Foul!

As published in Mailsport today Haresh Deol haresh@mmail.com.my KUALA LUMPUR — It was a sensation Datuk Ong Kim Swee could not describe. Right after Fifa informed FA of Malaysia (FAM) regarding a switch in the Palestine-Malaysia World Cup qualifying venue, the interim national coach quickly called his family. Palestine were to host Saudi Arabia in Ramallah today and Malaysia on Nov 12 at the Dura Stadium in Hebron — a city which had been hit by numerous attacks between security forces and Palestinians in recent weeks. Palestinian FA (PFA) were supposed to “provide Fifa urgently all the details of the chosen neutral ground for the hosting of both matches”.  “My family were relieved. I was relieved as well after (FAM general secretary) Datuk Hamidin Amin broke the news,” he said. Fifa had yesterday informed PFA the matches against Saudi Arabia and Malaysia must be played on neutral ground.  Fifa said “the Palestinian government confirmed ...

As published in Mailsport today By Haresh Deol haresh@mmail.com.my        KUALA LUMPUR — FA of Malaysia (FAM) will write to Fifa for a third time to request the World Cup qualifier against Palestine in Hebron on Nov 12 be played at a neutral venue. This follows recent reports of shootings between security forces and Palestinians recently. Fifa rejected FAM’s two earlier appeals, insisting the match will proceed at Dura Stadium. Saudi Arabia, who meet Palestine in another World Cup qualifier on Thursday, raised concerns of playing in the West Bank in their letter to Fifa on Friday. The teams were scheduled to play in Ramallah on Oct 13 but that was postponed after the Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF) invoked a case of force majeure preventing their team from travelling to the Palestinian territories. ”We are aware of the situation and will write to Fifa (today) to express our concerns. We have written to them before but that will n...

As published in Malay Mail today       By Haresh Deol haresh@mmail.com.my KUALA LUMPUR — Ultras Malaya insisted they were not to be blamed for the heavy punishment meted out by Fifa against the FA of Malaysia (FAM) following riots at the stands during the World Cup/Asian Cup qualifier between Malaysia and Saudi Arabi on Sept 8.   Its leader Alfadli Awaludin, popularly known as Rambo, said critics ought to look at the root cause of the incident at Shah Alam Stadium instead of playing the blame game.    Fans had launched flares, smoke bombs and firecrackers onto the pitch in the 88th minute of the match to vent their frustration following Harimau Malaya’s 10-0 defeat to United Arab Emirates in a previous qualifying match. Fifa handed FAM a 40,000 Swiss francs (RM180,000) fine and a warning. The Sept 8 match was also awarded to Saudi with a 3-0 score.   “If anyone thinks the Ultras are to be blamed, then they are being very shal...

...Trent Milton scoring a goal in the dying minutes as Australia bagged the Azlan Shah Cup with the final score of 3-2. However, the Malaysians were the first to start the ball rolling thanks to Faizal Saari. Australia equalised through Nicholas Budgeon and later took the lead through Carig Boyne's effort. Tengku Ahmad Tajuddin made it 2-2 for the host team but it wasn't enough as the team from Down Under stole the limelight in front of a packed stadium in the final minutes of the match. This is Malaysia's fourth appearance in the final but they have yet to win the tournament. It was also painful to watch the friendly (football) match between Malaysia and Saudi Arabia at the Shah Alam Stadium yesterday. The Harimau Malaya hardly threatened the visitors as the Saudis were two goals up at half time courtesy of Yousef Alsalem and Yahya Alshehri. K.Rajagobal's lads put on a better show in the second half and were rewarded with a goal thanks to Safiq Rahim. N...