Malaysia Football Team Celebrates As They Are Now The Champions of AFF Suzuki Cup 2010

Champions of South East Asia

Last night, in the second leg of the AFF Suzuki Cup 2010 finals, the match ended with Indonesia 2 – 1 Malaysia. However, Malaysia still won the trophy, thanks to the Malaysia 3 – 0 Indonesia scoreline in the first leg. Yes, the AFF Suzuki Cup have a home and away format even for the finals.

Kudos to the Harimau Malaya football team. They’ve created history as this is the first time Malaysia have ever captured the AFF Suzuki Cup title. This is also just the second time Malaysia got into the finals. The last time they did it was in 1996. Almost 15 years ago. Last night, Malaysia became the Champions of the South East Asia region.

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The Youngest Team In The Tournament

Malaysia came into the tournament with a relatively young team. As a matter of fact, we have the youngest set of players in the tournament. The core of the team is made up of the under 23 team. These are the players who won the SEA Games gold medal in 2009.

We have a 19 year old playing at the center of our defense. A 21 year old manning the goal. A 23 year old as team captain. These young and talented set of players have shown and proved themselves yet again this year in the AFF Suzuki Cup. No one, probably not even the Malaysian football fans gave them any hope of capturing the title. Especially after they were trashed by Indonesia in the very first match of the tournament. They were only expected to proceed to the second round.

However, thanks to the winning mindset that have been instilled in them, they have certainly over achieved their expectations.

An Experience To Cherish For Malaysian Footballers

The Coming of Age of Malaysian Football

Two excellent results back to back in two straight years. No recent Malaysian Football team has ever achieved such results. Kudos to the FAM. They have managed to develop a winning team in these youngsters. All the international exposures given to this team are now bearing fruit. They even went face to face twice with Manchester United in their Asian Tour in 2009. Imagine the experience our centre back gained when he went up against Rooney and Michael Owen in that match.

The coming of age for these young set of players is inevitable. We saw that in the AFF Suzuki Cup. The young lads have matured through every single game they played in the tournament. They’ve displayed true grit, focus, determination and skills through out the matches played. The most important thing to note, they have shown that we now have players who are really playing their hearts out for the country.

Malaysian Football In The Media Limelight

The Malaysian Football team is now enjoying the limelight once again. The media and local fans are now back in full force behind them. Even the players are enjoying newly found fame. The currently in form keeper, Khairul Fahmi is currently among the top trenders in Tweeter. His fame is also spilling over to his girlfriend’s blog. Too bad, he doesn’t have a blog of his own.

Both Safee and Norshahrul are also enjoying renewed fame on the internet. One Manchester United player also congratulated the Malaysian team in his tweet.

The Future of Malaysian Football

So, after two back to back years of success, what is next for the current set of Malaysian Football players? Well, too bad we did not qualify for the AFC Asian Cup 2011 in January. If we did, can the team stand up to the likes of Korea, Japan, Saudi Arabia and Australia? These teams have featured in the World Cup Finals.

At the moment, Malaysia is the King of Football in South East Asia. If the current team stays true to form and improve, we stand to be the team to beat in the next few years in this region. However, we should now set our eyes on becoming as good as, if not better then, then likes of Korea and Japan.

It was a job well done in the AFF Suzuki Cup 2010. Not a small feat by any measure since the squad is very young. However, FAM needs to keep nurturing these youngsters. Groom them to become a power house, at least in the Asian region.

Malaysian Football Players In South East Asian Clubs?

For these youngsters, they still have a long way to go. I only hope they don’t end up like so many other young potentials we had – no where. Given the right exposure, they can play anywhere in the region and outside. I do hope, if given the chance, they take it. Get the exposure of playing abroad. Bring back the experience into our national team.

Among the players whom I think is capable of playing abroad is Safee Sali, Khairul Fahmi and Safiq Ali. For Malaysia Football to get to the World level, our players must have the desire to play outside of Malaysia. Again, if you want it, you need to believe in it and work on it. Only then can you achieve it.

Malaysia Footballers, Do You Want To Play Outside Malaysia?

My question to the Malaysian Football players right now.. Who among you would love to play for a club outside from Malaysia? No, not for an English team. That’s too wishful thinking, at least at the moment. Be realistic. How about in this region? In the Singapore League? In the Indonesia League? In the Thailand League? Why are we always looking at countries so far away from here?

Yes, I know we should target for the best. We would really love to see our players playing for the likes of Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United. However, that should be our long term goal. Our short term goal should be to have our players play for clubs in the South East Asia region first. Then extend it to the Asian region. Only after that can we look at the world.

