Ban On Imports Will Change Malaysian Football Landscape

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 25 (Bernama) -- The controversial decision by the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) banning foreign players from the Malaysian League next season will change the football landscape.

So what can the football fans expect next season. Can the local players fill the vacuum left by the foreign players or imports in the goal scoring department?

Will main contenders Kedah, Perak and Selangor which had been dependent on the imports for goals maintain the same level of standard now that they will not be around.

The contribution of the imports had been enormous and the record speaks for itself. The top four strikers in the Super League were imports.

Golden Boot winner Marlon Alex James of Kedah led the charts with 23 goals followed by Carlos Caceres of Perak (17), Frank Seator of Selangor (15) and Walter Ariel Silva of Johor FC (14).

Malaysia's best player was Mohd Khalid Jamlus of Perak with 13 goals who came in fifth.

It was the same story for the Premier League where the imports showed they were a cut above the locals.

Mouhamodou Moustapha of Kelantan led with 27 goals followed by Otelo Ocampos Espinola of Johor Pasir Gudang (23), Alex Agbo of KL Plus (19).

Home-grown Liew Kit Kong of Kuala Muda NAZA came in third (16 goals).

Kedah's James also dominated the FA Cup and Malaysia Cup competitions scoring 10 and 15 goals respectively.

Imports made their presence felt in Malaysia with the introduction of the Semi-Pro League in 1989.

Except for 2004 when Indra Putra Mahayuddin of Pahang won the Golden Boot with 15 goals, the imports never failed to lead the goalscoring chart.

Julio Cesar Rodrigues of Sabah (18), Zacharia Simukonda of Perlis (18) and Keita Mandjou of Perak (17) were the fans favourties in 2005, 2006 and 2007.

The imports also lighted up the Premier League with Marin Mikac of UPB-MyTeam (13) and Gustavo Fuentes of Melaka (18) leading the way.

FAM local competitions committee chairman Datuk Che Mat Jusoh said the decision to ban imports was for the development of Malaysian football as local players found it hard to shine against the imports.

"Without the imports next season, the fans can really evaluate the standard of Malaysian footballers," he told Bernama.

Che Mat said teams which put up fine displays will draw fans to fill the stadiums and this will augur well for the future of Malaysian football.

He said the imports' presence was of little help to Malaysian football as some lacked quality and caused a drain on the teams' resources.

"Some of those plying their trade in Malaysia are past their best and cannot make it to the major football leagues in Europe," said the FAM vice president.

Other than the ban on imports, the last season also saw FAM bogged with match-fixing allegations by players and the failure of several football associations to pay players' wages and contribute to the Employees Provident Fund (EPF).

Malaysian League 2007/2008 Roll of Honours

Malaysia Cup : Kedah

FA Cup : Kedah

Super League : Kedah

Premier League : Kuala Muda NAZA (Kedah)

Sultan Ahmad Shah Cup: Perlis

FAM Cup : T-Team (Terengganu)

President's Cup : Selangor

Youth Cup : Kelantan

-- BERNAMA


Like a Deja-vu..............It was done before and to what effect ?
Pi Mai Pi Mai Tang Tu ..... ( not moving anywhere..... or ...are they ? )

National junior league to kick off

By ERIC SAMUEL

KUALA LUMPUR: The Ministry of Education (KPM) in collaboration with the FA of Malaysia (FAM) will start the first national football league for schools. The best school teams from the 14 states will compete in two age groups tournament – the Under-14 and Under-17 leagues.

The Under-14 league for the Minister of Education Cup will include the Bandar Penawar Sports School from Johor while the Bukit Jalil Sports School (BJSS) will be involved in the KPM-FAM Under-17 youth league.

Education Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein said at the launch of the leagues that they were serious in their bid to develop the game at the grassroots. “We want to provide the junior players an early start to competitive football,” said Hishammuddin. “This national football league for schools would be a continuous effort by the Ministry to bring about a more comprehensive form of competition for the boys.” He said the competition would provide them an avenue to keep tabs on the promising talents who could play at the Asean and Asian schools tournament.

