Jakarta Casual
Friday, November 30, 2007
Should Borussia Dortmund come to Jakarta?
Just who will play for Indonesia?
The Loga season reaches a climax on 30th December and on the 16th there is a full round of fixtures penciled in. On the 18th, the day before Dortmund play in Jakarta there is a potentially vital game between Persita and Persib. A game that will have an impact on the Top 4 ambitions of both clubs.
I’m not really a big fan of club sides traveling the world playing friendlies against national sides in so called prestige friendlies. Far better they play local club sides like Persija or Persib. As Manchester United found out to their cost when a lucrative friendly was cancelled against Malaysia because it clashed with the Asian Cup, primacy should be given to the domestic game. Let’s face it. If Brazil offered to play Germany in May right in the middle of the climax to the Bundesliga season would the Germans be agreeable?
Indonesia has been starved of European sides for so long it’s great that at last someone out there remembers the country and it’s footballing heritage . But the timing sucks big time. Now I appreciate BVB will be in their winter pause but that’s not the point. This is decision time locally and should Indonesian football roll over and beg just because the Germans decide they want to come here at a time that best suits them?
This game smacks of self interest and it ain’t for the Indonesians. The national team players are needed by their clubs as they battle for the top 4 play offs and of course the Liga Super next year while the Under 23’s will be just knackered having just returned from the SEA Games.
Having big European clubs visit places like Indonesia brings little enough benefit to the local game, beyond a bumper day at the turnstiles. Better they come at a less hectic time of the season when people can be more focused and more prepared.
The Loga season reaches a climax on 30th December and on the 16th there is a full round of fixtures penciled in. On the 18th, the day before Dortmund play in Jakarta there is a potentially vital game between Persita and Persib. A game that will have an impact on the Top 4 ambitions of both clubs.
I’m not really a big fan of club sides traveling the world playing friendlies against national sides in so called prestige friendlies. Far better they play local club sides like Persija or Persib. As Manchester United found out to their cost when a lucrative friendly was cancelled against Malaysia because it clashed with the Asian Cup, primacy should be given to the domestic game. Let’s face it. If Brazil offered to play Germany in May right in the middle of the climax to the Bundesliga season would the Germans be agreeable?
Indonesia has been starved of European sides for so long it’s great that at last someone out there remembers the country and it’s footballing heritage . But the timing sucks big time. Now I appreciate BVB will be in their winter pause but that’s not the point. This is decision time locally and should Indonesian football roll over and beg just because the Germans decide they want to come here at a time that best suits them?
This game smacks of self interest and it ain’t for the Indonesians. The national team players are needed by their clubs as they battle for the top 4 play offs and of course the Liga Super next year while the Under 23’s will be just knackered having just returned from the SEA Games.
Having big European clubs visit places like Indonesia brings little enough benefit to the local game, beyond a bumper day at the turnstiles. Better they come at a less hectic time of the season when people can be more focused and more prepared.
Yesterday's Liga Indonesia
Persikota v Persiraja 2-0 1,000 (Mustofa Ali, Essa Mvonda)
Persikabo v PSDS 4-0 6,000 (Batoum, Mardiansyah, Rodrigo Santoni 2)
PSSB v Persija 1-3 8,000 ( Collante: Ismed Sofyan, Aliyudin, Ilham)
Perseman v PSIM 4-2 9,000 ( Mendoze, Joseph, Dodi, Reginaldo: Sandoval, Wawan)
PSM v Sidoarjo 2-1 25,000 (Baretto, Badarou: Pronetto)
Western Division
1. Srwijaya 27 15 6 6 42-22 51
2. Persija 29 15 6 8 42-32 51
3. Persik 28 15 4 9 51-40 49
4. PSMS 27 14 5 8 35-19 47
5. Persib 29 13 8 8 37-25 47
6. Persela 30 13 8 9 32-28 47
Eastern Division
1. Persipura 30 16 7 7 46-22 55
2. Persiwa 30 16 4 10 46-28 52
3. Persiter 30 16 6 9 30-24 51
4. Persimin 30 14 8 8 39-28 50
5. Sidoarjo 30 14 7 9 39-28 49
6. Arema 28 13 9 6 37-24 48
Persija came from behind to earn a vital three points up in deepest Bireuen which puts them joint top in the Western Division. In Cibinong Rodrigo Santoni made it four goals in the last two games as Persikabo thumped PSDS. In the match of the day Sidoarjo failed to move into third spot after losing in Makassar in front of a bumber crowd.
