAM in the dressing room after the youth team recorded a good result, if I am not mistaken in the Merdeka Cup…now you know how FAM appoint their coach), the Malaysian team will use the format of 4-1-4-1, which means there will be only one striker with another four to assist him and one midfielder and four defenders. This is a new format for the Malaysian team who has been using the format of 4-4-2 and 4-2-4. The coach must have his own reason for using the new format. Looks interesting if the players can translate the formation into reality. But if the players play as they normally do, there is no need for the coach to have this formatting whether it is 4-4-2 or 4-2-4 or 4-5-1 or 4-1-4-1 because after 20 minutes, the Malaysian team will play 10-0-0.
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Something needs to be done to revive our football team. I know what need to be done. You know what need to be done. Only the FAM does not know what need to be done because what need to be done is to get rid of the FAM management and replace them with the new professional management who is free from other commitment.

The Sportsmanship of Our Footballer

Two (2) mornings ago, I woke up early in the morning to watch the first semi final of EURO2008 between Germany and Turkey at Channel 817, which was won by Germany by a very slim margin of 3-2. But I am not here to discuss on or analyse the match. It seems that there were some technical problems, which resulted in the interruption of the live telecast. I switched to channel 103 (TV3) hoping that I could watch the match but TV3 also have the same problem. So, I switched to channel 812 and watched ESPN Sports News (Malaysia version).

There were so many sports news reported like Koo Kien Keat returning to training after accident, so on and so forth but what really captured my attention was the highlight news on Malaysia Cup match between Selangor and Sarawak, which was won by Selangor 3-1. Selangor's goals were scored by Frank Seator, Safee Sali and Akmal Rizal. However, none of the three (3) goals was celebrated by the Selangor's players. The first goal was by Frank Seator. After he had scored the goal, he sort like jogging to one corner of the field and raised his hands towards the crowds and no other Selangor players went to celebrate with him. Then he went back to the centre of the field. The seconf goal was scored by Safee Sali. The same incident, only one or two Selangor's players went to him sort of "gimme five" and I did not expect much when Akmal Rizal scored the third goal for Selangor. There were two other Selangor's player close to Akmal after he scored the goal. One player went to take the ball from the goal and the other went back straight to Selangor's half. There was no celebation at all. The way the Selangor's players reacted to the three goals as if they have scored tem goals. There were no excitement when their team members scores the goal.

Looking at the way the Selangor's players celebrate (actually I do not deem that to be a celebration) everytime they scores a goal (in fact not only Selangors' players but also other players from other teams in Malaysia), it serves as an evidence that there is no more excitement in our local football. I mean, when the players are not excited, what else can you expect from the fans? Their lack of enthusiasm also shows their lack of desire to win and to be successful. They were aimless in their games. I do not think they know what they are looking for? And no wonder our nation's FIFA ranking keep on deteriorating everythime FIFA issue the new ranking.

In the end, the lack of enthusiasm and desire to win on the part of the players and the unprofessionalism attitude on the part of the management brings disaster to our football. Our football is not going to experience the old glory days it used to have if the management and the players remain in the same attitude. Our football is dead unless we do away with all the deadwoods in our football's associations.

The key word here is the attitude. To be successful, we need to have the right attitude and at the moment, I do not see any of our football players and their management teams are having the right attitude to succeed.

If you want to see players with so much of enthusiasm in football, watch the match between Switzerland and Portugal in EURO2008. The Swiss went into the match realising that they were already out of the tournament. They played for their dignity after having lost the first two (2) matches to Rep Cech and Turkey. In the end, they won the match by beating Portugal 2-0. Look at the way they celebrate their goals. Simply amazing. The Swiss may be out of the tournament but with the right attitude and always hunger for victory, do not be surprise if they can become a Champion one day. Just like Greece did in EURO2004.