The annual national junior football league for the Under-14 and 17 age groups will kick off next week and will be played over five months from April to August.

Hishammuddin said the FAM would provide the technical support in organising the league by providing referees and other assistance. The schools chosen would field two teams – one for the Under-14 and another for the Under-17 age groups.

The school teams participating are SMK Syed Hassan, Kangar (Perlis), SMK Tunku Anum Tunku Abdul Rahman, Jitra (Kedah). SMK Mutiara Impian, Seberang Prai (Penang), SMK Clifford, K. Kangsar (Perak), SMK Section 11, Shah Alam (Selangor), SMK Seberang Temerloh (Pahang), SMK Datuk Abdullah, Rembau (N. Sembilan), SMK Dato Dol Said, Alor Gajah (Malacca), SMK Tasek Utara (Johor), SMK Putera, K. Baru (Kelantan), SMK Bukit Nenas, Setiu (Terengganu), SMK Keningau II (Sabah), SMK Tabuan Jaya, Kuching (Sarawak), SMK Raja Abdullah, Kepong (K. Lumpur).

FAM general secretary Datuk Azzuddin Ahmad said it was a good move by the KPM to initiate the national football league for schools and the FAM would also be planning along the same line to organise junior leagues for the lower age groups.

100PLUS, the nation’s number one isotonic drink and strong supporter of sports development programmes, has agreed to a sponsorship deal worth almost RM1mil with the Ministry of Education.

Source : The STAR

Comment : This would be better than sending a couple of player overseas or organising competition/tournament which incurred two figures millions Ringgit Malaysia of "rights fees", thats what some of them thought .........

Star-studded Chelsea’s date in KL is set for July 29

By AFTAR SINGH

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian football fans will get to watch a star-studded Chelsea first team live in action in Kuala Lumpur.

Chelsea, who will be in Asia for pre-season tour, are scheduled to play against Malaysia on July 29 after a match in China on July 23.

ProEvents are the promoters of the Chelsea tour and their CEO, Julian Kam, said yesterday: “I am sure that many football fans not only in Malaysia but also those from neighbouring countries such as Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia, and even those in Australia, will welcome this great opportunity to see The Blues in action.”

Chelsea are one the big four clubs in England who are still in the running for double honours this season – the English Premier League and Champions League titles.
“We wish Chelsea all the best in the final stages of the EPL and Champions League and hope that they will come to Asia as champions of both tournaments,'' said Julian.

The chief executive of Chelsea, Peter Kenyon, said that besides the match in Malaysia, they would also host Malaysian national coach B. Sathiananthan for about 10 days at Stamford Bridge in early August.

“I believe this will benefit both parties and may pave the way for other such programmes in future between Malaysia and Chelsea.

“This also underlines Chelsea's commitment to develop football in Asia,'' he said.

The FA of Malaysia (FAM) deputy president, Khairy Jamaluddin, said that national team will feature in the match against Chelsea.

“It will be a good experience for the national players in preparation for the Merdeka Tournament in September,'' he said.

Source : The STAR

By the way is it worth it to get Ian Rush to conduct a "striking clinic" for three days? My friend were saying, It was just like studying a video footage .......

AFC Cup Flop and KJ

Tuesday, 18 March 2008, shown another proves that not only the Malaysia’s national was far below the standard of today’s football but also the club team. Two Malaysian representative clubs (Kedah and Perak) were humiliated and humbled by big margins (1-5 and 1-6 respectively) by two Singapore’s team (ya….right … Singapore) in the AFC Cup group matches.

It was once said that Malaysian players were more dedicated and spirited to play at club level than the national team but the results were clearly shown that they are facing a real “standard crisis” instead of commitments.

In the other development, Khairy Jamaludin (KJ) was not appointed as minister which means that he will still be with FAM. He also pledged that he will not be accepting any offer to be a minister as long as his farther-in-law (the PM, of course) is still a PM.

Let see, what he can do……………… (Remember: the coming AFF Cup is his Key Performance Indicator (KPI))…..)

FAM Being Kicked !!!!!

