Harimau Malaya : The Future

This time around, we have not been able to defend our AFF Suzuki Cup title which we have won in 2010. That honour now belongs to Si***p**e. The question on most, if not all Harimau Malaya fans' lips is, "What now?"

True, in recent years we have seen some improvement in the way the team plays, but obviously this has not been enough. We have failed to progress in the World Cup qualifying rounds and, as stated above, failed to defend our title. To be truly successful, we must look beyond the Southeast Asia region. We must be challenging at a higher level

But are the players up for it?

In the series of friendlies just before the Suzuki Cup, I've noticed the team lacked cohesion in the overall gameplay, and this problem persisted into the tournament. The most obvious examples are the games against our southern neighbours and Thailand. We offered next to nothing in attack. The midfield wasn't exactly doing its job properly, thus resulted in the lack of killer balls in the attacking third and also exposing the back four to the opposition's threats. For me, Safiq has failed as a captain and a playmaker. While he was influential in the 2010 win, he was invisible during the tournament. His only noticeable contribution was that freekick against Laos (which was brilliant, by the way). However, you cannot expect to keep living on one good moment throughout the whole campaign

One of the bright sparks in the team was Wan Zack Haikal. Recently awarded S-League's Young Player of the Year award, he showed us that it is not all doom and gloom for our national team. In fact, I believe that he is in for a bright future if he is managed properly. Together with Mahalli Jasuli, our right flank can be deadly in attack, sort of like the Neville-Beckham combination at Manchester United

However, I believe if they keep plying their trade in Malaysia, they may not be able to fulfill their true potential

Let's be honest, do you really believe Malaysia-based players can go far? Certainly it would be better for our football if our players started playing in foreign countries. I am not talking about countries in Southeast Asia, as they are of similar level to us, but countries such as Japan, South Korea and Portugal. Sure I may sound like I'm talking out of my arse, but really these countries are superior to us not just in footballing performance, but training, facilities and youth development as well. Look at Nazmi Faiz. While he was playing in Malaysia, he can barely play a full match. Now reports are emerging from Portugal that he is now able to complete a full match thanks to advances in medical science and sports science facilities over there. Which teams in Malaysia have those kinds of facilities? Not many I suppose. Training sessions in those countries are also more intense, in the sense that the sessions are engineered around improving stamina and technique. Take a look at Manchester United. Why have they been able to snatch a win in injury time, time and time again (and no, it's not because of Fergie time). It's because even after playing for 90 minutes, they still have that bit energy to carry them over the finish line. I doubt many of our players can do that, save for a few such as Kunanlan, who just can't stop running

Now this is where I believe agents should come in (even though some are parasites, even more so on the Football Manager games). The players should have agents representing them so that they can be recommended to teams around the world. While securing a dream move to the EPL or La Liga may just be wishful thinking, there might be other clubs in top footballing countries who might be interested in the players. That's how Nazmi secured his move to Beira-Mar. As much as I don't like to admit it, agents can make or break a footballer's career. It is absolutely vital to have good connections so that multiple clubs might have an interest in the players

Earlier today, the Malaysian U-15 team beat their Slavia Praha counterparts 5-0 in the Frenz U15 International Cup. For those who don't know, Slavia's senior team currently play in the top flight of Czech football. Our youngsters are showing great potential. While they may not have been world class, they are rough diamonds who must be shined to carry our nation's name in the future. Which is why I believe they must play overseas instead of in Malaysia. If we compare our senior team's performance in 2010 and 2012, we can see there's been little to no progress. As I've told my friends, it's not that our players have gone backwards, it's just that they have not really progressed. Our playing style has been the same, there's been no improvements or adaptations to combat the oppositions' playing style. We can't keep hoofing the ball forward for the striker to chase, that's kampung-level football. The players need to work on their technique so we can play short passes and keep possession for a longer period of time. If the youngsters play in Malaysia, they will never improve since our training facilities and tactical mindset are not that great. They should emulate Nazmi and train hard to earn a move to a foreign club and hopefully improve leaps and bounds

Another reason why the youngsters fail at a higher level is purely academic pressure. Some parents believe that professional football will not benefit them in the long run. Others are simply the non-sporty types and do not want their kids to have anything to do with football. While studying is indeed important, this mindset must be changed. Their kids may be the quality players that Malaysia needs to step up to the next level and may even secure lucrative contracts. Let these kids play and develop their talents, for there may be a superstar in the making, but their futures are scuppered because of their parents

The future of our national team is bright, but only if it's managed properly. With the clowns at FAM running the show, and the usage of obsolete tactics at international level, I am highly skeptical of this. But I do hope to see our players playing in top leagues in Europe and Asia powerhouse countries


UPDATE : Nazmi, you suck

So9 Exclusive : Mesyuarat Vetting Committee FAM

pictured above : the actual meeting

Dikhabarkan bahawa syarat pengambilan pemain import telah diubah selepas tarikh pendaftaran pemain Liga-M telah tamat. Syarat yang mengatakan bahawa hanya pemain dari negara yang mempunyai ranking lebih tinggi dari Malaysia pada 24 Ogos 2011 telah diubah kepada 24 November 2011 tanpa pengetahuan orang ramai dan ahli gabungan FAM. Kami di State of Nine membayangkan inilah yang berlaku pada mesyuarat yang mengubah syarat itu

Hamidin : Baik, mesyuarat mula bersidang sekarang. Semua tahu kan kenapa kita ada di sini?

