Will Malaysia finally win a World Championship title in badminton this year? Of course they can with our best bet of Lee Chong Wei in singles and Koo Kien Keat and Tan Boon Heong in doubles. All said and done, they are also Malaysia's best hope for the country's first gold medal at the Olympics.
Perhaps the golden feeling for Malaysian sports in badminton would be felt this weekend at Wembley Arena, the venue for both this year's World Championships and the London Olympics, next year. Not matter what the critics might say, I truly believe that Kien Keat and Boon Heong has as good a chance as Chong Wei to win the World Championship title on Sunday.
However, studying at the result of KKK-TBH's win (21-6, 20-22, 21-15) over China's Liu Xiolong and Qiu Zihan earlier this morning, our Malaysian pair are still bogged by what the local media would generalise as "inconsistent". It is more than inconsistency, surely there are elements of lacking in concentration (focus), complacency or being plain "fancy", especially on the part of Kien Keat. After winning the opening set 21-6, one would imagine KK and BH's superiority and experience to wrap up the match in straights. But no. They lost the second game, 22-20, to bring us back some of the painful memories of their defeat in other major tournaments that we have watched 'live' on television. KK and BH got their act together to win 21-15 to book a place in the third round against Chen Hung Ling-Lin Yu Lang tomorrow. KK-BH who are the 4-th seed, should have no such problems against the Taiwanese pair and let's hope that they know how to stay calm before stinging an attack to grab the points during crucial rallies.
Chong Wei must also be at his best and not take lightly the aggressive game approach by Korea's Park Sung Hwan to book his place in the quarter-finals. Chong Wei and KK-BH are good enough to reach the final at least. Malaysia's first title at the World Badminton Championships, and the Olympics, are perhaps just around the corner..somewhere at the Wembley Arena!
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
First XI calculations for Rajagopal
Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) have announced 25 players selected for the national squad for two (meaningless?..and now cancelled) friendly matches this month, including one against Oman. Here are among the possibilites and could be's of our national football team following their most dissapointing exit by Singapore in the 2014 World Cup qualifiers last week:
(Including some notes for Datuk K Rajagopal):
Ashaari Shamsuddin: Not sure about his attitude during training sessions but Ashaari's goal-scoring abilities are proven in the Malaysian league or at international level. A beautiful finish against Indonesia in that AFF first leg semi-final at Bukit Jalil, should have been enough to convince us that he is a first XI material. Ashaari looks like an individualist at times, but his goal instincts and finishing technique were clearly missed against Singapore. Never mind his loner kind of attitude during training.
Badrol Bakhtiar: Badrol's considerable work rate and an eye for goal were not really appreciated by Rajagopal. No doubt the Kedah player struggled against the matches against Taiwan after coming off from an injury plagued season. However, Badrol was still good enough to see action against Singapore. On a hind-sight, Badrol is a better choice than fellow SEA Games gold medallist, Fakri Shaarani.
Ismail Faruqi: He was boo-ed by the crowd against Singapore. Faruqi is that kind of player; love him or hate him. I certainly love his courage and confidence in taking on the Singapore players, even in tight situations. A wee bit too much at times; hence the jeer! However, Faruqi can bring a lot of difference to our national team attacking play from mid-field which were at times, too predictable.
Nor Hafiz Zamani Misbah: Zamani has not really proven his real talents with the national team, mainly hampered by injury or the bashings by China, Iran and Uzbekistan when he was a team member in the 2007 Asian Cup. Still Zamani's reading of the game can provide the calming influence which are badly needed to strengthen the defence. Many were convinced by Zamani's ability to hold the defence as proven against Chelsea on July 21.
Farizal Marlias: Goalkeeper on a comeback mission. Also played against Chelsea and marked his return as a national team member with some fine saves to deny the likes of Kalou, Anelka and Drogba. Khairul 'Apek" Fahmi seems to be the number one No 1 at the moment but Farizal is set to replace Sharbini Allawi as Malaysia's number two goalkeeper.
Datuk Rajagopal's line-up for the national team's first XI in the two matches against Singapore were questioned by some die-hard fans. Lets hope Rajagopal really look into various options before deciding to stick only to his 'trusted' players. The national team that did well in the SEA Games and the Asean Championships, need a different dimension now. Also sincerely hope that the so-called football reporters in the country understand the transformation needed to make the Malaysian team stronger and able to play football with a higher level of quality.