FAM wrong Emblem/Logo

ESPN has apologised to Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) for displaying the wrong FAM logo on Feb 13 during a live telephone call to FAM secretary-general Datuk Azzuddin Ahmad.
During the Sportscenter Asia broadcast on Wednesday, ESPN showed a parodied-logo instead of the official FAM logo. It’s reported by Utusan that the staff from Sportscenter Asia had searched for the logo online and had mistaken that as the official logo. FAM website has been under construction for quite some time, and the ESPN staff obviously couldn’t get the logo from an official source. The website would only be back by March 1 according to Azzuddin.

It is a shame that FAM’s website has to be taken down for weeks for reconstruction. This actually exposed a serious issue on how incompetence some web development companies in Malaysia are and how some Malaysian websites are poorly managed.



By the way the words in the altered logo was "Persatuan Kenasepak Malaysia" instead of "Persatuan Bolasesepak Malaysia". "Kenasepak" literally means "being kicked"!!!!!!



Ha...Ha....ha......... Another frustrated malaysian or Malaysian Football now has becoming a laughing stock.........

Bad Strikers ; Good Management ?

One of the obvious problems in Malaysia’s football team is the lack of prolific striker. This fact was admitted by FAM.

“Last year, we found that there were weaknesses in this position and the problem was not confined to only national team but to the country’s football as a whole. We were lack of good finishing strikers and our last year (2007) results were the reflection of this,” says Khairy Jamaluddin (KJ), the FAM Vice-President and national team’s newly appointed manager.

To overcome the problem, FAM will be organizing a football clinic especially for strikers soon. The clinic will be conducted by former Wales and Liverpool striker, Ian Rush, and offer will be made to all state and club team.

“We hope that teams will send at least one striker to the clinic which will be held for three days,” KJ said.

Meanwhile, the FAM secretary, Datuk Azzuddin Ahmad said, FAM will seek assistance from Ajax Amsterdam from Holland to identify ways of improving Malaysia’s football.

“What we need now is technical advices and not management advices. We need to be opened and get assistance from numerous sources instead of just one,” he said.

Before this, FAM was seeking FIFA assistance on the same matter.

Ajax Amsterdam was well-connected with Gifted Group Ltd, the organizer of Club Youth Champion (CYC), which was held in Kuala Lumpur last year, and was reported to be willing to give assistance needed. Among others, these were including coaching courses and chance to train with the club’s team.


Source: Harian Metro, 5 February, 2008.

Questions;
Technical but not management assistance?
Good strikers in three days?

Ya……………Right!!!!!!!!

KJ IS THE NEW MANAGER .......

With immediate effect, Vice President of Football Association of Malaysia (FAM), Khairy Jamaluddin (KJ) was appointed as the national team’s manager replacing Datuk Anifah Aman. He was appointed to replace Anifah who resigned last year. The announcement of his appointment was made in the FAM’s exco meeting on February 4, 2008.

Responding to the appointment, his immediate target is the AFF Cup which was scheduled in Thailand later this year. For him, the tournament can be considered as the early assessment for him and coach, Sathianathan.

30 trainees consist of players from M-League was chosen and currently attending a centralized training under Sathianathan.

NEW MANAGER, NEW PLANS………………NEW HOPE?

FAM to seek help from FIFA

KUALA LUMPUR: Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) will seek help from International Federation of Football Associations (FIFA) with a view to enhancing the status of national football.

FAM secretary-general Datuk Azzuddin Ahmad said the country’s football governing body wished FIFA could assist in conducting a study on how to improve local football and analysing the national team and the achievement of the Malaysian league.

“As there is no definite plan in Malaysia where the football system keeps on changing, the team from FIFA will monitor the present system to see whether it is heading to the right direction,” he said.

Malaysia, 167th in FIFA rankings, would still be able to make some major changes, told reporters after a seminar on the trend of modern football conducted by the FIFA technical director Jean Michel Benezet here.

Meanwhile, Benezet said FAM should organise an academic talent programme, start training players as young as five years’ old, set up coach education programme and review the Malaysian league and football club licensing.

“We don’t talk about semi-pro or amateur level, we are talking about the professional level and all the facilities at the club must be on par with the elite club standard,” he said.