Vetting Committee : ...

Hamidin : Baguslah kalau semua dah tahu. Kita kena ubah syarat yang berkaitan ranking negara pemain import tu, sebab aku baru perasan Lebanon ranking dia bawah Malaysia masa 24 Ogos tu

Vetting Committee : ...

Hamidin : Bukannya apa, kalau guna ranking 24 Ogos tu nanti pemain import Selangor tu tak boleh main dalam Liga-M nenti sebab tak layak. Tu sebab selama ni aku guna alasan 'klausa 19 & 20' tu. Kita ubah syarat, guna ranking terkini sebab Lebanon dah ada atas Malaysia. Adil kan untuk Selangor begini?

Vetting Committee : ...

Hamidin : Cantik la kalau semua dah setuju. Oh ya, jangan beritahu persatuan-persatuan lain yang pemain import diorang tak layak sampai tarikh tutup dah berlalu, faham? Biar Selangor je dapat  pemain yang terbaik. Pasukan lain tu semua tak penting untuk Liga-M. Tahun ni juga aku nak pastikan 'Misi 33' kami berjaya. Siapa yang halang akan kena hantar bekerja kat lombong arang batu kat Korea Utara

Vetting Committee : ...

Hamidin : Excellent. Dah, mari kita semua makan mi goreng dengan karipap, minum teh tarik. Ni semua aku guna duit tiket final Piala Malaysia hari tu. Jangan membazir tau. Susah nak perah duit banyak-banyak dari penyokong ni

Xavi : Cesc is suffering! *baling kerusi kat Hamidin   

what????

ok la, korang semua tahu aku minat bola kan? aku minat negeri sembilan dengan man united kan? dan sesiapa yang follow liga malaysia tahu FAM macam bengap sikit kan? meh dengar aku punye 'rant'.

mengikut jadual asal Liga Super (super lagi ke? asyik tukar format je), sepatutnye negeri sembilan lawan terengganu kat paroi sabtu lepas untuk game terakhir diorang (dengan lagi 12 team lain). so, imagine my surprise when si tua2 kutuk kat FAM tunda 6 game kat sabtu ni...

sori gambar blur

i was like, WHAT THE HECK? camne selangor boleh lak lawan pahang sabtu lepas? apa specialnya dua-dua team ni? ada konspirasi ke nak selamatkan pahang? atau selangor ni saviour bola sepak malaysia? tahu la amri yahya skor 2 lawan man united, tapi takyah la berlagak. zaquan pun bleh buat gak! dah la minggu ni aku kene gi kelantan cousin aku kahwin. kalau kelantan main home xpe gak, at least dapat tengok bola. tapi diorang @Johor FC, jadi KB lengang la.

so, soalan aku kepada FAM (kalau diorang baca), apa kejadahnye selangor n pahang boleh main sabtu lepas, tapi team lain xleh? apa kejadahnya korang tunda lagi 6 game tu? dah la aku sebulan x tengok negeri sembilan main! semangat hobin aku x pernah terpadam, korang cube lak nak padamkan semangat ni (dan penyokong2 lagi 11 team). resign je la, pakcik!

x dapat la aku tengok diorang main

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spoof time!

ok, korang semua mesti kenal kan lagu 'Beat It' oleh Michael Jackson kan? well, ahad tu aku browse youtube, search 'beat it' n aku jumpa lagu ni : Weird Al Yankovich - Eat It.

macam mane lagu die? hayati lah...

lirik:

How come you're always such a fussy young man?
Don't want no Captain Crunch, don't want no Raisin Bran
Well, don't you know that other kids are starving in Japan
So eat it, just eat it

Don't wanna argue, I don't wanna debate
Don't want to hear about what kind of food you hate
You won't get no dessert 'till you clean off your plate
So eat it

Don't you tell me you're full
Just eat it, eat it, eat it, eat it
Get yourself an egg and beat it
Have some more chicken, have some more pie
It doesn't matter if it's boiled or fried
Just eat it, eat it, just eat it, eat it
Just eat it, eat it, just eat it, eat it, ooh

Your table manners are some cryin' shame
You're playin' with your food, this ain't some kind of game
Now, if you starve to death, you'll just have yourself to blame
So eat it, just eat it

You better listen, better do what you're told
You haven't even touched your tuna casserole
You better chow down or it's gonna get cold
So eat it

I don't care if you're full
Just eat it, eat it, eat it, eat it
Open up your mouth and feed it
Have some more yogurt, have some more spam
It doesn't matter if it's fresh or canned
Just eat it, eat it, eat it, eat it
Don't you make me repeat it
Have a banana, have a whole bunch
It doesn't matter what you had for lunch
Just eat it, eat it, eat it, eat it
Eat it, eat it, eat it, eat it

Eat it, eat it, eat it, eat it
If it's gettin' cold, reheat it
Have a big dinner, have a light snack
If you don't like it you can't send it back
Just eat it, eat it, eat it, eat it
Get yourself an egg and beat it (oh lord)
Have some more chicken, have some more pie
It doesn't matter if it's broiled or fried
Just eat it, eat it, eat it, eat it
Don't you make me repeat it (oh no)
Have a banana, have a whole bunch
It doesn't matter what you had for lunch
Just eat it, eat it, eat it, eat it

hehe, best x? :-)