Foul!

As published on the front page of Malay Mail today. By Haresh Deol haresh@mmail.com.my PETALING JAYA — A young policeman, who joined the force just six months ago, is among 26 enforcement officers picked up by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) for alleged links with petrol and diesel smugglers in Durian Burung, Kedah. In what has been described as a major bust, MACC is expected to arrest more people, including police officers stationed near the Malaysia-Thailand border. The anti-corruption body had last year nabbed 12 Customs Department officers for their links with alcohol and tobacco smuggling, mainly through Port Klang. The smuggling racket cost the government billions in tax revenue. MACC had been monitoring the movements of the suspects — including nine policemen and a former Smuggling Prevention Unit (UPP) ASP who retired recently — before conducting a two-day blitz codenamed Ops Licin 2, on Monday and yesterday. The suspect...

Going Nuts by Graig Nunis, as published in Mailsport today. SOME Malaysians are going ga-ga over Astro’s new Hits channel which replays popular shows from the 1980s with many enjoying the campy, crappy, over-the-top and just plain silly The A-Team. The show is about a group of former American Special Forces who help the downtrodden and the oppressed (while eluding the long arm — or in this case, short arm of the law). Throughout the show’s four seasons, the heroes fired thousands of rounds of bullets without killing anyone — a little like Liverpool’s strikers who as the old joke goes, wouldn’t be able to score in a brothel! Campy, crappy, over-the-top and just plain silly could also best describe FA of Malaysia (FAM). Just when you thought things could not get any worse after the Malaysia Cup fiasco when the biggest local football match had to share the vicinity of the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil with a Buddhist prayer event and a Sarawak carnival — making life...

Imagine getting into your car all geared to watch a football match only to be involved in an accident and your vehicle having turned turtle by the side of the road. Many of us would be traumatised. But not this particular fanatic football lover who refers himself as Aduka Seri Perkasa.   Apparently he got involved in an accident while on his way to watch the Malaysia-Myanmar Merdeka tournament match on Monday. Instead, he flagged down a taxi and continued his journey to Kuantan to watch the match. And the trip turned out to be worthwhile as Malaysian edged Myanmar 2-1 to book a spot in the final. Having checked his Twitter and Facebook page and also a one line reply from him over the "accident", it is safe to say Aduka is a hardcore football fan.  But this is not just about the "accident". It is about fans who are willing to travel the distance to support the national team despite many had claimed the ticket prices are "too steep". The FA o...

UPDATE 4.00pm: Taken from Ticket Pro : Attention! Good News! Ticket prices have been reduced!!! Sales information (11-Sep-2013): Temerloh Stadium (Myanmar vs Singapore): RM20 (Free seating) and RM25 (Grandstand) · Stadium Darul Makmur (Malaysia vs Thailand): RM20 (Free seating) and RM50 (Grandstand) And ... Latest information at Stadium Darul Makmur: RM20 (Free seating) and RM50 (Grandstand) Today's press conference also featured FAM Secretary, Dato Hamidin who made the announcement in hope that the reduced ticket prices # PESTABOLAMERDEKA will continue to receive better response to Thursday's match and the Final. He hoped that with lower prices, more fans and viewers will come to enliven the Merdeka Tournament mainly to embolden our 'Tiger'. So what are you waiting for? Get your tickets now!   Refunds will be made for those who bought higher priced advance tickets please see below:   ---- They were given a rude shock, o...

It has been rather 'interesting' reading several comments on Twitter on how certain folks are defending the fact Thailand has sent a team comprising of mainly lower division league players. Sadly none spoke about the need of  teams respecting tournaments. It reminds one of the Monomotapa United FC fiasco in 2009. A team of more than 20-odd players form ONE particular club donned the national jersey and played K.Rajagobal's squad. When pressed for answers, the then FA of Malaysia general secretary was not amused, as he produced a letter by the Zimbabwe FA, signed off by its chief executive officer Henritta Rushwaya, insisting the African side is the national team. When Rushwaya was booked for several offences including her involvement in match-fixing including the match against Malaysia, FAM then quickly changed its tune by saying; "oh but how can we question a fellow FA." It must be stressed that this is in NO implying the Thai team in Kuantan is anything l...

The list of players of the Thailand team competing in the Merdeka Cup revealed 16 players are from Narathiwat FC. Kelantan were supposed to play Narathiwat but were told the Thai team will be playing in a "perlawanan empat penjuru" in Kuantan. Instead, Kelantan will play Yala FC on Sept 10. The coach accompanying the Thai team - with players ranging from the ages of 20 to 31 - is the assistant coach of the nation's Under-23 team. But Thailand FA insists the Thai team in Kuantan is representing the nation, as published in Mailsport today. For the record, Singapore, Myanmar and hosts Malaysia will be fielding their Under-23 squads. Meanwhile, Harimau Muda A coach Ong Kim Swee is expecting a stiff competition as his lads take on the Singapore Under-23 team in the curtain raiser tomorrow (kick off 5.30pm Darulaman Stadium). "People may say we have been training together overseas but you must understand a large number of the Singaporean players have been play...