— Bernama

DESPERATE OR PUSHING THE "PANIC BUTTON"?

Scomi Mykids Announces Nation's Top Football Kids

( Date Posted: 18 September 2007 )

Kuala Lumpur, 17 September 2007- Scomi recently wrapped up its search for Malaysia's top football talents aged 12 years and below under the Scomi MyKids programme, which created a lot of hype, renewing interest in football among children.

"The Scomi-MyKids is a unique programme - apart from identifying top football talents, we also created a lot of hype among the primary school children. This is another objective of Scomi-MyKids - to generate renewed interest in football. This resulted in an overwhelming turnout, which was beyond our expectations," said En Shah Hakim Zain, Scomi Group CEO.

Through a series of football trials held at various locations in Malaysia, Scomi-MyKids has identified nine of the best young players for a trip to Manchester, UK from 30th September to 6th October 2007 for a football experience of a lifetime.

In total, over two thousand children turned up for the trials - some as young as six-years. The trials involved a series of tests for speed, skill, strategy and endurance.

Among the exciting highlights for this trip is that these kids will be taken for a tour around Manchester United's Old Trafford stadium as well as watch one of Manchester United's matches live.

"Scomi-MyKids is about grassroot football development and providing the platform to enable young sporting talents to realise their potential in this sport. These young talents are the future of Malaysian football. And Scomi hopes that one day, they will realise the country's potential to excel in football," according to En Shah.

p.s : Future of Malaysian football ....?

Seven U-18 soccer players can skip SPM exams

Putra Jaya: Seven students named in the squad for the under-18 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Cup qualifing tournament in China from Nov. 6 to 18 have been allowed to skip their Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) examinations.

Their SPM grades would therefore be based on assessment using the "agrotat" method and they would still receive SPM certificates without sitting for the examination, Education Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein said in a statement.

"Through the agrotat method, the Malaysia Examination Board will assess their academic achievement based on information obtained from other sources such as their performance in previous public examinations, SPM trial examinations handled by the school and the General Aptitude Test that will be conducted by the board after the tournament," he said.

He said that the agrotat procedure had been used by the board for special cases like the present one before.

Examination bodies in other parts of the world had similar procedures spelt out in their examination rules, he said.

Among them were the New Zealand Qualifications Authority, Scottish Qualifications Authority, Assessment and Qualification Alliance, Oxford, Cambridge and Royal School of Arts and Edexcel International, he said.

"I see our students' participation as something that makes the Ministry and country proud and it is in line with the School High Performance Sports Development Plan approved by the Cabinet Committee on Sports Development on July 31," Hishammuddin said.

"Their participation in the championship is also very significant in the Ministry's efforts to develop football among youths in the country," he said.

He hoped that with the announcement, the players would be able to focus on the tournament without thinking about SPM examinations they were supposed to sit.

"I pray for the team, especially the students involved, to succeed and lift the country's image internationally," he said.


WHY DON'T THEY THOUGHT ABOUT IT FROM THE VERY BEGINNING RATHER THAN INTERUPTING THEIR TRAINING....... NOW THE CAN BE MORE FOCUS......

Malaysia may have to play in AFC U-19 meet after all

By ERIC SAMUEL

PETALING JAYA: Malaysia may have to field a team after all in the qualifying rounds of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Under-19 tournament in China from Nov 6-18.

On Wednesday, FAM secretary general Datuk Azzudin Ahmad said Malaysia would withdraw from the tournament because of the absence of eight key players, who have to sit for the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) examinations, beginning on Nov 12.

But it is learnt that the FAM are left with not much choice but to fulfil their commitment to play in the age-group tournament.

The FAM deputy president, Datuk Redzuan Tan Sri Sheikh Ahmad, who is also the team manager, said he would have a discussion with coach K. Rajagopal at the Wisma FAM in Kelana Jaya today before making a final decision.

“We have not submitted an official letter of withdrawal to the AFC,” he said yesterday.

However, he said they were disappointed with the AFC for changing the dates for the competition, which was initially scheduled for Oct 31-Nov 11.

