Foul!

As published in today's Mailsport Reports by Vijhay Vick vijhay@mmail.com.my SINGAPORE - Mahali Jasuli hopes to end Malaysia's jinx when they play Myanmar today.  “We need a positive start. If we drop points it could cause us problem when we face Thailand and Singapore, who are the favourites to reach the semis,” said Mahali, who is aware  Malaysia lost their last two opening matches in the AFF Cup in 2010 and 2012.  “A win over be the perfect booster after poor results in our recent matches. It will ease some pressure as well." Mahali would likely start at rightback as Dollah Salleh's preferred choice Aidil Zafuan Abdul Radzak was left out due to injuries. Mahali also stressed they must not let the poor preparations affect them. Harimau Malaya only have one win - 4-1 over lowly Cambodia - from five preparation matches since August. They lost to Tajikistan (4-1), Indonesia (2-0), Syria (3-0) and Vietnam (3-1). “Our results i...

It is named after the ruler of a state. He is also the longest serving president of the national football association. Yet, no pride was seen during the Sultan Ahmad Cup Shah match at the Shah Alam Stadium last night. The prize giving ceremony turned out to be more of a "have to" instead of a "want to" situation. Players were quickly handed their medals, more of a rushed situation as those in the stadium and viewers out there wondered if the organisers wanted to get the whole ceremony over and done with in a jiffy. The turnout wasn't great but perhaps it is the start of the season and to host a match at the 80,000 capacity stadium would certainly make a small turn look really minute.  And there is nothing charitable about the match as the FA of Malaysia calls it the Sultan Ahmad Shah Cup and not the Charity Shield. It can only be called a charity shield if the proceeds of the match goes to charity. That aside, congratulations to the Armed Forces (A...