(Including some notes for Datuk K Rajagopal):
Ashaari Shamsuddin: Not sure about his attitude during training sessions but Ashaari's goal-scoring abilities are proven in the Malaysian league or at international level. A beautiful finish against Indonesia in that AFF first leg semi-final at Bukit Jalil, should have been enough to convince us that he is a first XI material. Ashaari looks like an individualist at times, but his goal instincts and finishing technique were clearly missed against Singapore. Never mind his loner kind of attitude during training.
Badrol Bakhtiar: Badrol's considerable work rate and an eye for goal were not really appreciated by Rajagopal. No doubt the Kedah player struggled against the matches against Taiwan after coming off from an injury plagued season. However, Badrol was still good enough to see action against Singapore. On a hind-sight, Badrol is a better choice than fellow SEA Games gold medallist, Fakri Shaarani.
Ismail Faruqi: He was boo-ed by the crowd against Singapore. Faruqi is that kind of player; love him or hate him. I certainly love his courage and confidence in taking on the Singapore players, even in tight situations. A wee bit too much at times; hence the jeer! However, Faruqi can bring a lot of difference to our national team attacking play from mid-field which were at times, too predictable.
Nor Hafiz Zamani Misbah: Zamani has not really proven his real talents with the national team, mainly hampered by injury or the bashings by China, Iran and Uzbekistan when he was a team member in the 2007 Asian Cup. Still Zamani's reading of the game can provide the calming influence which are badly needed to strengthen the defence. Many were convinced by Zamani's ability to hold the defence as proven against Chelsea on July 21.
Farizal Marlias: Goalkeeper on a comeback mission. Also played against Chelsea and marked his return as a national team member with some fine saves to deny the likes of Kalou, Anelka and Drogba. Khairul 'Apek" Fahmi seems to be the number one No 1 at the moment but Farizal is set to replace Sharbini Allawi as Malaysia's number two goalkeeper.
Datuk Rajagopal's line-up for the national team's first XI in the two matches against Singapore were questioned by some die-hard fans. Lets hope Rajagopal really look into various options before deciding to stick only to his 'trusted' players. The national team that did well in the SEA Games and the Asean Championships, need a different dimension now. Also sincerely hope that the so-called football reporters in the country understand the transformation needed to make the Malaysian team stronger and able to play football with a higher level of quality.
Friday, July 29, 2011
'Budaya' berbeza Malaysia-Singapura
Maaf terlebih dulu aku mohon dari kalian semua di atas apa yang bakal dicoretkan dalam paparan kali ini. Coretan yang di sebaliknya tersemat rasa pedih kegagalan menangkis cabaran Singapura di pusingan kedua kelayakan Piala Dunia 2014 di Bukit Jalil, malam tadi.
Stadium Nasional yang begitu gah dengan warna kuning dan sorakan patriotik penyokong setia Malaysia, akhirnya terpaksa lara, akur dan semacam bertafakur apabila keputusan seri 1-1 menyekat kemaraan Harimau Malaya yang begitu mengaum sejak pingat emas Sukan SEA di Laos pada Disember 2009.
Banyak kesan sampingan di sebalik prestasi "sedaya upaya tetapi sederhana" daripada pemain-pemain Harimau ketika menentang pasukan Singa. Bagi pemerhati seperti saya, paling terkilan ialah kita tidak dapat terus menguji pasukan atasan Asia dalam peringkat kumpulan. Pengalaman itu (sama seperti Sukan Asia di Guangzhou tahun lalu), cukup berharga untuk bolasepak Malaysia menilai dan belajar untuk menjadi pemain dan pasukan yang lebih stabil (compact) di peringkat Asia. Sayang.... Jika tidak, Safee, Safiq, Kunanlan, Mahali, Amar, Khairul Fahmi, Muslim, Asrar, Aidil dan lain-lain, dapat mengasah lagi corak permainan, fizikal dan mental apabila berentap dengan pasukan seperti Arab Saudi, Jepun, Korea Selatan/Utara, Uzbekistan, Australia dan lain-lain. Saya pasti, pemain sendiri kecewa terlepas peluang itu.
Kegagalan pedih di tangan Singapura bukan berlaku di Bukit Jalil, tetapi sebaliknya di Jalan Besar 23 Julai lalu. Mungkin kealpaan separuh masa selepas mendahului 1-0 di Jalan Besar, menjadi permulaan kejatuhan Harimau Malaya. Barangkali juga, kelicikan kaki, helah badan dan teknik sepakan Aleksander Duric, 40 tahun, pemain kelahiran bekas negara Yugoslavia, untuk menjaringkan gol kemenangan 5-3 Singapura pada perlawanan pertama, merupakan titik hitam kegagalan Malaysia kali ini.