“Our appeal has been rejected. From what I have heard, they (AFC) changed the dates because they were unable to get match officials. This is not right and professional of them. They have to be sensitive to the affairs of the participating teams as well,” said Redzuan.

The AFC director of communications, Clare Kenny Tipton, said that they learnt of Malaysia's withdrawal from newspaper reports.

“As far as we are concerned, they (FAM) have not withdrawn,” she said.
Tipton added that the AFC had sent a reminder to the FAM that tomorrow was the deadline to submit the registration forms of players.

“Anyway, a team who withdraw from the tournament have to face the consequences. We will refer the matter to the disciplinary committee,” she said.

The national Under-19 team are in training at the Wisma FAM in Kelana Jaya and they are scheduled to go to Singapore for a series of warm-up matches against S-League sides next month.

Rajagopal assembled the team at the beginning of the year and they had played in two international tournaments – an Under-21 championships in Brunei in March and the Asean Football Federation (AFF) Under-19 tournament in Hanoi in August. They were the runners-up in the Asean tournament.

In the AFC qualifying tournament, Malaysia have beeen drawn in Group F with China, South Korea, Macau, Timor Leste and Singapore.

Source : The STAR

p.s : It always been our culture to put ahead studies that sports is it ?

National coach Sathianathan wants to re-introduce back-up squad

Saturday September 15, 2007

By ERIC SAMUEL

PETALING JAYA: The FA of Malaysia (FAM) are planning to revive the “back-up squad” for the national team.

Newly appointed national coach B. Sathianathan said it was time to re-introduce the “B” team, which was first initiated in the 70’s.
“We badly need a platform for the back-up squad players before they get to graduate into the senior team,” said Sathianathan yesterday.

He said the decision to bring back the “B” team was needed to ensure a continuous flow of promising players to be picked for the senior team.

“We will need to have a new set of coaching staff for the back-up squad as well. They will also have their own calendar of events, preparation matches and tournaments to provide them with the right kind of exposure before they gradually gain their place into the senior team,” said Sathianathan yesterday.

At present, the national Under-23 squad preparing for the Korat SEA Games in December has become the core of the new-look national team. This is following their success in winning the Merdeka tournament last month.

Sathianathan said the Malaysian boys are generally late bloomers and they need a proper avenue like the back-up squad to build them up for the future.

“By having the senior and back-up squad we will have a bigger pool of players.
“We can keep tabs on their progress and also to keep the senior team players on their toes,” said Sathianathan, who was also a former national “B” team player in the 70’s. Then, Sathianathan was under the guidance of M. Chandran and Abdul Rahman Ibrahim.

The national Under-23 squad, which will form the core of the new national team have four senior players for the World Cup qualifiers. After that, the Under-23 squad will get cracking for the SEA Games in Korat where they aim to win a gold medal. Malaysia last won the gold in 1989.

Sathianathan said the back-up squad is expected to take shape by this year.
“I will oversee both the senior and back-up squads because I need to synchronise the coaching methods,” said Sathianathan.

He said the other youth teams from the national Under-21 and below age groups would be under the charge of K. Rajagopal and his coaching staff.

“We will all work as a team for a common goal,” said Sathianathan.

The national team will report for centralised training at the Wisma FAM in Kelana Jaya on Monday.

Malaysia will open their pre-World Cup campaign against Bahrain away on Oct 21 before playing the return leg at home on Oct 28.

Source : STARonline

DATUK AZZUDDIN TAKES OVER

17th Sept 2007 – Datuk Azzuddin Ahmad takes over the helm of the general secretary of the FA of Malaysia (FAM) effective today.

The former national striker was already in office this morning to begin his reconnoiter exercise in assessing the existing administrative landscape of the national body.

“For this week and probably after, it is important that I get all the facts of how things are with the national association, so I will have to go into the details of what is within the FAM,” said Datuk Azzuddin.

“It is a little premature to say at this time what I will do and what I will not because before I can do anything, I will have to see Tuanku President His Royal Highness Sultan Ahmad Shah first.

“I believe that we are all here for the same reason and that is for the betterment of football in the country. And it is for that reason alone, we should keep all other sentiments aside and work towards that goal.”

