Foul!

But it certainly wasn't the result everyone was anticipating. The Tigers edged Taiwan 2-1 in the first leg Asian zone 2014 World Cup qualifier last night. Both teams will meet again in the return leg in Taiwan on Sunday. National coach K.Rajagobal was relieved but disappointed - as reported here . The nation's much glorified striker Safee Sali will not see any action in Taiwan as stated here . It was agreed that Malaysia much anticipate an even stronger resistance in the coming game, as seen here . HD says: Still got time...

UPDATE (3.30pm): MPC has appointed two officials to investigate how I managed to obtain information about the dealings. Here are the facts: 1. The Malaysian Paralympics Council (MPC) channeled RM4 million from its coffers to a company called Paralimpik Ventures Sdn Bhd. 2. A check with the Companies Commission of Malaysia shows the MPC president and his sons as the directors for Paralimpik Ventures. 3. MPC president claims the money is for a new building block which land has yet to be given by the government. 4. MPC has not held an AGM since 2005. 5. Council members are clueless over the supposed RM4 million 'investment'. Read all about it in today's The Malay Mail . HD says: Fact - It was supposed to be a commentary for my weekly column and as usual it was hijacked - yet again - by the newsdesk.

Well that seems to be the deal. Singapore's Young Lions will play in the Super League, our Harimau Muda play in the S-League. Observers are baffled. Why Singapore? Or is there more than meets the eyes? Tigers in Lion's den - that's the title of my column in today's Mailsports. Here's hoping that the exco will decided wisely on the future of our national heroes. HD says: Maybe Singaporean blogger Po Hui could give his take on this.

World No 1 Lee Chong Wei bagged his third Indonesian Open over the weekend. Well done. And he has been in fine form since early this year. NST's badminton expert KM Boopathy believes Chong Wei is now ready for the World title - his first ever. However, Lin Dan is known to spring surprises. And he could steal the thunder at the World Championships in London in August. Or it could be a situation where both Chong Wei and Lin Dan could suffer early shocks - as seen in Paris last year. This will be Chong Wei's final attempt at glory before a shot at winning the Olympics gold medal next year. It's now or never. HD says: All the best Chong Wei.

I remember studying the slope issue at Bukit Antarabangsa during my early years studying Civil Engineering. Through that case study I befriended several engineers from Kumpulan Ikram Group of Companies . In 2008, the cracks appeared at the MRR2 beams and I was reliably told that Ikram were not approached to do an assessment of the cracks. A foriegn company was appointed by the government instead. Now SSDhaliwal speaks of an RM6 million affair involving the Sports Ministry. A foreign institution has been awarded a sub-contract to conduct a study on sports in Malaysia. The irony is we have several institutions in the country quite capable of conducting similar studies and I quote - UM, UiTM, UPM and UPSI. So why were they not considered? Read more here. With RM6million, one can afford to own: 1. an SLS AMG (RM1,999,999.00 - OTR w/o insurance - pic ) 2. A luxury condo at Tijani 2 , Kenny Hill (RM2.65 million - w/o lawyer's fee) 3. A Harley Davidson AND a Ducati of any model. 4. A w...

India created history after managing a 12-9 win over arch rivals Pakistan in the Asian-Australasian-African Championships final at the Royal Selangor Polo Club on Saturday. It was their first win abroad. Read more here . However, a finishing sixth in the seven-nation tournament has left the Royal Malaysian Polo Association (RMPA) undecided if they want to bid to host the 2014 FIP Polo World Cup Finals. “There are several other factors that need to be considered before we decide if want to bid. I have been told that several other countries like India, Pakistan and Canada are also bidding for the 2014 Finals,” said RMPA president Tengku Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah ( pic ). “We need to raise our polo to a higher level. Some changes are needed to take the game to new heights. It was a good learning experience for the team. They showed tremendous fighting spirit but that alone cannot win matches," added Tengku Abdullah - who is also the Malaysian Hockey Federation president and the FA o...

I was invited as a guest for Astro Arena's Dengan Izin which was aired earlier (11.30pm). The host, former Mailsport journo Rizal Hashim, had posed many 'interesting' questions revolving around the FA of Malaysia and the National Sports Council. There were moments where things seemed a little tensed but it was all done in good faith - I presume. That aside, I thank senior producer Slamet Sazly Yakub for the opportunity to be on the show - which has featured a string of high ranking officials in the past. And as I said on the show..it's nothing personal. HD says: Will see you on Monday Rizal.