This weekend:
Persib v Persitara
PSS v Sriwijaya
Persikota v PSDS
Persikabo v Persiraja
PSMS v Persija
PSSB V Semen Padang
PSM v PSIM
Perseman v Sidoarjo
Persikabo v PSDS 4-0 6,000 (Batoum, Mardiansyah, Rodrigo Santoni 2)
PSSB v Persija 1-3 8,000 ( Collante: Ismed Sofyan, Aliyudin, Ilham)
Perseman v PSIM 4-2 9,000 ( Mendoze, Joseph, Dodi, Reginaldo: Sandoval, Wawan)
PSM v Sidoarjo 2-1 25,000 (Baretto, Badarou: Pronetto)
Western Division
1. Srwijaya 27 15 6 6 42-22 51
2. Persija 29 15 6 8 42-32 51
3. Persik 28 15 4 9 51-40 49
4. PSMS 27 14 5 8 35-19 47
5. Persib 29 13 8 8 37-25 47
6. Persela 30 13 8 9 32-28 47
Eastern Division
1. Persipura 30 16 7 7 46-22 55
2. Persiwa 30 16 4 10 46-28 52
3. Persiter 30 16 6 9 30-24 51
4. Persimin 30 14 8 8 39-28 50
5. Sidoarjo 30 14 7 9 39-28 49
6. Arema 28 13 9 6 37-24 48
Persija came from behind to earn a vital three points up in deepest Bireuen which puts them joint top in the Western Division. In Cibinong Rodrigo Santoni made it four goals in the last two games as Persikabo thumped PSDS. In the match of the day Sidoarjo failed to move into third spot after losing in Makassar in front of a bumber crowd.
This weekend:
Persib v Persitara
PSS v Sriwijaya
Persikota v PSDS
Persikabo v Persiraja
PSMS v Persija
PSSB V Semen Padang
PSM v PSIM
Perseman v Sidoarjo
Borussia Dortmund come to Jakarta
Thanks to Adrian for this.
On 19th December Borussia Dortmund, one of Germany's traditionally big clubs, will play Indonesia in Jakarta.
The match is part of the DFB's foreign initiative which I guess means that it will be organised by the Germans and the local FA said ok.
Full details can be found here.
Bad news is I'm off to Lombok that day and will miss the game...
On 19th December Borussia Dortmund, one of Germany's traditionally big clubs, will play Indonesia in Jakarta.
The match is part of the DFB's foreign initiative which I guess means that it will be organised by the Germans and the local FA said ok.
Full details can be found here.
Bad news is I'm off to Lombok that day and will miss the game...
Thursday, November 29, 2007
Persikota v Persiraja 2-0
Persikota dominated against struggling Persiraja but only had the two goals to show for an afternoon when they had plenty of chances but little cutting edge. Mostapa and Essa, the second in injury time, earned the three points but the Tangerang club, playing in front of a thin crowd of dozens, remain rooted in 15th spot. Their opponents from Banda Aceh stay 17th.
Fandi Ahmad - An ASEAN legend
45 year old Fandi is one of the few players from ASEAN who has spread his wings beyond these tropical shores.
He started playing in the Malaysia Cup back in 1978 when he was a mere 16 years old. In 1982 he moved to Indonesia where he played for NIAC Mitra. As an aside he was with the Indonesian side when Arsenal toured here...must ask him if he played in that game. (If I ever get to meet him!)