Datuk Azzuddin has been appointed to the post of general secretary of the FAM following the recent elections of the new office-bearers of the national body for the term 2007-2010.

The post was left vacant following the decision of Dato’ Seri Dr. Ibrahim Saad not to renew his contract.

Datuk Azzuddin is no stranger to Malaysian football where apart from being a former player, he was also a former secretary of the Armed Forces FA and had also served as the President.

He was also at one time the chairman for the FAM Disciplinary Board and also the chairman for the FAM Referee Committee.

Prior to his departure from the national body, Datuk Azzuddin also served as the team manager for the national Under-20 side which played in the Asian Football Championship (AFC) U20 Youth Championship when Malaysia played host in 2004.

p.s ; found out this morning that the organisation chart of FAM has not been updated in their website........

KJ have baby boy on first day of Ramadan

Deputy President of Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) and Umno Youth deputy chief Khairy Jamaluddin and his wife Nori Abdullah became proud parents of a baby boy on the first day of Ramadan.

Nori, only daughter of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, gave birth to the 3.3kg baby at the Pantai Medical Centre at 1.25pm.

“Alhamdulillah (praise be to Allah) for blessing us with a healthy baby in this holy month of Ramadan. Both mother and child are healthy and doing well,” Khairy said.

On the name of the baby, Khairy said: “We have a shortlist. It will be decided very soon.”

Commenting on who the baby looked like, Khairy quipped, “Thank God, my son looks like his mama and not like me.”

NEW MEMBER IN THE FAMILY, NEW INSPIRATION...........

Khairy Jamaluddin - wants state FAs to work closer with FAM

HE is the youngest deputy president ever to be appointed to the FA of Malaysia, but Khairy Jamaluddin has assured football fans that changes will happen given time but he wants state FAs to work closer with the national body.

Khairy, 31, the president of MyTeam, received 100 per cent support from the 45 delegates to lead FAM into a new era together with the experienced Datuk Redzuan Sheikh Ahmad, who is also a deputy president.

"I am honoured that the states have nominated me, but it is a call to work and improve the football," said Khairy yesterday.

"While people think it is suicidal to be involved in football, it is about time we stepped forward to do what we can and contribute."

Khairy is certain that changes will take place but he is adamant that state football associations and FAM work closer to bridge any existing gaps.

"We want to be more responsive to the needs of the states and understand what they are going through. We also want to get an opinion from them as far as fixtures are concerned so that national team priority is also taken seriously," he added

"Many states are disappointed with the way the competition went this year and we don’t want this to happen again. Also, and there are housekeeping matters that need to be resolved."

Khairy resigned as an independent member of FAM in July when Tengku Abdullah Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah resigned, when he was asked why he resigned, he said: "Tengku Abdullah is the one who brought me into football and appointed me to FAM, so it is only right that I follow suit when he resigned, I too resigned.

"Since then many people have been talking but no one wants to come forward and do what is right.

"I have taken up the challenge, and if I don’t perform then I will leave. It is all about working together and getting it right."

Source NSTonline

Young blood, new ideas, but he's also a politician........

Can he deliver ?

What if he got nominated for the upcoming election....Will he let go the post ?

New faces swept the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) Congress

EXCEPT for the president’s and one deputy president’s posts, new faces swept the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) Congress which was held at Menara Kuala Lumpur yesterday.

Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah, who has led the Association since 1984, was retained unopposed and will continue to lead the FAM till 2010.

While incumbent deputy president Datuk Redzuan Sheikh Ahmad also won unopposed, MyTeam president Khairy Jamaluddin is the new second deputy president. He takes over the post left vacant by Tengku Abdullah Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah.

Meanwhile, Datuk Raja Ahmad Zainuddin Raja Haji Omar lost in the vice-president’s race when he managed just 24 votes.

The four new vice-presidents are Datuk Che Mat Jusoh from Terengganu (45 votes), Kelentan’s Affendi Hamzah (30), Datuk Gulzar Mohd Nor from Sarawak (26), and Ahmad Mohammad from Johor (28). Raja Ahmad has been a vice-president since 1998.

