Foul!

UPDATE (9.12pm): Taiwan 3 Malaysia 2. I'm sure you watched the match...you be the judge. National coach K.Rajagobal is facing uncertainty tonight when his lads take on Taiwan in the return leg of the 1st round Pre-World Cup qualifiers. NST's Devinder Singh has the story here . But Rajagobal isn't the only one with a headache. Back home, PKNS and Sarawak are also uncertain about their future in the M-League next season. Both teams, despite having finished first and second in the Premier League respectively, are still unsure if they will make the cut to the Super League. Read K.Rajan's report in today's The Star . He wrote: But this is Malaysia, or rather the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM), that we are talking about. The joke in the football circle - finish above Pahang and you'll be fine. Catch the Taiwan-Malaysia match live on TV1 and Astro Arena (801) at 6.30pm today. HD says: Is hooked on Sape rock ! Any idea where can I get a sape in KL...anyone?

(UPDATE July 3, 12.57pm) : So James will have a heart to heart meeting with BAM after all. Ah James Selvaraj ( pic ). He is affectionately known as Mr Bata , for the many years he has spent with the shoe company. The former international is currently serving as the BA of Malaysia's (BAM) high performance director on a part time basis. James is now in a limbo. According to The Star, his days are numbered . NST reports BAM wants James fulltime . What is widely known, James has "not been able to do his job" due to foriegn elements. Perhaps BAM officials will need to sit down with James over a cup of tea and scones in the streets of Birmingham to find out his predicament playing high performance director thus far. Here's hoping for a happy ending nevertheless. HD says: James, you had some serious killer sideburns yo. And I must admit, fashion was at its best during your era.

Apparently, the Malaysian Paralympic Council (MPC) are unhappy with the RM4 million poser published in The Malay Mail on Wednesday . That's a no-brainer. It was learnt MPC held a meeting at the Malaysian Association of Blind (MAB) office in Brickfields yesterday. Shockingly, there are claims that the minutes of several meetings held in 2008 will be "rectified" to show that the transfer of RM4 million from MPC to an events management company Paralimpik Ventures Sdn Bhd received the blessings of the council members. If true, then ALL the council members (stated in the 'new' minutes) should be hauled up and investigated to why they allowed such an act to transpire. I really hope it's just coffee shop talk nevertheless. I am sure MPC will come up with a written statement soon. Bottom line - RM 4 million was taken out from MPC to a company which sees MPC president acting as the company's director. It doesn't matter who highlighted the matter, it's the s...

From the phone calls I received earlier this morning, I'm guessing certain quarters are unhappy with the BA of Malaysia's (BAM) latest ruling. One of the caller actually said that BAM's new name is "Banning Association of Malaysia". BAM has made it compulsory for professional players to compete in at least one local tournament. Failing to do so will render the player ineligible to compete in international tournaments. The ruling comes into effect starting with the Kedah Open on July 13-16. Also, BAM approved Tan Chun Seang's ( pic ) request to quit the national team on the condition he does not compete in Asian tournaments for two years but allowed him to compete in European leagues. Read more here . Are the rulings actually harsh? Or justified? Hmm. HD says: Is getting tired of featuring badminton courts for Mailsport's On the Courts 'column'.

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.