It Is Time for EPL Again

The Euro 2008 is not yet over. It has not even completed the group phase but he EPL has come out with the fixtures for its 2008/2009 season. And here I bring to you the fixtures involving Manchester United. Manchester United has a tough opening with Chelsea and Liverpool are waiting for them on 13th and 20th September 2008, that will be for the fourth and fifth matches. Though it is tough opening, I think it is to a great advantahe for Manchester United to have Chelsea and Liverpool at the early stage, as they will be palying with less pressure. Click here for full fixtures http://www.manutd.com/default.sps?pagegid={34009B66-8C50-42F4-816F-CE57868EDE49}&page=1

Of Malaysian Football (Part 2)

This is a continuation of my earlier posting on the same topic on 29th April 2008. Tonight when I was watching TV3 news, it was reported that the organisation of Champions Youth Cup (CYC) will be determined tomorrow when the Minister of Sports goes to meet (menyembah) the President of FAM. My goodness!!! I suppose, when it comes to sports, the Minister should be higher than the sports associations and that the Minister should be able to overule any decision made the sports associations.

But the news report that said that the Minister is going to menyembah (meet up with) Tuanku (the President of FAM) shows that the Minister is a subject of the FAM President when it is supposed to be the other way around. With that, I am very sure that the Minister will concur with whatever the President is going to say because to go against the wish of the Sultan is biadap (rude). This is the problem when you have the royalties to head the association because they do not know or pretend not to know how to diffrentiate between their position as the royalties and their post in the association. In the end, there is no way our sports are going to excel.

On another note, it is highly advisable for the Sultans in Malaysia not to hold any post in any sports association in Malaysia, as it may subject them to criticism and indirectly lower their status and image among the Malaysians.

Champions League Final - Man United Are the Champion

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(Man United won 6-5 after penalty shootout)




HERO

VILLAIN

It is over. Man United prevails over Chelsea. It was a very interesting game. Both teams played very well. United had few golden opportunity to score but it was wasted. Chelsea had two tries that hit the goal post. It was also full of drama with few yellow cards were given to players from both teams and one red card given to Didier Drogba. But Man United could not take the advantage, as it was 4 minutes before final whistle that Drogba was given the marching order. It was full of tense and excitement. In the end, it was the luck factor that decided the winner and the luck was on Man United side. Both teams deserved to be in the final.

Well, it is worth to wake up at 2am and stay awake till 6am.

Glory Glory Man United

Glory Glory Man United

Glory Glory Man United

And the reds are marching on on on

Who is the Champion?

Glory Glory

Man United are Champion

The season is over, the Champion has been annouced officially. After going through 38 games, with 27 wins, 6 draws and 5 lossses, scoring 80 goals against 22, Man United finally was crowned the EPL Champion last night. A night of glory.

Click here for EPL table http://www.manutd.com/default.sps?pagegid={EA8B631F-F522-4CF7-924F-A6B215534EA5}

Of Malaysian Football

This is the excerpts of today’s Utusan Malaysia report on statement by the President of FAM: -

Pemain-pemain bola sepak profesional negara ini harus mencontohi sikap pemain-pemain bola sepak Afrika yang amat mementingkan disiplin dan prestasi daripada meletakkan kepentingan diri semata-mata.

Presiden Persatuan Bola Sepak Malaysia (FAM), Sultan Ahmad Shah bertitah, sikap sanggup menerima rasuah atau terlibat dengan gejala tersebut bukan hanya akan memusnahkan masa depan mereka tetapi juga nama baik negara.

"Untuk menjadi pemain profesional, pemikiran juga mesti profesional. Tengok pemain-pemain Afrika, mereka berdisiplin dan bermain bersungguh-sungguh kerana bagi mereka ini mata pencarian."

"Mereka bukan sahaja berusaha mengharumkan nama negara tetapi dapat mewakili kelab-kelab ternama di England," titah Sultan Pahang.

What a joke from the President of FAM…oops! I don’t understand why he was referred to as Sultan of Pahang when he was talking in his capacity as the President of FAM. I sincerely believe that our newspapers need to really differentiate the status of the person who talks. To refer him as the Sultan of Pahang when he talks about our football in his capacity as the President of FAM is not only misleading but also wrong. In fact, it can create fear among the public to criticize the President because they are not sure if they may be charged for insulting the Sultan when in actual fact, they are just condemning the President of FAM. Well, here, I am going to criticize the President of FAM and not the Sultan of Pahang.