Ahmad Shah has informed the candidates and members that he wants everyone to work more responsibly to improve the standard of football in the country.

While expressing regret at the state Malaysian football is in presently, Sultan Ahmad Shah strongly believes it can and will rise again.

"I am saddened with our 156th ranking in the world and our poor performance at the Asian Cup, which means there is a lot that needs to be done," said Sultan Ahmad Shah.

"All must work together to ensure that Malaysian football will rise again and I will see to it."

Sultan Ahmad Shah thanked previous deputy president Tengku Abdullah Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah, who resigned after the Asian Cup debacle, for his services while with FAM.

"Tengku Abdullah is great leader. He has spent his time and money towards helping Malaysian football and he is the architect of the modern game in this country. I would like to thank him for his contribution," added Sultan Ahmad Shah, who also took the opportunity to thank out-going vice-president Datuk Anifah Aman for his contribution.

"I hope he will continue to contribute to football development."

Datuk Anifah did not seek re-election as he was adhering to the cabinet committee’s call that ministers and deputy ministers should not hold any position in sports associations.

The FAM president stressed that he is back in the country and will give his undivided attention to football.

"I want to make sure everything goes according to plan."

Right after yesterday’s 44th Congress the newly elected members attended a short Exco meeting that was called by the president.

It was decided in the meeting that Sultan Ahmad Shah will be the chairman of finance and also chairman of the national team, while Khairy will be the deputy chairman of national team and chairman of MSL Sdn Bhd. Datuk Che Mat Jusoh will be the new competitions committee chairman replacing Datuk Raja Ahmad.

A general secretary has yet to be appointed and Sultan Ahmad Shah said: "Give me some time, I will make the decision soon."

In the meantime Datuk Redzuan will still be the acting general secretary.

Source : NST online

New faces, same president, BETTER FATE ??

Deputy Premier of Malaysia Visits Asia Football Confederation ( AFC )

KUALA LUMPUR: AFC President Mohamed bin Hammam welcomed YAB Dato’ Seri Najib bin Tun Abdul Razak, Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia, and YB Dato’ Seri Azalina binti Othman Said, Minister of Youth and Sports, to AFC House for their first visit to the headquarters of the Asian Football Confederation.

The visit marked the development of closer relations between Asia’s football government body and the Malaysian Government.

Following a warm welcome, AFC officials took the opportunity to present AFC’s development programmes including ‘Vision Asia’, the Grassroots & Youth Programme, and the AFC Professional Leagues project.

The Vision Asia presentation gave an overview of the project focusing on football association governance, marketing, competitions, clubs and overall stakeholder management. The Grassroots & Youth briefing focused on the necessary areas of development, and the systematic programme which AFC is implementing as part of Vision Asia.

The final presentation on the professionalisation of leagues and clubs in Asia outlined the criteria for countries to follow when re-launching their national leagues, including governance, facilities, community relationships, professionalism, marketing and media.

The Deputy Prime Minister and the AFC President agreed on the powerful role of football, as not only a sports concept, but also a tool to improve society and benefit communities.

Commenting following the meeting, the Deputy Prime Minister said, “I was very impressed with the programme. I have always emphasised on development. In Malaysia, we have the people, the enthusiasm and the resources, but we do not have the guidance, facilities, professional coaching and career path.”

Bin Hammam invited Malaysia to join the Vision Asia programme, as ‘Vision Malaysia’. YAB Dato’ Seri Najib confirmed that this proposal will be taken to the next cabinet meeting on sports for further discussion. “We will look for a way to join hands with AFC,” he stated.

WE WILL SEE WHAT PROGRAMMES WILL TAKE PLACE AND HOW IT WILL EFFECT MALAYSIAN FOOTBALL AS A WHOLE .....................................

Spirited Malaysia are the champions

By ERIC SAMUEL

SHAH ALAM: Malaysia are champions of the Merdeka Tournament again after a lapse of 14 years.

In an exciting final of the 39th edition of the tournament played in front of 40,000 fans at the Shah Alam Stadium last night, Malaysia defeated defending champions Myanmar 3-1. It was the 11th time that Malaysia won the title in the series.