In 1983 he headed to Europe for a two year spell with Groningen in the Dutch League. In 1985 he was back in Malaysia with Kuala Lumpur and he settled in the capital city for four years. In 1990 he was back in Europe for a season with Greek side OFI Crete.
1991, still only 28, he was back in Malaysia with Pahang FC before returning 'home' to Singapore in 1993 who at the that time were playing in the Malasyian League.
In the SLeague debut season he played for Geylang United before ending his days with Singapore Armed Forces.
Before moving back to Indonesia and coaching Pelita Jaya he spent a couple of seasons coaching Young Lions in the SLeague.
He's had an eventful first season in Purwakarta and is on target for getting the team into the Liga Super next season. At the same time the club are in the Quarter Finals of the Copa Indonesia and victory there could see Fandi pitting his wits next season in the Champions League.
Before that he's taking Pelita Jaya to Pahang next week for a friendly.
He started playing in the Malaysia Cup back in 1978 when he was a mere 16 years old. In 1982 he moved to Indonesia where he played for NIAC Mitra. As an aside he was with the Indonesian side when Arsenal toured here...must ask him if he played in that game. (If I ever get to meet him!)
In 1983 he headed to Europe for a two year spell with Groningen in the Dutch League. In 1985 he was back in Malaysia with Kuala Lumpur and he settled in the capital city for four years. In 1990 he was back in Europe for a season with Greek side OFI Crete.
1991, still only 28, he was back in Malaysia with Pahang FC before returning 'home' to Singapore in 1993 who at the that time were playing in the Malasyian League.
In the SLeague debut season he played for Geylang United before ending his days with Singapore Armed Forces.
Before moving back to Indonesia and coaching Pelita Jaya he spent a couple of seasons coaching Young Lions in the SLeague.
He's had an eventful first season in Purwakarta and is on target for getting the team into the Liga Super next season. At the same time the club are in the Quarter Finals of the Copa Indonesia and victory there could see Fandi pitting his wits next season in the Champions League.
Before that he's taking Pelita Jaya to Pahang next week for a friendly.
PSMS v Semen Padang
PSMS won this all Sumatran clash with two goals in the last 10 minutes at Teladan Stadium, Medan.
Goals from Murphy Kumonpole and Andika Yudhistra were enough at the death to beat hapless Padang who pay the lowest salaries in the league and lie third from the bottom of the table.
PSMS lead a pack of three clubs on 47 points, Persib and Persela.
Goals from Murphy Kumonpole and Andika Yudhistra were enough at the death to beat hapless Padang who pay the lowest salaries in the league and lie third from the bottom of the table.
PSMS lead a pack of three clubs on 47 points, Persib and Persela.
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
Persita, Persipura and the Asian Champions League
This could be interesting. With Persipura challenging for both the Liga and the Copa along with Persita should both teams share Indonesia's major footballing honours both the AFC and the Indonesian FA would have a decision to make.
Persipura play on the island of Papua. So remote it takes some six hours flying time from Jakarta and goes right round the islands. You can be sure teams like Urawa and Shanghai won't be relishing that journey. Neither would teams closer to home like Chonburi or Bangkok University.
Would Persipura be forced to play their home games elsewhere I wonder should they qualify?
Persita would pose quite different problems. They play at the Benteng Stadium, in the flight path of the nearby international airport. Incoming players could clear immigration, collect their baggage and fight their way through the back streets of Tangerang and be at the stadium within a couple of hours of landing. Thing is, the stadium, which they share with Persikota, is shit and is probably not up to AFC standards. Hell, it ain't even up to Liga Super standards.
Decisions, decisions. Knowing the FA they'll probably take the path of least possible resistance and do nothing. It worked in 2006 when no Indonesian teams, then Arema and Persipura, played in the Champions League 'cos no one sent off their registration forms.