First of all, I wonder why in Malaysian sports, it is a must to have either Sultans/royalties or politicians as the President or office bearers? I wonder why? To have these people around does not help us in improving our sports. Not at all. I do not see any good reason or just a simple reason to have these people around. The FAM President said that to become a professional player, you must think like one. Let me tell this FAM President who has been holding the post for such a long time and do no good to our national football team. If you want them to become professional player, having them to think like one is not a priority. It is the utmost important to have the professional management and get the management team think like professional. Professional in this context means you do nothing than football. We need someone who thinks nothing but football. But what we have are all these politicians and the royalties who have to think of so many other important and not so important things than football and perhaps, football is the least thing that comes to their mind. As for the FAM President, what credentials that he has to enable him to sit in that post for such a long time? I wonder.

He (I mean the FAM President) also asked the players to look at those African players in term of their professionalism and discipline and set them as an example. Oh my goodness! Don’t tell me this President of FAM does not have the ability to think like a President. Before asking the players to look at the African players, I think the President and the gang have to look at the African Football Associations first and learn from them on how they build such a strong football teams. Learn from them whether they have any royalties or politicians heading the FAs. If Africa is too far for him (the President), just look at England (well, I believe the President always travel to England). Does Queen Elizabeth hold any post in their FA? Or Prince Charles or any of his two sons? The answer is NO. They leave football to the professionals to manage them and then only they can produce the results…Oooops! In Malaysia, FAM does produce results but in a humiliating way.

Avram Grant in Malaysia?

Chelsea is coming to Malaysia. As an Islamic country with no diplomatic relationship with Israel, certain quarters objected to the presence of Avram Grant, Chelsea's Manager in Malaysia with the team because he is from Israel. Also Tal Ben Haim, Chelsea's defender, who is also from Israel. It is either Chelsea comes without the duo or they do not come here at all.

I do agree with those who objected, not because I am a fan of Man U, but because of what Israel has done to Palestine so far. Also because of no diplomatic relationship with Israel.

Unfortunately, our government, I mean the Islam Hadhari government which is also the Chairman of OIC allows the duo to be in the country. My goodness. Hamid Albar said that sports should not be politicised.

Let me ask few questions: -

(1) During the last World Cup in Germany, the President of Iran was not allowed to enter Germany to watch the Iranian football team because of the nuclear issue. Anybody makes noise? Did any of Malaysian Ministers as the Chairman of OIC ever condemned such a move as politicising the sports. The answer is NO.

(2) Are we really starving to have Chelsea in Malaysia. Can't we live without Chelsea in Malaysia this year? Or at least until they have no Israelis in their team?

To me, when we have no diplomatic relationship, we should not allow our citizen to be in that country and vice versa for any reason whatsoever. We need to be firm with our stance. Put it this way, the western would not mind to do such thing but the Muslim leaders always have some reservation. No wonder they dare to insult Islam because we as a Muslim, are not certain in our stance.

Bola Sepak dan Rasuah

Berikut adalah petikan laporan akhbar dalam Mingguan Malaysia semalam: -

Presiden FAM

Baginda kesal dan terkejut dengan perkembangan di Sarawak yang dianggap tidak sepatutnya berlaku dalam sukan bola sepak negara.

"BPR (Badan Pencegah rasuah) harus menyiasat dengan terperinci. Persatuan-persatuan bola sepak setiap negeri juga harus membuat siasatan dalaman mengenai perkara ini.

"FAM tidak mahu penyakit (rasuah) ini mencemarkan maruah bola sepak negara," titah baginda.

"FAM akan ambil tindakan sekiranya didapati ada pemain yang dibuktikan terlibat dengan penyakit ini."

"Mereka adalah pemain profesional dan tidak sepatutnya terlibat dalam kegiatan yang mencemarkan maruah bola sepak negara.

"Pemain selalu diingatkan supaya tidak mendekati penyakit ini kerana ia sangat memalukan maruah bola sepak negara di peringkat antarabangsa. FAM akan ambil tindakan jika ada pemain yang terlibat," tegasnya.

Secar jujurnya saya terkejut yang Presiden FAM terkejut dengan isu rasuah ini. Ia bukan sesuatu yang baru. Selepas gejala rasuah teruk melanda arena bolasepak Malaysia (yang tak maju mana pun walau tanpa gejala rasuah) sekitar 1990-an, apa langkah drastik yang diambil oleh FAM bagi memastikan ia tidak berulang?

