Malaysia Boleh!

I have no words to say when our national football team won the Sea Games gold medal in Laos recently. I hope the victory is a turning point for the future of our national football.

Our Tigers finally roared after 20 years of waiting, they triumphed over Vietnam in the football final of the 25th SEA Games in Laos, 1-0 score line giving Malaysia's first gold medal in the event in two decades. Malaysia were last crowned in 1989 defeating tough rivals Singapore in the 1989 edition of the games that was hosted in Kuala Lumpur.

Vietnam trounced Singapore 4-1 at their semi final while Malaysia had beaten hosts Laos 3-1 in the same stage. Malaysia overturned a lackluster first-half performance to beat it's opponent, it defeated Vietnam although lost an earlier encounter between the two teams at the group stage.

The win is all the more precious for Under-23 squad, which had arrived at the SEA Games with little to no hope of leaving with a medal. Now, they are coming home with the gold. Our side has fallen a long way since the heady days of the 1970s and 1980.

Failure to nurture talent, racism, poor management, cronyism, corruption and a lack of government support are the main problems that haunting Malaysia’s football. It seems like these problems are handled in the better manner now as our performance is recovering from day to day.

Congratulations to Malaysian Tigers for fulfilling 27 million Malaysian’s dream, definitely the main credit goes to the coach K Rajagopal 'Tiger King' for the hard works in building up the 25^th Sea Games football squad and his superb guidance to his boys.

HEAD COACH K RAJAGOPAL WITH HIS BOYS

TEAM CAPTAIN AIDIL ZAQUAN (8) WITH GURUSAMY (16)

MALAYSIAN PLAYERS CELEBRATING THEIR VICTORY OVER VIETNAM


THE STAFF:

Team Manager
Datuk Redzuan Sheikh Ahmad

Assistant Manager
Datuk Subahan Kamal

Head Coach
K. Rajagopal

Assistant Coach
Tan Cheng Hoe

Goalkeeping Coach
Mohd. Faozi Mukhlas


THE SQUAD:

Goalkeepers
Mohd Farizal Marlias
Mohd Sharbini Mohd Alawee

Defenders
Mohd Sabre Mat Abu
Mohd Azmi Muslim
Mohd Asraruddin Putra Omar
Mohd Nasriq Baharom
Mohd Muslim Ahmad
Mohd Aidil Zafuan Abdul Radzak
Mahali Jasuli
Mazlizam Mohamad

Midfielders
Baddrol Bakhtiar
S. Kunanlan
K. Gurusamy
Mohd Safiq Rahim
Mohd Amirul Hadi Zainal
Amar Rohidan

Strikers
Abdul Manaf Mamat
Norshahrul Idlan Talaha
Ahmad Fakri Saarani
Mohd Zaquan Adha Abdul Radzak

The Flying Doctor a.k.a Fastest Man in Asia

M JEGATHESAN (415) DURING 1960's

In his day, he was regarded as the fastest man in Asia. In 1966, he earned the accolade of being the fastest man in Asia by winning three gold medals at the Bangkok Asian Games in the 100 m, 200 m and 400 m events. Datuk Dr Mani Jegathesan, fondly called the Flying Doctor for blazing the tracks around Asia despite being a doctor, was an icon in the 1960s, regarded as the "Golden Era" of Malaysian athletics.

At the Kingston Commonwealth Games in 1966, Dr Jega became the first Malaysian to qualify for the final of the 220-yard (now the 200 m) race. Forty years later, Dr Jegathesan not only became an accomplished athlete, well-known doctor and researcher but did the country proud yet again through his appointment as Chairman of the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) Medical Commission and honorary Medical Advisor for the 2006 Melbourne Commonwealth Games.

