Malaysia’s hope of qualifying to the semi-finals in the SEA Games 2007 football tournament went down the drain. This came about after Malaysia only managed to win a single game in Group B of the tournament. The Merdeka Cup champion started of with 0 – 1 a loss against Vietnam. They bounced back from that loss with a sound 4 – 0 win against Laos.
Needing an outright win against Singapore, the Malaysian team faltered under pressure as they squandered an early lead to draw 1 – 1 with Singapore. The draw puts them third in Group B, thus, denying them a spot in the semi-finals. Here’s how the group stands at present:
Malaysia actually went into the tournament with the hopes of bringing back a gold medal. This expectation came about perhaps after the recent success in the Merdeka Cup. The Merdeka Cup success, however, could not spur the Malaysian team to perform at their top level in Korat.
Anymore calls to restructure the FAM? I would like to call for a restructure indeed. They need to restructure their web site… please.. please.. please..
FAM need to be restructured all together. From their website up to their management. A complete new set of team in FAM, only then we will see Malaysian football a new lifeline (change…change…change). If not in 2008 it will be like the Dolphins…”winless season”…oppss! They finally got one win.
Rosli, you are probably right. I would also like to see change made in the current FAM. What I would like to see is a team made up of only pure business persons and sports persons. No politicians nor royalties please… Some say the royalties and politicians are there because they bring in the sponsors… Well, I think if the league and the national teams are successful, sponsorships will be easy to secure. Everyone will be willing to sponsor a successful team. And also, please.. those with close ties to politicians also do not qualify in my point of view.