Persipura play on the island of Papua. So remote it takes some six hours flying time from Jakarta and goes right round the islands. You can be sure teams like Urawa and Shanghai won't be relishing that journey. Neither would teams closer to home like Chonburi or Bangkok University.
Would Persipura be forced to play their home games elsewhere I wonder should they qualify?
Persita would pose quite different problems. They play at the Benteng Stadium, in the flight path of the nearby international airport. Incoming players could clear immigration, collect their baggage and fight their way through the back streets of Tangerang and be at the stadium within a couple of hours of landing. Thing is, the stadium, which they share with Persikota, is shit and is probably not up to AFC standards. Hell, it ain't even up to Liga Super standards.
Decisions, decisions. Knowing the FA they'll probably take the path of least possible resistance and do nothing. It worked in 2006 when no Indonesian teams, then Arema and Persipura, played in the Champions League 'cos no one sent off their registration forms.
Labels: Asian Champions League Persita Persipura
Persija to play at Bung Karno Stadium?
With their tiny Lebuk Bulus holding 12,500 slated for renovation next season Persija are looking at holding their home games at the cavernous Bung Karno Stadium in Senayen. Quite what the coiffured Ibu's may think about 60,000 orange clad waifs ruining their precious shopping expeditions can only be guessed at.
Still, it is a nonsense that Indonesia's capital city club and one of the most glamourous names plays in front of such poxy crowds. I hope they do renovate LB as it is one of the few real football stadiums in the country and doesn't have a running track round it.
The extra capacity from either BK or LB will be needed as clubs face up to raiding more money for themselves and not relying on handouts.
Still, it is a nonsense that Indonesia's capital city club and one of the most glamourous names plays in front of such poxy crowds. I hope they do renovate LB as it is one of the few real football stadiums in the country and doesn't have a running track round it.
The extra capacity from either BK or LB will be needed as clubs face up to raiding more money for themselves and not relying on handouts.
The English Prostitute League
Michel Platini, the guy in charge of UEFA has been in the news a lot recently. When he’s not trying to introduce quotas on foreign players he’s bemoaning the tie up between big money and the game. EPL? Les English Prostitute League n’est ce pas? The English, prickly to perceived insults from mere foreigners, have gotten the hump and some suit called Scudamore turned round and said : "They don't rise much above the view of people in the corner of the pub,"
I feel nauseous whenever I see or hear the people who are charged with running our game. For Scudamore, sorry, I can’t be arsed to find out his background, to be so condescending about a guy who was one of the best players of his generation just shows the moronic state of mind of the football establishment on our shores. Whenever they come under attack these puerile people retreat into their little Englander shells and face down all comers rather like Private Fraser and the like in Dad’s Army. Who do you think you’re kidding Mr Platini?
Barwick, some TV type who gave us Stevie Mac as the last England manager is also the man to find his replacement which is a hoot. On TV last week, lined up with the other Jurassic types, Barwick and Thommo told cameras, straight faced, they felt the pain of England fans up and down the country. A pain they no doubt assuaged with a few days abroad taking in the 2010 World Cup Qualifying draw with all expenses picked up by the poor saps who fill Wembley. Not my pain fella. I dropped you lot years back and you won’t get another baht out of me. Who takes responsibility up there in cloud cuckoo land where they still think the trains run on time and getting to games is a doddle midweek. When you answer to a bunch of coffin dodgers interested in protecting their own FA Cup Final tickets just who is there who will say: Um, sorry, it was my fault actually. I take full responsibility. Didn’t mean to but hey, I went to the right school and we all play golf together so…
Did you see the fixtures played last night in England? Burnley traveled to Watford. Hartlepool headed down the A1, M82, M6, M5 and M4 to Swansea. Sounds easy like that doesn’t it? Mid winter, mid week just what the hell are these people playing at scheduling games like this? But they don’t go to the games; they don’t talk to the fans in the corner of the pub do they?