Bagi saya, yang penting ialah mengenal pasti mengapa pemain bola sepak Malaysia perlu menerima suapan? Suapan sentiasa berhubung kait dengan wang. Wang! Isu yang menarik. Acap kali kita mendengar pemain-pemain bola sepak di negara ini tidak dibayar gaji selama berbulan-bulan lamanya dan setiap kali itu jugalah FAM akan tampil selaku penyelamat. Pemain bola sepak juga adalah manusia biasa. Mereka ini adalah pemain profesional yang bermakna mereka menjadikan bola sepak sebagai sumber pendapatan mereka. Maka, apabila mereka bermain tanpa dibayar gaji, adakah salah mereka sepenuhnya sekiranya mereka terlibat dengan gejala rasuah? Saya tidak menghalalkan rasuah di sini, tetapi sebelum kita menghukum mereka atas tuduhan rasuah, adalah lebih kita menghukum persatuan bola sepak negeri yang gagal membayar gaji pemain. Mencegah lebih baik dari mengubati. Menghukum pemain semata-mata, tidak bermakna kerana ia sekadar mahu mengubati dan memastikan persatuan negeri membayar gaji pemain setiap bulan adalah tindakan pencegahan.

Presiden FAM juga mengatakan yang sebagai pemain profesional, mereka tidak sepatutnya terlibat dalam gejala rasuah. Apa gunanya mempunyai pemain profesional jika pentadbiran persatuan negeri dan FAM sendiri tidak profesional. Bagi saya antara ciri utama profesional ialah mengotakan apa yang dijanjikan iaitu membayar gaji seperti mana yang dinyatakan di dalam kontrak. Jadi jika FAM dan persatuan bola sepak negeri sendiri tidak profesional, janganlah diharapkan mereka ini mampu melahirkan pemain profesional. Ibarat ketam mengajar anaknya berjalan.

Mengapa FAM perlu malu di peringkat antarabangsa dengan gejala rasuah yang melanda. Bagi saya mereka perlu lebih malu dengan kedudukan ranking pasukan bola sepak Malaysia kini. Jika dilihat dari segi infrantruktur, Malaysia seharusnya tidak mempunyai masalah untuk menjadi pasukan yang disegani, jika tidak di Asia, di Asia Tenggara sudah pasti. Yang berlaku adalah sebaliknya. Di Asia Tenggara sendiri pun pasukan Negara masih terkial-kial. Pemain dan jurulatih silih berganti. Namun Presiden dan pucuk pimpinan masih orang yang sama. Jadi siapa punca masalahnya? Jawapan jelas di depan mata, cuma mereka sengaja membutakan mata untuk tidak melihatnya.

Bekas Setiausaha Agung, FAM (Ibrahim Saad)

"Saya merupakan orang pertama yang membuat laporan berhubung masalah rasuah dalam bola sepak yang berlaku pada pertengahan tahun 1990-an."

"Berdasarkan pengalaman daripada skandal tersebut, kalau ada satu atau dua pasukan yang terlibat dalam rasuah, ada banyak lagi pasukan yang terlibat."

"Rasuah dalam sukan ini tidak mungkin hanya melibatkan dua pasukan sahaja."

Bangga betul beliau dapat menjadi hero dalam usaha "menyelamatkan" maruah bola sepak negara. Betul ke beliau orang pertama yang membuat laporan dulu? Kalau betul, baguslah. Tapi, selepas membuat laporan, apa tindakan yang beliau ambil bagi memastikan perkara sama tidak berulang?

Timbalan Perdana Menteri

Tindakan segelintir pemain bola sepak yang mengamalkan rasuah dalam sukan itu dianggap tidak mempunyai semangat patriotisme.

Sambil memandang serius gejala itu, Timbalan Perdana Menteri, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak menegaskan, amalan rasuah yang dilakukan oleh pemain terbabit akan menyebabkan usaha kerajaan untuk membangunkan mutu bola sepak negara terjejas.

"Ini sesuatu yang mencemarkan sukan bola sepak negara dan perbuatan ini menjejaskan integriti permainan itu sendiri."

"Hasrat kita untuk memajukan bola sepak tidak akan tercapai jika wujudnya gejala rasuah dalam sukan ini," katanya.

Amat senang bagi seoang TPM untuk melabel seseorang itu sebagai seorang yang tidak membunyai semangat patriorisme. Ingin saya tanyakan di sini dari sudut apakah beliau mengatakan mereka ini tidak bersemangat patriorisme? Adakah kera amereka ini pemain bola sepak ataupun kerana mereka mengamalkan rasuah? Tidak mungkin semata-mata mereka pemain bola sepak, mereka ini tidak bersemangat patrioriseme. Jadi saya percaya kenyataan yang dibuat oleh TPM adalah kerana mereka ini mengamalkan rasuah.

