Foul!

This article was written by current Sportswriters Association of Malaysia president Ahmad Khawari Isa during his time at Berita Harian. The article below was written by News Straits Times sports editor Vijesh Rai when he was covering football as a journalist. Both articles appeared on July 30, 1999. It says a lot. It also comes to no surprise to why some fans left the Shah Alam Stadium disgruntled after Malaysia lost 1-0 to Qatar in an Asian Cup qualifying match. HD says: When will we be serious? When will we ever start a major revamp?

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...