Myanmar had no answer to a spirited Malaysia and conceded goals to Mohd Zaquan Adha and Safee Sali in the 12th and 60th minute respectively. And Aung Myo Thant put the ball into his own net in the 56th.

Substitute Tun Tun Win pulled a goal back for Myanmar in the 73rd minute. The match also saw Myanmar reduced to 10 men with the sacking of Kyaw Khing Win in the 87th minute.

The victory for the national Under-23 boys preparing for the Korat SEA Games in December was sweet revenge for the 1-2 defeat by Myanmar in the group stage.

Malaysia started without influential skipper Mohd Shukor Adan, who was down with a groin injury, leaving only one senior player in the side – centreback Norhafiz Zamani Misbah.
In contrast, Myanmar were at full strength with all three seniors in their ranks – skipper Soe Myat Min, striker Yan Paing and goalkeeper Aung Aung Oo.

Malaysia got off to a lively start and took the lead just 12 minutes into the match. Mohd Zaquan initiated the move, relaying the ball to Safee Sali. Zaquan then received the return ball inside the box to beat Aung Oo.

Malaysia went 2-0 up when defender Myo Thant turned a cross from Safee into his own goal in the 56th minute. The match was as good as in Malaysia's hands after Safee coolly turned past his marker to slot the ball into goal four minutes later.

Tun Win went on target in the 73rd minute and Myanmar caused some anxious moments for Malaysia until the final whistle.

Myanmar: Aung Aung Oo, Min Thu, Kyaw Khing Win, Moe Win, Khin Maung Lwin, Aung Myo Thant, Zaw Htet Aung (Tun Tun Win), Yan Paing, Soe Myat Min, Myo Min Tun, Zaw Lynn Tun.
Malaysia: Syed Adney Syed Hussin, Azi Shahril Azmi, Norhafiz Zamani Misbah, Mohd Aidil Zafuan, Mohd Zaquan Adha, Norfarhan Mohd (Amirulhadi Zainal), Mohd Khyril Muhymeen, Mohd Daudso Jamaluddin, Safee Sali, Sumardi Hajalan, Norsharul Idlan Talaha (Mohd Syamsol Sabtu).

Source : The STAR online

Cheers for Merdeka Day ... Just Wondering how the players have to be defensive at the last 20 minutes of the games......Next .....SEA GAMES , KORAT

Merdeka Cup: Malaysia To Meet Myanmar In Final

The final of the Merdeka Cup will take place between hosts Malaysia and defending champions Myanmar.

Malaysia defeated rivals Singapore 3-1 and will face Myanmar in the final for the second year in a row.

In the semi-final, Mohd Khyril Muhymeen opened the scoring for Malaysia after 12 minutes, while Mohd Safee bagged a brace with a goal in each half.

In the other last four clash, Myanmar defeated Zimbabwe 3-1.

Yan Paing scored after 32 and 58 minutes. Zimbabwe pulled a goal back in the 52 minutes but Yazar Win Thein sealed the win with two minutes remaining.

Final will be played tonight (29/08/2007). What will be Malaysian chances ?

AN EARLY MERDEKA (INDEPENDENCE) DAY GIFT ?????

Merdeka Cup: Myanmar In The Semis

Myanmar became the first team to book a place in the semi-finals of the Merdeka Cup after defeating competition hosts Malaysia 2-1.


The defending champions also defeated Lesotho 1-0 earlier in the week and now have six points from the opening two Group A games.

Aung Myo Thant gave Myanmar the lead three minutes before the break and five minutes after, Yan Paing made it two. Adha Abdul Razak reduced the arrears with 20 minutes remaining but Myanmar took the three points.

In the day’s other game Lesotho defeated Laos 3-1 to move level on points with Malaysia with one game remaining –the two meet on matchday three.

Laos were three goals down before the half hour and ended the game with nine men as Somsanouk Lovanxay and Kovanh Namthavixay were sent off.

WILL THIS MALAYSIAN TEAM WILL HAVE THE SAME FATE AS EARLIER MALAYSIA NATIONAL TEAMS IN EARLIER TOURNAMENTS ?