Will Thailand be sending their national Under-23 squad for the Merdeka Cup tournament? That seems to be the poser as sources in Bangkok revealed 16 out of the 22 players selected for the tournament hail from division two southern region league Nara United FC. Three other players are from Muangthong FC youth team while the remaining players are from the Thai Police team. “This is not our national Under-23 team as most of them are attached to their clubs and have commitments. This is just a selection of players, mostly from Nara United,” revealed an insider. Apparently Thai newspapers have questioned the Thailand FA but have not been able to get a straight answer from them. And Harimau Muda A coach Ong Kim Swee is not impressed, if the Thais do not come with their national Under-23 squad. Read more in Mailsport today. HD says: Foreign teams should start taking our competitions seriously.

Thailand FA president Worawi Makudi (pic) has vowed to build the Asian Football College should he win the mandate to helm the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) come the presidential polls on May 2, 2013. As one of the five pledges in his election manifesto, the college is aimed at molding individuals into professionals in the fields of coaching, refereeing and football administration. “I’m aware that similar courses and programmes are available elsewhere but those are very general. What this college would offer are programmes fine-tuned to the specifics of football itself,” said Worawi. Read the full article here . So what is more exciting? A football university in the region or Worawi becoming the next AFC president? HD says: Thailand coach Winfried Schaefer's days are numbered, according to The Nation .

Formula One world champion Sebastian Vettel stormed to victory in a thrilling Malaysian Grand Prix on Sunday, leading a Red Bull one-two ahead of teammate Mark Webber in a race packed with intrigue, incident and plenty of bad blood. Read the full article here . Meanwhile, Kiradech Aphibarnrat of Thailand won the weather-shortened Maybank Malaysian Open at Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club, as reported here .  HD says: And Malaysians will play host as always.

Singapore won the AFF Cup after managing a 3-1 win in the first leg final before losing 1-0 in the second leg. With a 3-2 aggregate, it was enough for the Lions to win their fourth title (1998, 2004, 2007 & 2012). Most of the Islanders enjoyed time together playing in the Malaysian Super League. Perhaps the time spent paid off. Nevertheless, credit goes to the Republic for they have won the title four times while Malaysia are still harping over their 2010 success. Where do we go from here? Perhaps we need to close our AFF 2012 chapter and move forward. To expect miracles in the 2015 Asian Cup qualifications is asking too much. And to lose good officials - currently in the form of Kelly Sathiraj to the FA of Thailand - ...it has to stop. Start listening to your own people, keep your egos aside. If you think you're darn good, then why nothing has changed over the years? Otherwise, Malaysians will always be known as being fair and kind to others, helping others to...

Many had expected the tactically superior Thais to draw or perhaps gain an early lead against Singapore at the Jalan Besar Stadium last night. Instead, hosts Singapore stunned Thailand 3-1 in the first leg AFF Cup final. I take back my words as both teams dished out excellent performances. Singapore obtained their goals through Mustafic Fahrudin (10th minute), Khairul Amri Kamal (61st) and Baihakki Khaizan (90th) ( pic ). The Thais, meanwhile, obtained their consolation goal through Adul Lahsoh (59th). Bet the Singaporeans will thank the FA of Malaysia (FAM) for providing them the avenue to prepare for the AFF Cup. With the exception of  Daniel Mark Bennett, Mustafic and Aleksandar Duric, the rest of the Singaporean players that saw action on the field last night featured for the LionsXII team in the Super League. However, the final has not ended with another 90 minutes to go in Bangkok on Dec 22. Once again, may the best team win. Meanwhile, here's the latest Fif...

It looks like certain parties have started their 'campaign' of installing a new national coach. Current custodian K.Rajagobal has been under fire no thanks to the unimpressive results chalked during a string of friendly matches prior the AFF Cup and the failure to retain the AFF Cup after losing 3-1 in aggregate to Thailand in the semi finals of the regional tournament. To be fair, Rajagobal has always maintained that his goal has always been to qualify for the 2015 Asian Cup in Australia. Remember it is he who guided the team to win the 2010 edition. But what have we achieved since? As our neighbours Thailand and Singapore speak about their teams playing in the two-legged AFF Cup finals, Ong Kim Swee - Harimau Malaya's coach - hogs the limelight in the local dailies as some suggest he should take over Rajagobal's role. There are also polls on social media if Rajagobal should stay of leave ( pic right ). Amri Yahyah claims Kim Swee is suitable for the job as...

It was nothing like the first leg semi final clash at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil. Malaysia gave their visitors a run for their money despite the laser lights dancing around the bad field. It was a different story in Bangkok. The pitch was equally bad but South Korean referee Lee Min Hu will have a lot of explaining to do after sending off Fadhli Shas in the first half of the return leg semi final clash between both nations. Both teams were overly cautious in their tactics with Thailand spending most of the time in the Malaysian half. All they needed were two quick goals in the second half - courtesy of Teerasil Dangda and  Theerathon Butmathan (60th and 65th minutes respectively) sealed the deal for the host nation as they advance to the final with a 3-1 aggregate. Are the national defenders to be blamed for the two goals? Members of the Media in Bangkok quoted national coach K.Rajagobal as saying he is "proud of his lads" and will now "focus for the...