Ini kerana, apa yang 'terselindung' dalam aksi di Stadium Nasional semalam, adalah perbezaan 'budaya' permainan bolasepak di antara Malaysia dan Singapura. Sudah tentu berbeza kerana Singapura kini diwakili 5 pemain yang bukan di lahirkan di Temasik. Duric, Fahruddin Mustafic, Qiu Li, dan Shi Jiayi dan Daniel Bennett. Namun, bukan budaya itu yang saya maksudkan.
Biarpun pedih, tidak dinafikan the Lions juga mempunyai 'budaya' bolasepaknya yang tersendiri dan malam semalam, mereka seperti menggambarkan ketrampilan Singapura sebagai sebuah negara yang rata-rata terancang, bersih dan "hi-tech", sama ada dilaksanakan secara kempen yang sistematik atau pun melalui dasar tegas oleh kerajaan republik itu.
Dalam bolasepak, Singapura sudah menjuarai Piala AFF sebanyak 3 kali walaupun pada tahun 70-and dan 80-an, mereka mudah dijinakkan Malaysia, kecuali satu perlawanan Piala Ovaltine apabila Fandi Ahmad menggelecek Santokh Singh membantu pasukan republik itu menang 2-1 di Stadium Merdeka.
Corak permainan tenang, kemas dan kadangkala 'fancy' agak ketara dirangkaikan oleh pemain Singapura semalam, termasuk sumbangan Harris Haron dan kapten mereka, Shahril Ishak di barisan tengah untuk membuka dan mengawal rentak permainan. Sama sekali tidak cukup untuk pemain Malaysia mengatasi Singapura dengan cara kudrat semata-mata. Insyallah, pengajaran itu pasti membuatkan pasukan muda kita lebih dewasa. Belang Harimau Malaysia masih menawan, semakin hitam dan kuning, ayuh teruskan mengaum!!!
Stadium Nasional yang begitu gah dengan warna kuning dan sorakan patriotik penyokong setia Malaysia, akhirnya terpaksa lara, akur dan semacam bertafakur apabila keputusan seri 1-1 menyekat kemaraan Harimau Malaya yang begitu mengaum sejak pingat emas Sukan SEA di Laos pada Disember 2009.
Banyak kesan sampingan di sebalik prestasi "sedaya upaya tetapi sederhana" daripada pemain-pemain Harimau ketika menentang pasukan Singa. Bagi pemerhati seperti saya, paling terkilan ialah kita tidak dapat terus menguji pasukan atasan Asia dalam peringkat kumpulan. Pengalaman itu (sama seperti Sukan Asia di Guangzhou tahun lalu), cukup berharga untuk bolasepak Malaysia menilai dan belajar untuk menjadi pemain dan pasukan yang lebih stabil (compact) di peringkat Asia. Sayang.... Jika tidak, Safee, Safiq, Kunanlan, Mahali, Amar, Khairul Fahmi, Muslim, Asrar, Aidil dan lain-lain, dapat mengasah lagi corak permainan, fizikal dan mental apabila berentap dengan pasukan seperti Arab Saudi, Jepun, Korea Selatan/Utara, Uzbekistan, Australia dan lain-lain. Saya pasti, pemain sendiri kecewa terlepas peluang itu.
Kegagalan pedih di tangan Singapura bukan berlaku di Bukit Jalil, tetapi sebaliknya di Jalan Besar 23 Julai lalu. Mungkin kealpaan separuh masa selepas mendahului 1-0 di Jalan Besar, menjadi permulaan kejatuhan Harimau Malaya. Barangkali juga, kelicikan kaki, helah badan dan teknik sepakan Aleksander Duric, 40 tahun, pemain kelahiran bekas negara Yugoslavia, untuk menjaringkan gol kemenangan 5-3 Singapura pada perlawanan pertama, merupakan titik hitam kegagalan Malaysia kali ini.
Ini kerana, apa yang 'terselindung' dalam aksi di Stadium Nasional semalam, adalah perbezaan 'budaya' permainan bolasepak di antara Malaysia dan Singapura. Sudah tentu berbeza kerana Singapura kini diwakili 5 pemain yang bukan di lahirkan di Temasik. Duric, Fahruddin Mustafic, Qiu Li, dan Shi Jiayi dan Daniel Bennett. Namun, bukan budaya itu yang saya maksudkan.