Dr Jega has competed in three consecutive Olympics, namely Rome (1960), Tokyo (1964) and Mexico (1968). Dr Jega also has the distinction of appearing in two 200 m semi-finals in the Olympics and his time of 20.92 s, set in 1968 at the Mexico Olympics, still remains intact in the Malaysian athletics records book. His 200m national record in 1968 is the oldest in the records books but as much as he would love to see his record remain unbroken, he hopes Malaysian athletes would strive harder to not only smash his record but also reinstate the country's status as a leading power in athletics, just like in the 1960s.

His successors like Rabuan Pit, Watson Nyambek are always being highlighted by the media during major tournaments such as SEA Games and Asian Games, but why Dr Jega been forgotten? Because he is an ethnic Indian? Dear brothers and sisters, he represented Malaysia not India. I'm very disappointed with Malaysia for their racist mindset. The history shows that no one had achieved better in athletics than him until today, so do remember him for his contribution to Malaysia.

Dr Jegathesan: "It is my sincere hope to see Malaysia emerge as an athletics powerhouse in the region and appear in the final of a major event like the Asian, Commonwealth or Olympic Games."

Not much we can do to save local football, but our vote might help

Most of us always criticise our national team and also local league. Every time when our national team lose in international tournaments, local media, football pundits and fans have mixed reaction on the poor performance. In fact, FAM ignoring the messages and keep on with old trend by denying all the allegations and refuse to reform within them and the players too.

So this time I guess FAM somewhat aware that they need to do something to save local football. Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) secretary-general Datuk Azzuddin Ahmad cited that our local league needs to be privatised. Read here- Malaysian League may be privatised in 2011. For me, I applaud this decision. This is the very first right thing suggested by FAM. Hope this is the first step which will lead our football to greater level.

Dear readers, definitely we personally have not much things to do to save our football, but our vote might help. I will write and send this vote results and my personal opinion according to the results after the polling date closed to FAM. So that FAM will get our messages and thus respond. So do your part by voting in the sidebar of my blog. You are welcomed to leave your comment in this post as well.

MAJULAH BOLA SEPAK UNTUK NEGARA!

Malaysia is not ready for F1!

It’s a fact that Malaysia is not ready to own a F1 race team, furthermore such act would not help Malaysia in contributing to its economy progress. And definitely it’s not a proper way to use taxpayer’s money to spend on this mega project.

To our PM, please get back to basics and listen to us before things get out of hand and millions of tax payer’s money wasted to pursue something which does not benefit the people at all. The people deserve to be taken care of. Present economic turmoil does not allow us to spend in high-cost project such as to own a F1 race team.

Honestly, the people do not need the ‘Malaysian Formula 1 team’. What we need is better standard of living, better public transport system, reduce or even abolish the highway tolls, reduce the car prices or decrease fuel prices. Stop spending money on this useless project.In fact, BMW and Honda pulled out due to heavy cost. I’m sure that this project is to create several millionaires, not for '1Malaysia'.

The poor need better living standard, with that volume of investments, the standard of all system can be better improved for sure in the rural and outlying areas in East Malaysia and the chronic poor areas on the peninsula. Why our leaders never think in such way, all they think is how to make their cronies rich. This is Malaysia for more than 50 years. All poor Malaysians are hoping that their fate will change one day, but their hope will remain as a hope as long as such politicians exist.

We don’t want everyone who involve in the project blaming each other because of the failure at last. Learn from China and India on how to strengthen competitiveness in the economy. If you want the world to respect us, clean up FAM and reform our national football team first! Malaysia is not ready for F1, so don’t waste people’s money there.

Malaysia Boleh!

I feel ashamed when Malaysia in the same level as other poor and chaotic nations like Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Somalia, Myanmar, Pakistan and etc. Definitely it’s hard to accept that fact, but we need to admit our failure. Well, we have all advantages more than the nations, then why we couldn’t perform? Within 16 years we drop almost 80 spots from 79th in the world ranking to 157th place. But our leaders keep on saying that our football performances are improving. FUNNY!

Look at the table that I have edited from here and here. This is where we are now! Sincerely nothing to proud of, although there were slim lost to EPL king MU 2-3, it doesn’t mean that your performance has improved. Stop cheating the Malaysians, start reform the team and boost up the Malaysia national team in the FIFA world ranking now!

