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As published in Malay Mail today Haresh Says By Haresh Deol DATUK SERI Paul Mony Samuel was a top notch international football administrator. He was a class act, one whose involvement in four World Cups — USA 1994, France 1998, Korea-Japan 2002 and Germany 2006 — was a testament of Fifa’s faith in him. When news broke that Paul, 71, had died on Saturday, many scrambled to find out more about the Kedahan, a former schoolteacher who later rubbed shoulders with royalty, world leaders and football stars. Sadly, Paul was remembered only by those who remember him. The FA of Malaysia’s (FAM) media team was quick to inform the press of his passing. But there was no mention on its website about the man who was FAM general-secretary for 15 years (1985-2000). The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) paid tribute to him and declared a minute of silen ce will be observed during this week’s AFC Champions league matches. It was an obvious tribute for its former general-secretary (2007-2...

As published in Mailsport today       By Haresh Deol   haresh@mmail.com.my PETALING JAYA — The death of Datuk Seri Paul Mony Samuel (pic) yesterday shocked the football fraternity as condolences poured in from all over the world, paying tribute to one of the nation's finest sports administrators.   Paul died at the KPJ Damansara Specialist Hospital at   8.45pm   after suffering from Parkinson's disease for more than a decade. The former FA of Malaysia (FAM), Asean Football Federation (AFF) and Asian Football Confederation (AFC) general-secretary was 71.   One man who misses him dearly is his former “student”, Asian Football Confederation (AFC) general-secretary Datuk Windsor Paul John.   "If I could turn back time, I would have advised Paul Mony to have a balance between football and life," said Windsor.   "But that is Paul Mony ... a man who lived and breathed football. He dedicated his soul t...

As published in Mailsport today By Vijhay Vick vijhay@mmail.com.my PETALING JAYA - Malaysia head into the Asean Football Federation (AFF) Cup as underdogs but forward Amri Yahyah is not a single bit perturbed by it. In fact, he insists he likes it that way. “I prefer being the underdogs,” Amri said. “Remember, in 2010 we were not the favourites but we went on to win the competition for the first time in our history. “We are in the same situation now, who knows if we end up winning the tournament again. The key is getting everything right during the competition.” Amri would likely feature in the starting eleven alongside clubmate Norshahrul Idlan Talaha when Malaysia play Myanmar in the Group B opener on Sunday. Harimau Malaya face a difficult prospect of reaching the knockout stages as the odds favour Thailand and hosts Singapore to progress based on recent form. Malaysia only have one win to parade since Dollah Salleh took charge in July. The team suffered defe...