Jika dilebarkan jaringnya, maka boleh saya simpulkan bahawa bagi TPM, semua orang yang mengamalkan rasuah tidak bersemangat patriotrisme.

Persoalannya, tidakkah membayar pengundi untuk balik kampong mengundi dengan mengharapkan mereka ini mengundi BN adalah satu amalan rasuah? Jawapannya juga jelas di depan mata. Oleh itu, bolehlah saya simpulkan di sini yang kebanyakkan ahli politik dalam BN juga tidak mempunyai semangat patriorisme.

Cuma satu yang saya harapkan. Jangan dijadikan isu rasuah sebagai punca kemerosotan mutu bola sepak Negara.

Down to Two

It is now a two-horse race with only Man United and second place Chelsea left to fight for EPL title. Let us join our hands to bid farewell for Arsenal. See you next season. With nine points clear behind Man United and with just four games left. Mathematically, Arsenal is still on the run but they need to depend too much on miracle. They need to win all their remaining four games (possible), which will entitled them for 12 points and at the same time hoping for Man United to lose all their remaining four matches and for Chelsea to lose at least three of their last remaining matches (impossible). So, logically and realistically, we can write off Arsenal chance for the title.

Well, some teams choose to be the leader throughout the season and some teams choose to emerge as the winner at the end of the day.

Again, no trophy to display in the trophy cabinet. Though early of the season, Arsenal targeted to be the treble winners (just like Man United in 1998/1999 season), which they have dashed their dream, they still have number three with them at the end of the season i.e. third place. So, for Arsenal fans out there, accept the fact. Try again next season. There is always next season for every season. If William Gallas can accept the lost (man! He did not cry last night!!!), I am sure the fans can accept too.

See ya next season…

Glory Glory Man United
Glory Glory Man United
Glory Glory Man United
And the red are marching on on on

Clash of the Titans, part 2 - Who has the last laugh???

Finally…the wait is over…Man U outclassed archrival Arsenal in a very impressive and entertaining way. My prediction? Though the end result was correct but the score wasn’t. Reason? Because, when I made my prediction, I still have little respect for Arsenal…I was wrong when I make the prediction... So, immdediately after the match, 3 smses were sent to my Arsenal and Liverpool friends. Liverpool? Ooops, Liverpool was thrashed out by Barnsley at their home ground…So, it should be a double-joy for me…hahaha!!!! But the saddest part, come to the last eight, only 2 top teams in the league i.e. Chelsea and Man U are still in the run…the Final match could be a repeat of last season final or between one of the top two against other teams still in the run (which, on paper, we can predict who is going to be the winner). Just hoping for repeat of last season Final. So, who had the last laugh?????

Clash of the Titans

A match that is not to be missed. It is a do-or-die match for Man U when they play Arsenal early tomorrow morning in FA cup match. A match that Man U definitely can't afford to lose, as they are now trailing Arsenal by 5 points in the second place.

This afternoon I travelled back to my hometown, Melaka. About 1km after I left my house, suddenly I realised that I have forgotten to bring back my astro smart card. Without any second thougt, I made a u-turn to my house to take the astro smart card. My wife was not happy, as we were already late to attend my friend's wedding in Melaka. Well! What to do sayang? You are married to a football fan and to be exact, Man U fan. Bear with me.

When I left Maybank, I missed 1 thing, that is "perang mulut" with those fans of Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool and last but not least Spurs. It was always nicer when Man U won any match against those teams or any of those teams losses their match, as it means I would have the upper hand in our "war". But that was history and one my nice memories in Maybank, as in my new office, there is only one football fan and that friend of mine is a fan of none others than the great team, Man U. So, while it is good to have a "teammate", I must admit that it is pretty boring, as I do not have a "quarrel partner".

Going back to the match, it is a match that I can't miss to watch. Come on Man U! Lets win this crucial match, otherwise I'll receive sms from my Arsenal friend and I do not want that to happen.

My prediction? Man U (2) Arsenal (1)

Glory Glory Man Utd
Glory Glory Man Utd