Biarpun pedih, tidak dinafikan the Lions juga mempunyai 'budaya' bolasepaknya yang tersendiri dan malam semalam, mereka seperti menggambarkan ketrampilan Singapura sebagai sebuah negara yang rata-rata terancang, bersih dan "hi-tech", sama ada dilaksanakan secara kempen yang sistematik atau pun melalui dasar tegas oleh kerajaan republik itu.
Dalam bolasepak, Singapura sudah menjuarai Piala AFF sebanyak 3 kali walaupun pada tahun 70-and dan 80-an, mereka mudah dijinakkan Malaysia, kecuali satu perlawanan Piala Ovaltine apabila Fandi Ahmad menggelecek Santokh Singh membantu pasukan republik itu menang 2-1 di Stadium Merdeka.
Corak permainan tenang, kemas dan kadangkala 'fancy' agak ketara dirangkaikan oleh pemain Singapura semalam, termasuk sumbangan Harris Haron dan kapten mereka, Shahril Ishak di barisan tengah untuk membuka dan mengawal rentak permainan. Sama sekali tidak cukup untuk pemain Malaysia mengatasi Singapura dengan cara kudrat semata-mata. Insyallah, pengajaran itu pasti membuatkan pasukan muda kita lebih dewasa. Belang Harimau Malaysia masih menawan, semakin hitam dan kuning, ayuh teruskan mengaum!!!
Saturday, July 23, 2011
Spore-Malaysia classic on synthetic
It wasnt exactly one of those classic match between Singapore and Malaysia in the game of football, nor there was an evident 'bookie feeling' or the 'kelong' chants among the supporters of both fans at the Jalan Besar Stadium last night. But 'synthetically' speaking, the nostalgic rivalry between Malaysian and Singaporean football are definitely back!
On a journalistic view, the match could be described as a tensed and topsy turvy affair filled with eight snapshot goals, two red cards and a potentially serious crowd trouble at the terrace between Harimau Malaya's Ultras and Singapore's Lions roar . Singapore came back twice to beat Malaysia 5-3 to finally take a 2 goal cushion di Stadium Nasional Bukit Jalil, on Thursday. "We play on grass too,' quipped Singapore defender Daniel Bennett to quickly point that Singapore are in a good position to qualify for the Asian final group rounds.
Except for the minor skirmishes between a small group of rival fans during and after the game which was finely dealt with by the Singapore police, the Malaysia-Singapore match on Saturday was still lacking the 'derby' or 'causeway' football spirit of the glorious Malaysia Cup days of the 70's, 80's and the early 90's. Personally I felt somewhat sub-dued, easily succumbed by the "long time no see" relationship between Malaysia and Singapore as soon as I met up with former coach of the Lions, Mr Jitta Singh at the VIP lounge of the Jalan Besar Stadium that night. Jitta, who also brought Singapore stars, T Pathmanathan and R Suriamurthi to Pahang when he was appointed manager of the Malaysian state team in mid-80's, is one of the republic's football personality which represents the unique spirit of Malaysian-Singaporean football that started long ago during the early Malaya Cup days in the 1930's, 1940's, and 1950's! Of course my 'arwah' father, Atan bin Mohamed, was the one who gave me the first insights of the great Singapore football stories. I can still remember some of the stories about the the great Awang Bakar, Dol Fattah, Choo Seng Que (Uncle Choo) and Majid Ariff that my father use to tell me when I was a boy. Stadium Jalan Besar too has it's legendary stories about great matches, fabolous players and astonishing goals. Soh Chin Aun, Mokhtar Dahari, R Arumugam and their Selangor team continued those stories from our Malaysian side by stamping their supremacy over Singapore in their Malaysia Cup duels of the 1970's and 1980's.
However the Malaysia-Singapore football rivalry was not really felt at Jalan Besar Stadium despite the loud singing by both fans. Obviously, the 6,000 crowd at Jalan Besar now is so much smaller than the 45,000 capacity crowd of Merdeka Stadium or the 60,000 fans that would fill the National Stadium in Kallang when Singapore play Malaysia (or Selangor) in an official match.
Or perhaps, the 'derby' of 'causeway' football spirit is gone because almost half of the Singapore team are 'foreigners'! Yes, that is a pretty quick and good reason.. No matter how hard they try, Singaporeans will always find it difficult to honestly relate Duric, Mustafic, Qiu Li (China), Bennet or Shi Jiayi, as one of their own. Remember Fandi Ahmad, Quah Kim Song, V Sundram Moorthy, or even Eric Paine? Well, that sounds and feel truly Singaporean!