UPDATE (June 25, 11.47am): This comment appeared below my story in Mailsport "Congratulation MALAYSIA. You are on your way to new heights. However, rather disappointed that the No. 1 & 2 man in FAM does not have the time to watch our players slogging for this win . Supposedly the congratulaory message will be sent out from somewhere overseas. Anak Perak" I guess Anak Perak is merely stating facts. UPDATE (June 25, 7.38pm) : This was posted by FV Craziest on Rizal Hashim's Facebook wall; 'Fv Craziest Presiden FAM sila letak Jawatan!!!! jom kasi sokongan... semoga Muhammad Rizal Hashim diberi kekuatan utk terus bersuara demi bolasepak Malaysia http://www.facebook.com/pages/ Rizal-Hashim-Dengan-Izin/12501 7577584552" As Rizal said..."Wow". ----- Now for the next hurdle. Ong Kim Swee was a proud man. The national players deserved a pat on their backs. They fought tooth and nail in that match. Despite playing with 10-men, Malaysia were clea...

I am part of the Malaysian Spurs emailing group. There have been a number of threads, from the new kits to the latest signings of the London team. But one thread caught my eye - Our olympic team And here are what some of them said: Leonard Chua Ching Huat No Malaysian team can beat the one we assembled in 1980! Sorry Shebby... That was the best iconic Malaysian team ever! Till today we talk about Spidey Arumugam, super mokh, chin Aun, santokh, Shukor salleh, Hassan Sani, James Wong, Peter rajah, bakri Ibni like it was yesterday.... We can only wished we will have that kind of calibre ever again... That was truly a 1Malaysia team unlike these days... Shebby Singh No apology needed! That was the best ever all time national team! Syahizan Amir Well, the new team is quite good too..Nearly won the game in Lubnan..We decided to play defensively in the first half.. Ong Kim Swee did very good lah.. Insyaallah, we can beat them at home.. Especially with strong home support..Come o...

I really do. They have well-maintained tennis courts that comes under the PJ City Council (MBPJ). But to rent the courts, that's another story - which got many people scratching their heads. It's been going on for years, but nothing has been done to rectify it. From the Sidelines today speaks about it. HD says: Main Grand Slam Tennis on Nintendo Wii jer la.

Friendly matches are the best place for a team to gauge their level of play with the opposing team. When Malaysia were handed a 5-1 and 9-1 whacking by Holland in two test matches last week, it gets you thinking. National coach Tai Beng Hai ( pic ) told The Star's S.Ramaguru that the fast pace set by the Dutch overwhelmed the new players and they could not get their game going. In the same article , team manager Stephen Van Huizen was quoted as saying: “Although the score looks bad, there was some good play from the team." Perhaps...I guess. Here's hoping that the team make full use of the remaining nine matches tour in Europe. HD says: Hopes to tour Holland someday.

UPDATE 12.15pm: Kim Swee is encouraged by the first leg result - as reported in today's Mailsport . Malaysia managed to hold Lebanon to a goalless draw in the first leg of the Olympic qualifier at the Camille Chamoun Sports City Staidum in Beirut. Wan Zack Haikal Wan Noor and Gary Steven Robbat deserve special mention for playing an instrumental role in the match. Goalkeeper Khairul Che Mat was tested on several occasions but managed to keep a clean sheet. Both teams will play the return leg at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil on June 23. HD says: Still got time.

DIBARISI majoriti ‘muka lama’, pemilihan mesyuarat agung tahunan (AGM) Majlis Olimpik Malaysia (MOM) ke-30 semalam menyaksikan tiga muka baru dalam barisan kepimpinan MOM. That was from the first paragraph of today's Berita Harian. Read the full report here . I remember writing about the last Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) elections, titled New (old) OCM . I wonder what has truly changed. Well I'm waiting for OCM to introduce transparency, freedom of information and protection for whistle-blowers as reported in Mailsports not too long ago. I know some who sit within the OCM board will find such a policy 'difficult'. All the best to the 'new' board...I guess. OCM line-up President: Tunku Tan Sri Imran Tuanku Jaafar (incumbent, unopposed) ( pic ) Deputy president: Datuk A. Sani Karim (former vice-president, unopposed) Vice-presidents: Low Beng Choo (female) incumbent, unopposed; Tan Sri Mohamed Noor Rahim (new) 61 votes; Datuk Dr Zakaria Ahmad (incumb...