What’s your take on Malaysian Football future? Would you like to see Malaysian players playing outside even if it’s just for teams in Singapore, Thailand or Indonesia? Share your views in here.

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Man United Asia Tour 2009

Wayne Rooney and Nani scored early in the first half to make it a 2 – 0 scoreline. United seemed enroute to an easy night. So it would seem. United took at least 60% possession of the ball. However, kudos to the Malaysian midfield, United had very few looks at the Malaysia goal after that.

Then, Amri Yahya struck in the wee end of the first half. Chesting the ball from a goal kick, the Selangor captain sent a looping volley at United’s goal. He caught Van der Saar off his line. A superb goal from the Selangor senior to bring Malaysia back into the game just before half time.

Early in the second half, Amri struck again. This time off a Ben Foster error. Ben replaced Van der Saar at goal for Manchester United after half time. He misjudged a back pass from his backline and the ball went loose. Amri who was tracking the back pass pounced on the error. Foster showed that he was no match to the speedy Amri. Amri, thus slotted home to make it 2 -2.

It was pretty much a midfield affair after that, as both teams brought in their reserves. United, as usual had major ball possesssion. The Malaysian defense, however, stood firm. Malaysia even had a number of attempts at the Manchester United goal from quick counter attacks.

Ferguson then sent in their latest signing, Michael Owen into the match. Owen proved he still has a lot to offer MU fans this season. Off a through pass from midfield, Ryan Giggs clashed with the Malaysian keeper. The ball then rebounded into the path of Owen who was ready to slide the ball into the net. 3 – 2 for Manchester.

A great game indeed. Although United was not able to display their usual free flow game. Probably due to the 5.30pm kick off time, humidity and jet lag.

Kudos to Rajagobal and the Malaysian players for showing that there is still hope for the Malaysian team. Amri will certainly cherish this game. He will be talking about that goal that beat Van der Saar for many years to come. Two goals against the great Manchester United. Who would’ve thought?

A rematch has been scheduled to be played on Monday. Will Malaysia churn up better display this Monday?

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The two contenders in the recent FA Cup 2008 completed the first leg with comfortable wins. Both Selangor and Kedah cruised past their opponents in their respective matches last night.

• Selangor vs Johor FC – Selangor edged Johor FC with a 2-0 win
• Kedah vs Terengganu – Kedah took charge with a convincing 3-0 win.

Both Selangor and Kedah continue their fine form after their wins in the TM Piala Malaysia 2008 Quarter Finals.

Selangor vs Johor FC

In Shah Alam, it was their final appearance with Selangor at home for the 3 Selangor imports. The Selangor trio of Frank Seator, Elie Aiboy and Evans Chisulo bid farewell to their fans. No imports for next season, said FAM recently.

The Selangor  Red Giants started the match with vigor. They clearly wanted an early score. They went for the kill from the word go. Johor FC were on their back foot through out the match. They never posed any real danger for the upbeat Selangor.

Selangor deservedly got their first goal in the 18th minute. Safee Sali finishing off a low cross from Indra Putra. The goal raised the heat even further for Johor FC. The home team had many more chances at goal after that. They were however, denied goal by poor finishing up front.

Frank Seator rocked the Johor FC goal post with a thunderous shot from 30 meters in the 40th minute. The score, thus, remained 1-0 until the half.

After the half time breather, Selangor continued their pressure on Johor FC. They kept Johor FC back pedaling through out the match. The Red Giant’s goal keeper had pretty much nothing to do between his goal posts.

E. Aiboy, could have put the homers two up in the 60th minute. S. Sali’s sent the ball to E. Aiboy across a gaping open goal. E. Aiboy, however, failed to convert, even with the goal keeper already well beaten.

The visitors looked to have succeeded in keeping the scoreline at 1-0. However, much to the pleasure of the home fans, two second half substitutions combined together in the dying minutes of extra time to produce Selangor’s second goal. A. Yahyah, coming in from the left, sent in a hard low cross across the Johor goal. The drive was met by the onrushing R. Surendran and directed straight into goal.

Kedah vs Terengganu

Over in Stadium Darul Aman, Kedah too had no problems facing Terengganu. Kedah had total control of the match. Terengganu was never in the game. At half time, Kedah was already up by 2-0. Badrul Bakhtiar and Marlon Alex James scoring in the 25th and 40th minutes respectively. Kedah’s third came in the 75th minute. Khyril Muhaimeen netting in the third for his team.