Taking a 2-goal cushion to Bukit Jalil would give the Lions a certain degree of self-belief when they take on Malaysia in the second leg, second round Asian qualifiers for the 2014 Fifa World Cup. But they will be treading on a tight-rope in front of the expected 70,000 crowd who will relish to witness the Lions bruised and tamed at Stadium Nasional on Thursday. Never mind the nostalgic derby or causeway football spirit....
On a journalistic view, the match could be described as a tensed and topsy turvy affair filled with eight snapshot goals, two red cards and a potentially serious crowd trouble at the terrace between Harimau Malaya's Ultras and Singapore's Lions roar . Singapore came back twice to beat Malaysia 5-3 to finally take a 2 goal cushion di Stadium Nasional Bukit Jalil, on Thursday. "We play on grass too,' quipped Singapore defender Daniel Bennett to quickly point that Singapore are in a good position to qualify for the Asian final group rounds.
Except for the minor skirmishes between a small group of rival fans during and after the game which was finely dealt with by the Singapore police, the Malaysia-Singapore match on Saturday was still lacking the 'derby' or 'causeway' football spirit of the glorious Malaysia Cup days of the 70's, 80's and the early 90's. Personally I felt somewhat sub-dued, easily succumbed by the "long time no see" relationship between Malaysia and Singapore as soon as I met up with former coach of the Lions, Mr Jitta Singh at the VIP lounge of the Jalan Besar Stadium that night. Jitta, who also brought Singapore stars, T Pathmanathan and R Suriamurthi to Pahang when he was appointed manager of the Malaysian state team in mid-80's, is one of the republic's football personality which represents the unique spirit of Malaysian-Singaporean football that started long ago during the early Malaya Cup days in the 1930's, 1940's, and 1950's! Of course my 'arwah' father, Atan bin Mohamed, was the one who gave me the first insights of the great Singapore football stories. I can still remember some of the stories about the the great Awang Bakar, Dol Fattah, Choo Seng Que (Uncle Choo) and Majid Ariff that my father use to tell me when I was a boy. Stadium Jalan Besar too has it's legendary stories about great matches, fabolous players and astonishing goals. Soh Chin Aun, Mokhtar Dahari, R Arumugam and their Selangor team continued those stories from our Malaysian side by stamping their supremacy over Singapore in their Malaysia Cup duels of the 1970's and 1980's.
However the Malaysia-Singapore football rivalry was not really felt at Jalan Besar Stadium despite the loud singing by both fans. Obviously, the 6,000 crowd at Jalan Besar now is so much smaller than the 45,000 capacity crowd of Merdeka Stadium or the 60,000 fans that would fill the National Stadium in Kallang when Singapore play Malaysia (or Selangor) in an official match.
Or perhaps, the 'derby' of 'causeway' football spirit is gone because almost half of the Singapore team are 'foreigners'! Yes, that is a pretty quick and good reason.. No matter how hard they try, Singaporeans will always find it difficult to honestly relate Duric, Mustafic, Qiu Li (China), Bennet or Shi Jiayi, as one of their own. Remember Fandi Ahmad, Quah Kim Song, V Sundram Moorthy, or even Eric Paine? Well, that sounds and feel truly Singaporean!
Taking a 2-goal cushion to Bukit Jalil would give the Lions a certain degree of self-belief when they take on Malaysia in the second leg, second round Asian qualifiers for the 2014 Fifa World Cup. But they will be treading on a tight-rope in front of the expected 70,000 crowd who will relish to witness the Lions bruised and tamed at Stadium Nasional on Thursday. Never mind the nostalgic derby or causeway football spirit....
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
English invasion..no 'tiki taka'
I was really hit by "the blues" on the way to work this morning. Not that I was lazy to start the day at the office but was rather stiffled on the way by a minor traffic jam at Bandar Utama, Petaling Jaya. The Blues, I mean Chelsea football club, had taken over my entrance route to the office with two big busses, heavily escorted by traffic police and security vans. I managed to get a glimpse of the people in the team bus and there was Chelsea's new manager, Andre Villas-Boas sitting alone in the front seat of the bus. To me, Villas-Boas is almost in the same mould of the great Jose Mourinho. The difference is, Villas-Boas has not declared himself as the "special one". But believe me, Villas-Boas, the latest choice by Abramovich to bring the Champions League title to Stamford Bridge, has got the personality and tactical background to succeed. So, we will see how much Chelsea has changed it's game style when they take on Harimau Muda team in Kuala Lumpur on July 21, 2011.