That's the ABC for success I guess. Amirulhadi Zainal and Baddrol Bakhtiar ( pic ) scored a goal each to give Malaysia a comfortable 2-0 win against Myanmar in a friendly match at the Sultan Mohammad IV Stadium in Kota Baru, Kelantan. The visitors were quite disorganised on many occasions and the Malaysians could have played better but for the heavy pitch due to a heavy rain earlier in the evening. At least it gave some 10,000 fans in Kelantan something to cheer about. By the way, Happy Father's Day. MALAYSIA: Mohd Sharbinie Allawee (K. Sasikumar), Baddrol Bakhtiar, Amirulhadi Zainal, Helmi Remeli (Yong Kuong Yong), Mohd Shakir Shaari (Amar Rohidan), S. Kunalan, Abdul Hadi Yahaya, Safiq Rahim (C), Mohamad Aidil Zafuan (Rizal Fahmi Abd Rosid), Asrarudddin Putra and Farisham Ismail (Azmi Muslim) MYANMAR: Kyaw Zin Htet, Min Ko Ko (Zaw Zaw Oo), Pai Soe, David Htan (Soe Myat Thu) (Mai Aih Naing), Kyaw Ko Ko, Kyi Lin, Yan Aung Kyaw (Naing Soe Wai), Zaw...

Malaysia lost 12-5 to India in their second match of the Asia-Australasian-African Polo Championships at the Royal Pahang Polo Club grounds in Pekan yesterday. Despite an inspiring win against New Zealand on Tuesday, the defeat sent the national polo team crashing out of contention for a top four finish and a place in the semi-finals. The champions, runners-up and the winner of the playoff of third and fourth place qualify for the World Cup Finals in San Luis, Argentina from Oct 11-25. This tournament also doubles up as the Zone D Qualifier for the Finals. Malaysia coach Carlos Pando said his athletes were not at their best against the Indians. “It was not our day today,” said the Argentinian. “The big defeat killed our hopes. This happens in sports and polo is no exception. India played really well and we have to accept that.” National team manager Ahmad Jamili Rashid blamed it on the horses. “The horses made all the difference. Everyone could see that India had b...

Finally I watched Kongsi and when the show ended, I was all smiles. Farid Kamil did a fantastic job directing the movie - there was a scene in front of a Buddha statue, some characters bearing tattoos, a couple of censored words and a fight scene in front of a pork stall. You wouldn't get this in your typical Malay movie. Not bad seriously. Way better than those cheesy toyol movies that are being churned out every year. Shaheizy Sam played as the leading actor, a Thai named Tumulak. He pulled it off darn bloody well. Molek, molek. Two thumbs up. The movie's tagline should be the Malaysian sports scene motto - lu lansi, lu mati. HD says: Serabut perut nate beruk nie. Lol!

"I want to take NSC director-general Zolkples Embong to task." Those were the words of BN-Arau's Ismail Kassim ( pic ) at the Dewan Rakyat yesterday. Bernama has the story here . Ismail was quoted as saying; "...the National Sports Council (NSC) should find solutions to resolve the crisis and not seek publicity by making controversial statements in the newspapers." Ouch. Ismail isn't the only one taking NSC to task. Read Rizal Hashim's NSC oh NSC and SS Dhaliwal's Just go if you cannot deliver. To better understand the TRUE functions of NSC, do read the NSC Act 1971 here. For the record, former Perlis Menteri Besar Shahidan Kassim is the Malaysian Amateur Athletics Union (MAAU) president. It is widely known MAAU and NSC do not see eye to eye on most matters. HD says: No comment.

That's the frontpage of today's The Malay Mail. Read all about it here . Our national para-athletes saw a "70 percent" reduction in their reward scheme as handed out in a ceremony in Kuching days before the Sarawak elections. Handing over money to a group of disabled people just before an election seems like a perfect political eyewash. However, these national para-athletes are disheartened. Today they've decided to speak up. But hats off to National Sports Council paralympic department director Safrushahar Yusof. Not only he answered the call, he took time off from the Kelantan-Perak Super League match to explain the situation properly. And his explanation turns out to be promising for our special athletes. During our conversation, both Kelantan and Perak were still tied to a goalless draw. Kelantan later won 1-0. HD says: Is drawing up a proposal worth RM1.8 million to start a Sports Ministry facebook page with a tutorial entitled "Ways to answer your pho...

UPDATE 2 (June 16, 2011 - 9.47am): A trainer for match fixers - that was the description of Rajendran when I was first told about him early last month. Read it in today's Mailsports . UPDATE 4.48pm: Watch Rajendran in court here . K.Rajendran ( pic - white shirt ) was charged at the Shah Alam court this morning for bribing T-Team President's Cup players. Rajendran has been on Fifa's wanted list. I'm sure Fifa head of security Chris Eaton will be pleased with the latest development. But my question, why would a man like Rajendran focus on a small league? Out to make a quick buck, or to lay low? One thing for sure, my reports last year said it all - as seen here and here . HD says: No point living in denial. Match-fixing is happening in Malaysia.