A Look Ahead

Johor FC will host Selangor at the Pasir Gudang Stadium in the second leg. They will have a daunting task of overcoming Selangor’s two goal advantage. Johor FC, have shown in the past that they are capable of the task, however. They did overcome UPB MyTeam’s 2 goal advantage to advance to the semis.  Can they do it again?

An early goal by Selangor in the return leg would diminish any hope of a comeback by Johor FC. Johor FC would need to win by a four goal margin should Selangor score another goal in the 2nd leg. Selangor should take on an attacking mindset in the coming match. A defensive stand could swing the momentum into Johor FC’s advantage.

A two goal lead may not be enough for Selangor. They have been very unpredictable in terms of defense. Among the four in the TM Piala Malaysia 2008 Semi Finalists, Selangor probably has the worst defensive record in the Malaysian Super League 2008 with 36 goals allowed. Johor FC could take advantage of this fact.

Kedah, on the other hand, has a three goal advantage on their side. Terengganu will need to quickly go for the kill and get at least two very early goals to stand a chance in qualifying for the final. Terengganu will no doubt have a Himalayan task ahead of them. Have they got what it takes in them to overcome this 3 goal deficit?

Who do you think will advance into the Malaysia Cup 2008 Final? Who do you want to see in the final? Will we see an FA Cup 2008 rematch?

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Four Malaysia Cup 2008 matches were played last night. Selangor faced PDRM at Selayang Stadium. Perak hosted Kedah in Ipoh. Terengganu traveled north to face Perlis. MyTeam journeyed south to meet Johor FC. The second leg of the Quarter Finals was a high scoring affair. Only the Perlis vs Terengganu match failed to produce any goals.

In the end, only four teams managed to continue their journey to the Malaysia Cup 2008 Semi-Finals. Malaysia Cup 2008 is almost coming to an end.

The 4 football teams who made the cut are:

• Selangor
• Johor FC
• Kedah
• Terengganu

Of the four, who will survive and move on to the Final match?

PDRM vs Selangor Recap

Selangor Red Giants grabbed their semi final berth with an away win against PDRM. Both teams drew 3-3 last night at the Selayang Stadium. They drew 0-0 in the first leg of the quarter finals.

The Red Giants’ imported striker, Frank Seator, scored two goals from the penalty spot to ensure Selangor’s place in the semi finals. The second penalty came two minutes from full time. Selangor was behind 2-3 before they were presented with the penalty. F. Seator was brought down in the penalty box by Yosri Derma Raju. Referee, R. Krishnan, without hesitation, pointed to the spot. Selangor, thus, claimed their spot into the 2008 Malaysia Cup Semi-Finals.

It was Selangor who drew first blood with a goal in the 12th minute. Safie Sali drew the penalty call when he was brought down in the box. F. Seator had no problems thrashing the ball home dead center for Selangor to take the early lead.

PDRM followed suite with a Nizaruddin Yusof equalizer 7 minutes later. Off a corner kick, the former Selangor striker headed home into Selangor’s goal 20 minutes into the game. The score remained at 1-1 until half time.

After the breather, Selangor came out with more intent. They took the lead for the second time in the 56th minute. Shukor Adan took his chance well and made it 2-1 for Selangor.

As if awaken from a stupor, PDRM took charge after the second Selangor goal. They got their game together and began making advances into their opponent’s box. Selangor, on the other hand, seemed content with their one goal lead and just defended in numbers.

PDRM got their break in the 80th minute. After pushing hard, they finally broke the Selangor defence. Norfarhan Mohamad leveled for PDRM from a free kick. Two minutes later, while Selangor was still languishing from PDRM’s second equalizer, Noh Alam Shah slotted PDRM’s go ahead third.

Leading, with only minutes to go, PDRM became contented. They paid the prize for their lackadaisical display after their third goal. F. Seator made sure that Selangor continue to stay on course for their 33rd Malaysia Cup title.

Malaysia Cup 2008 Quarter Finals 2nd Leg Results:

PDRM 3 vs 3 Selangor (Selangor advances, away goal rule)
Perak 0 vs 2 Kedah (Kedah advances, 5-0 aggregate)
Johor FC 5 vs 1 UPB MyTeam (Johor FC advances, 6-4 aggregate)
Perlis 0 vs 0 Terengganu (Terengganu advances, 7-6 penalty)

Malaysia Cup 2008 Semi-Finals fixtures:

Selangor vs Johor FC
Kedah vs Terengganu

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