Its hardly surpirising that the reason that I am going to watch the Harimau Muda-Chelsea game is mainly to listen and study the reaction of Mr Villas-Boas about the game. Perhaps he would be the real "special one" to Abramovich.
Am I getting carried away with the EPL, its players, coaches and board of directors stories? I hope not because I'm one who has not been amused at seeing how much the EPL has influenced the Malaysian society over the last decade or so. In short, I feel akward to know there so many "football expert and pundits" out there despite actually being a "kaki bangku!" They love the EPL not really for it's football, they love the players not because of their skills but their looks, the follow the stories not because of their instinctive interest but for their gossiping Malaysian nature.
Arsenal, Liverpool dan Chelsea has made quite an impact with their Tour of Asia trip to Kuala Lumpur. Manchester United also had their moments of enjoying "the Malaysian craze" around this time last year. Where does Barcelona, Real Madrid, Milan, Bayern or Ajax stand among Malaysian fans? How many Malaysian fans truly appreciate and salute the "tiki taka" football being played by mighty Barcelona?
* I am not so sure why this guy under the name of "Meganova Hulk" on his FB is so up-set. He went a little bit overboard to me. No doubt he has his own legitimate reason to be appalled by the EPL's "Big Three" presence in Kuala Lumpur. He is the opposite from the EPL loving group of fans in Malaysia. Perhaps "Meganova Hulk" read too deeply into UEFA President, Michel Platini's criticism of too much financial issues plaguing football these days.
Phrases like "modern football", "circus matches" or "business only FAM" are some of the terms used by Meganova Hulk to berate and belittle his fellow "Ultras Malaya" for being too accomodating towards Arsenal, Liverpool and Chelsea's Asia Tour 2011. Interesting huh? This is definitely a sign of the new spirit for Malaysian football fans following the 2009 Sea Games gold medal feat and also emerging champions of South East Asia in the Suzuki Cup December last year.
Its hardly surpirising that the reason that I am going to watch the Harimau Muda-Chelsea game is mainly to listen and study the reaction of Mr Villas-Boas about the game. Perhaps he would be the real "special one" to Abramovich.
Am I getting carried away with the EPL, its players, coaches and board of directors stories? I hope not because I'm one who has not been amused at seeing how much the EPL has influenced the Malaysian society over the last decade or so. In short, I feel akward to know there so many "football expert and pundits" out there despite actually being a "kaki bangku!" They love the EPL not really for it's football, they love the players not because of their skills but their looks, the follow the stories not because of their instinctive interest but for their gossiping Malaysian nature.
Arsenal, Liverpool dan Chelsea has made quite an impact with their Tour of Asia trip to Kuala Lumpur. Manchester United also had their moments of enjoying "the Malaysian craze" around this time last year. Where does Barcelona, Real Madrid, Milan, Bayern or Ajax stand among Malaysian fans? How many Malaysian fans truly appreciate and salute the "tiki taka" football being played by mighty Barcelona?
* I am not so sure why this guy under the name of "Meganova Hulk" on his FB is so up-set. He went a little bit overboard to me. No doubt he has his own legitimate reason to be appalled by the EPL's "Big Three" presence in Kuala Lumpur. He is the opposite from the EPL loving group of fans in Malaysia. Perhaps "Meganova Hulk" read too deeply into UEFA President, Michel Platini's criticism of too much financial issues plaguing football these days.
Phrases like "modern football", "circus matches" or "business only FAM" are some of the terms used by Meganova Hulk to berate and belittle his fellow "Ultras Malaya" for being too accomodating towards Arsenal, Liverpool and Chelsea's Asia Tour 2011. Interesting huh? This is definitely a sign of the new spirit for Malaysian football fans following the 2009 Sea Games gold medal feat and also emerging champions of South East Asia in the Suzuki Cup December last year.
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Realiti bolasepak Malaysia masih meruncing
Semangat saja tidak cukup untuk Malaysia memanjat tangga bolasepak antarabangsa dari tahap Asia Tenggara ke peringkat Asia. Juga dalam bolasepak, tidak cukup jika pegawai dan pentadbirnya sekadar pandai tersenyum lebar penuh bergaya kepada jurukamera media sewaktu pelancaran majlis. Dua situasi itu cukup rapat berkait semalam, 29 Jun 2011.