Singapore edged the Philippines 1-0 in the AFF Cup return leg semifinal at the Jalan Besar Stadium last night. The solitary goal of the match was scored by Khairul Amri in the 19th minute and the Island nation advanced to the final with a 1-0 aggregate (after having managed a goalless draw in the first leg clash in Manila on Saturday). National pride and personal sentiments aside, it remains unclear if both teams deserve a place in the semi finals to begin with . Nevertheless, Singapore did thrash Malaysia 3-0 in the curtain raiser at Bukit Jalil - Malaysia's worst defeat to their neighbours on home soil. Also, the other teams have failed to live up to expectations as many now question the standard of play in the region compared to the 2010 edition. That aside, the Harimau Malaya squad will now take on Thailand in the other return leg semi final in Bangkok tonight (8pm). Both teams were tied to a 1-1 draw in their first battle at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil on Sun...

National coach K.Rajagobal admitted his side will face an uphill battle when they play Thailand in Bangkok in the AFF Cup return leg semifinal this Thursday. Malaysia were held to a 1-1 draw against the Thais in the first leg match held at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil last night. Norshahrul Idlan Talaha finally inked his name on the score sheet with a goal in the 48th minute but Thailand's Teerasil Dangda silenced the Malaysian crowd with a brilliant header in the 78th minute. Rajagobal had this to say; “It was the best match we’ve played. Honestly, we deserved a 3-1 win but I can’t ask for more. We didn’t start with the core players but the boys played a good match. “I know it will be a tough match in Thailand and it can go any way. The critics thought Thailand would have defeated us at Bukit Jalil but that didn’t happen. This is football.” Thailand coach German Winfried Anton Schafer   - who was sent off by Iranian referee Torki Mohsen Ramezanali - ...

Malaysians may not have to wait much longer to enjoy higher mobile broadband speeds. The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) has announced the allocation of the much anticipated 2600 MHz spectrum band, paving the way for Malaysians to enjoy 4G services which could offer mobile broadband speeds in excess of 100 Mbps. That was obtained from a statement by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission. Read the full statement here . What does this means? Speedier broadband connections would mean information made available faster at your finger tips.This will see the a change in the way news, advertisements and even promotions presented to the users. The 4G services would see new smartphones dominating the industry as most use 3G phones at the moment. Downloads, mobile communication will be faster, benefiting the end user. This would surely be a plus point for investors to build their bases here. However, here's hoping that the telecommunic...

Wan Zack Haikal Wan Nor ( pic ) - Out Safee Sali - Doubtful Khyrill Muhymeen Zambari - Doubtful S.Kunalan - Recovering (unsure if he will be in the right temperament and fully fit for the semi finals) National coach K.Rajagobal was quoted by Bernama as saying; "Saya tidak mahu mengambil risiko dengan menyenaraikan Wan Zack Haikal pada kedua-dua perlawanan nanti terutamanya perlawanan separuh akhir pertama pada Ahad ini (di Stadium Nasional Bukit Jalil).     "Saya akui ketiadaan Wan Zack dalam pasukan kebangsaan merupakan kerugian besar kerana beliau telah mempamerkan persembahan menarik pada perlawanan peringkat kumpulan B." Also read Sports247's Wounded Tigers . Will Malaysia be fully prepared ahead their AFF Cup first leg semi final clash against Thailand at the National Stadium, Bukit Jalil on Sunday (kick off 8pm)? HD says : Hm....

UiTM senior lecturer Sadek Mustaffa spoke about players having Peripheral view and to how Malaysia's win effected the sale of the national jersey. Zainal Abidin Hassan believes this team is good enough to defend the title. My harapan - is to see Malaysia win the AFF Cup. All three of us were on TV3's Scoreboard earlier. The show was hosted by Nadia Zuber. We stressed that playing Thailand will be an uphill battle - even more so with the second leg being played in Bangkok. I believe the winner of this clash will go on to net the title. No disrespect to the other semifinalists the Philippines and Singapore. As said months before the tournament - the Azkals could pull some surprises this time around as they have improved tremendously. Even national coach K.Rajagobal agreed to a certain extent, as seen in this posting published in March. Those who had conversations with me will remember I said the national team would occupy the top four but anything beyond will be a bo...

It was a grin that said a lot. National coach Datuk K.Rajagobal immediately looked up and said; “I have to do more prayers” before bursting into laughter. Beyond the smile, Rajagobal is hoping for intervention from the Al-Mighty when his lads take on Thailand in the semi finals as he knows it will not be easy meat playing against the tournament’s favourites. Even the defending champions tag will do little as Malaysia know that Thailand is capable of stealing the thunder this time around. “Thailand is a strong team. We are already in the semi finals and now we must prepare for our next match. I don’t want to think too much but to ensure the boys are all geared up for the next round,” said Rajagobal. “It’s not going to be easy.” Harimau Malaya prowl into the AFF Cup semi finals after managing to maul Indonesia 2-0 in their final Group B match at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil. Earlier, the national coach applauded his players despite a jittery start in the ...