Back to Skidamore’s comments. It just shows the contempt he and his coterie of creeps have for the average fan in the street, or the bar. They feel immune from the brickbats and arrows that maybe launched their way because they hide behind the numbers and the numbers tell them attendances are healthy, sponsors are queuing up and all is ship shape spic and span on the good ship Premier League.
I would suggest to Scudamore, Barwick and the rest of the suits that they come down from their rocking horse and spend some time in the pubs on match day. They needn’t worry; they’re so anonymous no one will recognize them. Spend some time listening to what fans say about the state of the game. Don’t ponce about like prima donnas in the sponsors lounge or with the executive box holders but get out on the streets and find out what people there think. On match day in and around the stadiums. Venues like Spotland, Victoria Ground, Layer Road, hear the pre match gossip about you. And about their game you are taking away from them and selling to the highest bidder.
Then go back to Economics 101 and remember what follows a boom.
I feel nauseous whenever I see or hear the people who are charged with running our game. For Scudamore, sorry, I can’t be arsed to find out his background, to be so condescending about a guy who was one of the best players of his generation just shows the moronic state of mind of the football establishment on our shores. Whenever they come under attack these puerile people retreat into their little Englander shells and face down all comers rather like Private Fraser and the like in Dad’s Army. Who do you think you’re kidding Mr Platini?
Barwick, some TV type who gave us Stevie Mac as the last England manager is also the man to find his replacement which is a hoot. On TV last week, lined up with the other Jurassic types, Barwick and Thommo told cameras, straight faced, they felt the pain of England fans up and down the country. A pain they no doubt assuaged with a few days abroad taking in the 2010 World Cup Qualifying draw with all expenses picked up by the poor saps who fill Wembley. Not my pain fella. I dropped you lot years back and you won’t get another baht out of me. Who takes responsibility up there in cloud cuckoo land where they still think the trains run on time and getting to games is a doddle midweek. When you answer to a bunch of coffin dodgers interested in protecting their own FA Cup Final tickets just who is there who will say: Um, sorry, it was my fault actually. I take full responsibility. Didn’t mean to but hey, I went to the right school and we all play golf together so…
Did you see the fixtures played last night in England? Burnley traveled to Watford. Hartlepool headed down the A1, M82, M6, M5 and M4 to Swansea. Sounds easy like that doesn’t it? Mid winter, mid week just what the hell are these people playing at scheduling games like this? But they don’t go to the games; they don’t talk to the fans in the corner of the pub do they?
Back to Skidamore’s comments. It just shows the contempt he and his coterie of creeps have for the average fan in the street, or the bar. They feel immune from the brickbats and arrows that maybe launched their way because they hide behind the numbers and the numbers tell them attendances are healthy, sponsors are queuing up and all is ship shape spic and span on the good ship Premier League.
I would suggest to Scudamore, Barwick and the rest of the suits that they come down from their rocking horse and spend some time in the pubs on match day. They needn’t worry; they’re so anonymous no one will recognize them. Spend some time listening to what fans say about the state of the game. Don’t ponce about like prima donnas in the sponsors lounge or with the executive box holders but get out on the streets and find out what people there think. On match day in and around the stadiums. Venues like Spotland, Victoria Ground, Layer Road, hear the pre match gossip about you. And about their game you are taking away from them and selling to the highest bidder.
Then go back to Economics 101 and remember what follows a boom.
Labels: FA Premier League Scudamore Barwich Football Fans Platini UEFA Rip Off Pub
Persela v Persita 1-1
Two sides looking to squeeze into the top 4 fought out a 1-1 draw in a card sodden affair in Lamongang, East Java. Ernest Siankam gave Persita the lead on 15 minutes but Souza equalised early in the second half.
Eight yellows and two red cards dished out which has upset Persita coach Benny Dollo. Before the game he asked for the ref to be strong and was rewarded with seeing six of his players get booked as well as Firman Utina getting a red.