That means goodbye in Thai. Former Johor and Perak coach Steve Darby ( pic ) will not be staying in Thailand for too long. His contract with the Thailand FA ends on June 30. He will be based in Hanoi until his next move. Perhaps he could come back to Malaysia? Hm... For now, Steve's tastebuds will need to adjust from Thailand's famous Chang beer to the locally brewed Bia Hoi in Hanoi. HD says: Hope to see you soon Steve.

“We are unhappy with the mismanagement in the media area where a lot of non-media people and fans were there.” Those were the words of Sportswriters Association of Malaysia (SAM) president Ahmad Khawari Isa . Khawari saw the need to protect his SAM members and thus wrote an official complaint to the FA of Malaysia as the Media box was invaded by fans at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil during the FA Cup final on Saturday. Was there an over-print of tickets? Here's the comment from Kelab Penyokong Siber Bola Sepak Kelantan Kapasiti SBJ di penuhi 65% dari penyokong Kelantan, dikhabarkan ramai lagi yang mempunyai tiket dan tidak dapat memasuki stadium kerana tiada lagi ruangan kosong utk penyokong Kelantan.NP HD says: I'm once again listening to Saleem singing Blues Terengganu Kita.

It will be a match he would want to forget. The Red Warriors drew first blood through Nurul Azwan Roya in the 80th minute. Kelantan were so close to lifting the FA Cup title but an own goal by Daudsu Jamaluddin ( pic ) allowed Terengganu the opportunity the turn the table around. And turn the tables did they as Ahmad Nordin Alias scored for the Turtles in extra time to give his side the bragging rights. Terengganu 2, Kelantan 1 . And I'm sure the Kelantanese fans will be spending their holiday today to drown their sorrows. HD says: I was pleasantly surprised Brussels Ampang showed the match live. Not bad eh.

Press Release The name may not ring a bell in the polo fraternity as this is his first brush with the sport. However, fitness coach Raja Mohammad Firhad Raja Azidin (pic), is playing a key role for the Malaysian team as it vies for a historic place in the 2011 FIP Polo World Cup Finals in Argentina in October. Handpicked by Tengku Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah, president of the Royal Malaysian Polo Association (RMPA), the 36-year-old Johor Bahru-born Firhad has raised Malaysia’s hopes as the team hit the last lap of preparations for the Asian-Australasian-African Championships, which get underway at the Royal Pahang Polo Club grounds here on Monday. The championships also double up as the Zone D Qualifier for this year’s FIP Polo World Cup Finals in San Luis, Argentina from Oct 11-25. The top three tops in the Asian-Australasian-African Championships will qualify for the World Cup Finals. Firhad, a lecturer with UiTM Shah Alam (Faculty of Sports Science and Recreation), also helped out th...

No, those overly paid Mat Sallehs from Arsenal and Chelsea (done in alphabetical order with no preference towards any team) will NOT be at the FA Cup final tomorrow. However, fans wanting to see their favourite players in action against the Malaysian selection in July can purchase their tickets at the venue of the FA Cup final. FYI, Kelantan play Terengganu in the final at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil (kick off 8.45pm, tomorrow). Chief Executive Officer of match promoter ProEvents Group Julian Kam said; “Whether they are from Kelantan, Terengganu, Kuala Lumpur, Johor, Selangor or anywhere will be able to buy the tickets for Arsenal and Chelsea match. This is for the convenience of football fans." For more information visit TicketPro . HD says: It is a clever marketing strategy.

Of course he should right? So what should we do to ensure national coach K.Rajagobal ( pic ) stays? Firstly, we should quickly extend his contract (and not wait for the three months grace period before the contract ends). Secondly, perhaps it's time we shower our 'jewel' with class. If foreign coaches get paid in big bucks and treated like Kings, why not our very own "King" Raja? Last but not least, we should treat him with respect. Rajagobal admits his contract will expire in December this year as seen here . FYI, this is NOT an "internal matter" and I - together with the millions of football fans - am naturally "CONCERNED". The FA of Malaysia is "supposed" to be a transparent organisation and not a private playground. HD says: We always tend to glorify the wrong people but sideline the people that matter. Sadly, it happens everywhere.