Malaysia 2, China Taipeh 1...keputusan perlawanan kelayakan pra-Piala Dunia di Stadium Nasional Bukit Jalil, seharusnya menjadi pembuka mata. Bukan saja mata peminat dan pemerhati bolasepak tanahair, tetapi yang lebih penting membuka 'mata' Persatuan Bolasepak Malaysia (FAM) serta rakan kongsi terbarunya, Kementerian Belia dan Sukan. Jelas sungguh KBS dan Majlis Sukan Negara (MSN) begitu beria-ia dengan bolasepak selepas pasukan negara 'tidak semena-mena' merangkul emas Sukan SEA 2009 dan juara Asia Tenggara 2010). Tiada masalah dengan semua itu asalkan KBS/MSN benar-benar profesional ingin membantu bolasepak (tanpa melupakan tanggungjawab dan komitmennya kepada sukan lain yang kurang popular).
Tidak dinafikan semangat juang pasukan negara menjadi tunjang kejayaan pingat emas Sukan SEA dan Piala AFF, namun sudah sampai masanya FAM, KBS dan orang teknikal bolasepak tempatan melihat dan mengakui kekurangan yang masih ketara dalam bolasepak kita. Untuk menyaingi permainan bolasepak kualiti tinggi, semangat saja tidak cukup...itu harus kita sedar kerana Malaysia kini kembali memasuki kancah bolasepak Asia. Perlu diakui bahawa kita masih ketinggalan jurang "2 gol" di belakang pasukan seperti Jepun, Korea Selatan, Iran atau Uzbekistan.
Kekurangan kita untuk mencabar di peringkat Asia begitu ketara walaupun berjaya menumpaskan China Taipeh 2-1, malam semalam. Realiti mengenai mutu bolasepak negara untuk kembali disegani di Asia masih berliku, termasuk cerita-cerita rasuah atau "menjual" perlawanan. Hambatan terhadap perancangan masa depan bolasepak Malaysia tetap mendesak sekalipun kini berjaya menapak dengan kejayaan pingat emas Sukan SEA di Laos, 2009 dan juara Piala AFF 2010. Justeru, jangan terikut-ikut dengan senyuman Timbalan Menteri Belia dan Sukan, Datuk Razali Ibrahim, serta orang-orang FAM dan MSN yang mula sibuk dengan penyelarasan program dan dana di atas nama perancangan masa depan bolasepak negara. Posing sana, posing sini, begitu selesa sekali kerana ketika ini, sukan bolasepak kini menjadi pujaan. Sebelum Laos dan Piala Suzuki, orang-orang yang lebih kurang sama ini juga yang lebih menyindir daripada menyokong!
Berdasarkan corak permainan (sepasukan dan individu) pemain Malaysia ketika menentang Taiwan, penyelarasan yang lebih penting dipegang oleh orang teknikal, jurulatih, bekas pemain yang mengendalikan akademi dan pusat bolasepak di seluruh negara, bukannya pegawai-pegawai tadbir yang bercakap macam-macam mengenai pasukan negara. Persoalan di kalangan bekas pemain dan jurulatih di Malaysia rasanya masih sama: "Teknik dan kecergasan pemain tempatan masih rendah di kalangan pasukan utama Asia!". Selaraskan "coaches education" di semua peringkat supaya semua jurulatih yang membimbing pemain bermula di peringkat akar umbi lagi, akan secara sedar menekankan corak permainan yang lebih pantas, hantaran tepat dan berimbang, kawalan bola lebih kemas dan daya saing tinggi menerusi kecergasan. Itu tidak termasuk kebijaksanaan jurulatih memujuk dan menjaga pemain bola berbakat semulajadi yang lazimnya agak malas dan banyak karenah. Pemain dengan skil individu ini penting untuk menjadi katalis permainan kualiti pasukan negara masa depan. Sebenarnya tak cukup muka surat jika ingin mengupas terperinci kekurangan yang kita katakan masih ketara ketika Malaysia menang 2-1 ke atas Taiwan.
Sebelum memanjat carta bolasepak Asia, pastikan tempo permainan lebih tinggi tetapi konsentrasi penuh (seperti Sukan SEA dan Piala Suzuki) apabila menentang Taiwan pada perlawanan timbal balik petang Ahad ini. Kalau mahu inspirasi tambahan, bayangkan keghairahan seluruh negara dan peluang sanubari pemain sendiri, apabila menentang pasukan jiran musuh tradisi, Singapura dalam kelayakan pusingan kedua, selepas ini. Singapura.....hmmm...pasti seronok!!!