Persela are level on points with 4th placed Persib while Persita are two pints further behind in 6th spot.
Tonight sees PSMS play Semen Padang.
Eight yellows and two red cards dished out which has upset Persita coach Benny Dollo. Before the game he asked for the ref to be strong and was rewarded with seeing six of his players get booked as well as Firman Utina getting a red.
Persela are level on points with 4th placed Persib while Persita are two pints further behind in 6th spot.
Tonight sees PSMS play Semen Padang.
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Persib v Sriwijaya 0-1
Persib's recent poor run continued as they fell at home to fellow title challngers Sriwijaya at an empty Siliwangi Stadium this afternoon. Poor defending at a corner allowed someone a free header that bounced over the despairing leap of the diminutive defender on the goal line.
The side from Palembang go top of the league while Persib look back on two wins in their last eleven.
The game was not accompanied the usual histrionics that plague games here. I guess with no fans there was no audience to play up to. Pity we don't see it more often.
The side from Palembang go top of the league while Persib look back on two wins in their last eleven.
The game was not accompanied the usual histrionics that plague games here. I guess with no fans there was no audience to play up to. Pity we don't see it more often.
Monday, November 26, 2007
Who'd be a manager?
Billy Davies of Derby has just been given the old heave ho. OK, his team have just won once this season and haven't scored away but I wonder just what the Derby board imagine a new manager will achieve with the same squad? Whoever takes the job, there may well be a bounce where performances pick up then normal service will be resumed. Wonder what Davies compensation pay off was? Derby old boy Steve McLaren is looking for a job?!
I've never really liked Rafa at Liverpool. If you add some of the things he has said together it just looks like he's covering his arse for when things go wrong. He begged for more money after last season's defeat in the Champions League final to Milan. He got it and spent it. Then with Torres and Babbel warming the bench he said that if Liverpool don't win the league this season it's because the refs haven't protected his players. Now he's having a pop at the owners saying they don't understand the transfer window and he needs more money. Why he didn't sign more during the close season he doesn't say. Perhaps Rafa thinks he's gone as far as he can at Liverpool and he's angling for a compo pay off rumoured to be 6 million quid if he gets the push?
Then we have Steve Bruce. His new chairman, Dave Whelan, has come out and said Bruce is one of the best managers in the country which is worrying. Perhaps he really means it? Odd when you consider the nose busted Bruce's less than stellar career at places like Palace, Huddersfield and Sheffield United. Or perhaps he really is a great manager. If he is then we really need to worry about our game.
Over at Spurs One Day Ramos has been a big disappointment. Nary a squeak has been heard from him since he got his feet under the Totts manager's desk which is a great shame. There's nothing we like better than to laugh at some foreigner's cack handed efforts to speak our lingo. We're such cunningliguists in England ain't we?
Then there's Gary 'who are ya' Megson who has come to a place where nobody wanted him and not only drawn at Bayern Munchen but then went on to beat Manchester United with the added bonus of seeing Fergie get red carded. Great fun!
Gareth Southgate also suffers from a hooter spread over his face. He is also a young English manager giving young English players a chance and wouldn't Middlesbrough fans love all that to change with their team lying 17th and empty seats at the Riverside almost outnumbering filled ones. Mind you he deserves abuse for selling Viduka and trying to replace him with Arsenal ball boy Jeremie Aliadiere.
We have walrus Sam at Newcastle where his team slide from disaster to disaster. He has apparently ruled himself out of the running for the England job, so have I but it never made the headlines, which was big of him. Only in England could such a manager, go on list the trophies he has won, have been even considered.