Shame on you. From the Sidelines today speaks about a hockey fan's 'love' affair at the 49th Razak Cup southern zone qualifiers in Batu Pahat on Saturday. It's all mutton soup - that revives a slacking libido - to taking lessons from the Obedient Wives Club in a bid to satisfy the lust of hockey lovers. And the reason the Malacca-Negeri Sembilan match was postponed - the team manager and his assistant was at a "majlis perkahwinan". HD says: Shame, shame...

The poor conversion rate seen at the Malaysian Games basketball competition is rather alarming. Coaches are baffled. It's bad really. Even defending champions Johor and favourites Malacca are finding it difficult to score as seen here . The big scorelines does not say much as most points were made available with shots under the net instead of throws. But national women's coach Tan See Wah admitted the players are more daring to take chances. "They are daring to score. They don't care if it goes in or not. They just try their luck." Hopefully, things will improve in the second round stage which starts tomorrow (Maba Stadium). HD says: With Shaq leaving NBA, will Kobe Bryant be next?

I received a phone call from former national coach S.Selvarajoo this morning. After exchanging pleasantries, I couldn't help but ask to what actually transpired in the Selangor tennis team. He summed it up by saying; "I don't care what people say. We won the title." T.Neesha has decided not to play in the individual event after she was left out from the team event. She claims she feels "unappreciated". Neesha may not play for Selangor again and play for Sarawak - her mother's birth state - instead. Read today's NST and Mailsports . You be the judge. In sports there is something called discipline and respect - traits some people are not familiar with. HD says: And Nadal wins again....

If you think the Malaysia Games is dull, think again. Even before the Games officially started, we saw Malaysia Amateur Athletics Union (MAAU) president Shahidan Kassim conducting an interview during the flag raising ceremony at UKM in Bangi. One should have seen the look on the faces of the organisers. Then we had some Kollywood action - minus the singing bit - in the Silambam event at the National Sports Council gymnasium yesterday. THE hall was full of men and women armed with long sticks, and a judging dispute almost turned into a free-for-all in the Malaysia Games Silambam tournament at the National Sports Council Gymnasium yesterday. Read Jugjet Singh's article published in today's NST here . HD says: There's a whole week more to go.

National coach K.Rajagobal (pic) was awarded the Panglima Jasa Negara (P.J.N) which carries the title ' Datuk' in conjunction with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong's birthday. The late R.Arumugam - better known as Spiderman - also received the same recognition. Air Asia's Tony Fernandes, who is now linked with West Ham, is now known as Tan Sri Tony. Former long distance ace and multiple SEA Games gold medallist M. Ramachandran and well known local referee Subkhiddin Salleh received the Kesatria Mangku Negara (K.M.N). HD says: Congratulations.

That was reported in today's The Malay Mail . Negri Sembilan President's Cup players have been called in for questioning as it was learnt that the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission has got a video footage of the players dealing with allege bookies. They have streamlined their investigation to nine players. I expect MACC to catch some individuals soon. HD says: It's about time.

My 11 years in journalism, I certainly had fun in Bangi yesterday. The flag raising ceremony of the Malaysia Games was held at 5pm at Pendeta Zaaba College in University Kebangsaan Malaysia yesterday. As I was taking a slow drive to Bangi, I received an email from the Malaysian Amateur Athletics Union (MAAU). It stated MAAU president Shahidan Kassim ( pic ) wanted to meet the press at 5pm at the same venue. And when I reached UKM, it was a joke of all sorts. At the far right of the venue was National Sports Council director general Zolkples Embong and National Sports Institute director general Dr Ramlan Aziz greeting KL Mayor Ahmad Fuad Ismail. On at the other end of the venue, Shahidan and MAAU deputy president Karim Ibrahim was busy gathering the Press to make an announcement with regards to the national sprinters fiasco . Mind you, Shahidan's pc was held during the flag raising cermony! It was such a "heated" affair that an athlete from Malacca fainted. Kesian. Shahid...

"He comes with handsome perks, stamps his authority with ridiculous demands and once there is a change of regime, the administrator disappears. This happens repeatedly, only to see the subordinates suffer. " That's the tale of a typical administrator in Malaysia. So isn't it time for athletes to have a voice? Isn't it time for them to form an opinion and not to cater to the whims and fancies of those supposedly said to be superior than them? From the Sidelines today urges people to Speak up! If you're just a clerk in The Malay Mail or a high flying national athlete serving the nation proudly - we should all learn how to voice our opinions. Let the voices be heard. And I ended the column saying: "...but it looks like we're supposed to be a Pak Turut to advance in life. And this is one of the many reasons why organisations — especially in Malaysian sports — fail. " HD says: I prefer to speak my mind than to bitch behind your back. You may call...