THIS IS HOW MALAYSIA HAS PERFORMED SO FAR:

(CLICK ON THE PICTURE TO ENLARGE)

(CLICK ON THE PICTURE TO ENLARGE)

Mokhtar Dahari, R Arumugam, Isa Bakar, Soh Chin Aun, Santokh Singh, Wong Choon Wah, Hassan Sani, Reduan Abadullah... Can we create them again?

‘Anyone who complacently maintains that racism is impossible in their territory is not only wrong but irresponsible.’ FIFA President Sepp Blatter

BEFORE

THE MULTIRACIAL TEAM (THE 1980 MOSCOW OLYMPIC TEAM)

THE TRUE MALAYSIAN TEAM


AFTER
THE UNDERDOGS 'FOR ALL' (THIS IS THE ONLY PICTURE THAT I HAVE FOUND)

Malaysia is currently in 157^th position out of 190 countries in the FIFA world ranking. Malaysia’s performance worst than Thailand (117^th), Singapore (127^th), Vietnam (131th), Indonesia (132th), and even Hong Kong (137^th) and India (147^th). The teams were beating boys for Malaysia, but it's a total different story recently, these teams stand an equal chance to beat Malaysia and some are well above Malaysia's standards. Read FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking.

Why Malaysia’s football gone to the rubbish? The truth is 70’s national team consisted multiracial and competent players. Our team has lots of excellent records that able to proud of. The multiracial team qualified for the 1972 and the 1980 Olympics. Now when look at the players in our national team, all nothing more than a single race players that showing their ‘Beckam’ style hair fashion and playing football like school boys.

We have failed to show those days ‘Malaysian’ team, please don’t sweep racism issue under the carpet. Many of ethnic Indian, Chinese, Sabahan and Sarawakian boys are keeping their dream to play for the nation football team, please fulfill their never-ending dream. In fact, our nation always claim that football is our no 1 sport despite the lousy condition of the national team. Let me tell you the truth that the people in the street look at me a kind when I wear Malaysian national football jersey. Why? Because they lost confident on the national team!

Don’t you remember Mokhtar Dahari, R Arumugam and Soh Chin Aun? R Arumugam tightened the goal box and Soh Chin Aun in solid defense and Mokhtar Dahari’s took part in forward with his sharp attacks, our national team qualified for 1980 Moscow Olympics and also won bronze medal in 1974 Tehran Asian Games. The trio was in the most-feared Malaysian team. Don’t forget that Malaysia was once beaten Arsenal when Mokhtar scored twice to overcome the English club. Along with Shukor Salleh, Santokh Singh, Wong Choon Wah, Hassan Sani, Chow Chee Keong, Reduan Abadullah, Isa Bakar, Bakri Ibni, Lim Teong Kim, the Malaysian team was among the best in this region.

Since then Malaysia have never had a team which came close to the passion, drive and hunger to emulate the success of the 70’s national team. Now our nation team even couldn’t qualify for the Asian cup by appears as beaten boys for Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia and Vietnam. Football is to unite multiracial Malaysia, don't use it as a tool to depress the minorities! Admit that minorities are Malaysian too, give them chances to deliver their talent in the national team.

I hope my sincere message reach FAM, I wrote this article because I’m a true Malaysian that love football very much. Immediate reformation needed if we wish to see our national football team shines again as it was in 1970s and 1980s.

TUNKU'S ERA OF MALAYSIAN FOOTBALL TEAM

MOKHTAR DAHARI AND DIEGO MARADONA (DURING FREIDNSLY GAME AGAINST BORCA JUNIORS)

MALAYSIAN 'THIRSTY' OF ANOTHER MOKHTAR DAHARI

SHANTOKH SINGH AND REDZUAN ABDULLAH

ARUMUGAM (SPIDERMAN), MALAYSIA'S BEST EVER KEEPER