NOTA: Ucapan takziah buat keluarga Allahyarham Tan Sri Zain Hashim, bekas Naib Presiden FAM, Pengerusi Pengadil FAM dan bekas pengadil FIFA. Secara peribadi, Allahyarham ku kenali sebagai seorang yang 'gentleman' dan berpengalaman luas. Semoga roh Allahyarham dicucuri Rahmat dan ditempatkan di kalangan para solihin. Amin.
NOTA: Ucapan takziah buat keluarga Allahyarham Tan Sri Zain Hashim, bekas Naib Presiden FAM, Pengerusi Pengadil FAM dan bekas pengadil FIFA. Secara peribadi, Allahyarham ku kenali sebagai seorang yang 'gentleman' dan berpengalaman luas. Semoga roh Allahyarham dicucuri Rahmat dan ditempatkan di kalangan para solihin. Amin.
Friday, June 17, 2011
No more fun in sports?
I played a decent round of golf at Berjaya Hills Resort at Bukit Tinggi on Monday afternoon...and last night scored a free-kick goal for the Sportswriters Association of Malaysia (SAM) team in a friendly football match against Hijau Kuning dot.com at Kompleks Majlis Sukan Negara (MSN) at Shah Alam. Felt great about the goal but not the final score of the match!
For us, sports is fun for sure. Let's hope our sportsmen/women and athletes will also continue to find joy in their game. However, that has not been case for a couple of our national track athletes off late. Out of the sudden, they were put in a bad light as trying to evade drug testing! For crying out loud, THEY DONT DESERVE THIS!!! No thanks to the Majlis Sukan Negara (MSN)....or as later pointed out, Institut Sukan Negara (ISN).
There is a teeny weeny question mark on MSN/ISN's timing and the real purpose to suddenly instruct the girls (national athletes) to undergo drug testing. The athletes were caught in the middle, becoming victims of another episode of "power show" between MSN and Malaysian Amatuer Athletics Union (MAAU). It's no secret at all that MSN Director General, Datuk Zolkples Embong still bears a long standing grudge against MAAU's Deputy President, Karim Ibrahim. Zolkples simply could not stand Karim, vise versa!! Surely on his fine and authoritative days at his office in Bukit Jalil, Zolkples could not stop but realise that Karim is the ONLY ONE among national sports officials in this country would DARE point out whatever "wrong-doings" by Datuk Zol or the MSN/ISN.
Matters have gone worse between Zol and Karim with the latest issue involving national athletes who were just excited to undergo training in Bulgaria, last month. Now, parents of the athletes are duly worried. Is it worth for their daughters to pursue their athletic career if there are pressures from all sides? Not just on the track, but the "power shows" between MSN and MAAU. Some parents even recalled the darkest moment in Malaysian sports history when a young female athlete allegedly took her own life due to "outside pressures" in the early 90-s. Is it the same kind of pressure?
For us, sports is fun for sure. Let's hope our sportsmen/women and athletes will also continue to find joy in their game. However, that has not been case for a couple of our national track athletes off late. Out of the sudden, they were put in a bad light as trying to evade drug testing! For crying out loud, THEY DONT DESERVE THIS!!! No thanks to the Majlis Sukan Negara (MSN)....or as later pointed out, Institut Sukan Negara (ISN).
There is a teeny weeny question mark on MSN/ISN's timing and the real purpose to suddenly instruct the girls (national athletes) to undergo drug testing. The athletes were caught in the middle, becoming victims of another episode of "power show" between MSN and Malaysian Amatuer Athletics Union (MAAU). It's no secret at all that MSN Director General, Datuk Zolkples Embong still bears a long standing grudge against MAAU's Deputy President, Karim Ibrahim. Zolkples simply could not stand Karim, vise versa!! Surely on his fine and authoritative days at his office in Bukit Jalil, Zolkples could not stop but realise that Karim is the ONLY ONE among national sports officials in this country would DARE point out whatever "wrong-doings" by Datuk Zol or the MSN/ISN.
Matters have gone worse between Zol and Karim with the latest issue involving national athletes who were just excited to undergo training in Bulgaria, last month. Now, parents of the athletes are duly worried. Is it worth for their daughters to pursue their athletic career if there are pressures from all sides? Not just on the track, but the "power shows" between MSN and MAAU. Some parents even recalled the darkest moment in Malaysian sports history when a young female athlete allegedly took her own life due to "outside pressures" in the early 90-s. Is it the same kind of pressure?
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