Down in them lower leagues Ian Holloway recently moved to Leicester City. Holloway has been rated highly at clubs like Plymouth and QPR where he had sod all money and you wonder whether any Premier League club would take a punt on him? Doubt it. The guy is full of himself, is a laugh and has things to say. Not someone a club chairman wants giving too many press conferences at the highest level. Shame really, all these monotoned managers intoning the FLMA mantra game in, game out, ( I didn't see it, the ref was crap, the pitch was muddy, the players were tired, they haven't played much recently) are just so much fun aren't they? Come back Jose...
Finally Esther there's the story of the club who has gone and given a young manager a chance and nobody noticed. Following on from David Moyes, Billy Davies and Paul Simpson Preston have appointed Moyes' Number 2 Alan Irvine who I once saw score for Palarse in an FA Cup tie. Given the recent bad press Number twos have received, McLaren, Hutchings, Lee, it will be interesting, perhaps painful, to see how he does. One thing is certain. You won't be reading much about it in the media.
I've never really liked Rafa at Liverpool. If you add some of the things he has said together it just looks like he's covering his arse for when things go wrong. He begged for more money after last season's defeat in the Champions League final to Milan. He got it and spent it. Then with Torres and Babbel warming the bench he said that if Liverpool don't win the league this season it's because the refs haven't protected his players. Now he's having a pop at the owners saying they don't understand the transfer window and he needs more money. Why he didn't sign more during the close season he doesn't say. Perhaps Rafa thinks he's gone as far as he can at Liverpool and he's angling for a compo pay off rumoured to be 6 million quid if he gets the push?
Then we have Steve Bruce. His new chairman, Dave Whelan, has come out and said Bruce is one of the best managers in the country which is worrying. Perhaps he really means it? Odd when you consider the nose busted Bruce's less than stellar career at places like Palace, Huddersfield and Sheffield United. Or perhaps he really is a great manager. If he is then we really need to worry about our game.
Over at Spurs One Day Ramos has been a big disappointment. Nary a squeak has been heard from him since he got his feet under the Totts manager's desk which is a great shame. There's nothing we like better than to laugh at some foreigner's cack handed efforts to speak our lingo. We're such cunningliguists in England ain't we?
Then there's Gary 'who are ya' Megson who has come to a place where nobody wanted him and not only drawn at Bayern Munchen but then went on to beat Manchester United with the added bonus of seeing Fergie get red carded. Great fun!
Gareth Southgate also suffers from a hooter spread over his face. He is also a young English manager giving young English players a chance and wouldn't Middlesbrough fans love all that to change with their team lying 17th and empty seats at the Riverside almost outnumbering filled ones. Mind you he deserves abuse for selling Viduka and trying to replace him with Arsenal ball boy Jeremie Aliadiere.
We have walrus Sam at Newcastle where his team slide from disaster to disaster. He has apparently ruled himself out of the running for the England job, so have I but it never made the headlines, which was big of him. Only in England could such a manager, go on list the trophies he has won, have been even considered.
Down in them lower leagues Ian Holloway recently moved to Leicester City. Holloway has been rated highly at clubs like Plymouth and QPR where he had sod all money and you wonder whether any Premier League club would take a punt on him? Doubt it. The guy is full of himself, is a laugh and has things to say. Not someone a club chairman wants giving too many press conferences at the highest level. Shame really, all these monotoned managers intoning the FLMA mantra game in, game out, ( I didn't see it, the ref was crap, the pitch was muddy, the players were tired, they haven't played much recently) are just so much fun aren't they? Come back Jose...
Finally Esther there's the story of the club who has gone and given a young manager a chance and nobody noticed. Following on from David Moyes, Billy Davies and Paul Simpson Preston have appointed Moyes' Number 2 Alan Irvine who I once saw score for Palarse in an FA Cup tie. Given the recent bad press Number twos have received, McLaren, Hutchings, Lee, it will be interesting, perhaps painful, to see how he does. One thing is certain. You won't be reading much about it in the media.
The Big Match
Yesterday under the boiling sun in Ciputat the Arsenal Soccer School coaches met their W#aterloo in a rag bag bunch of drunks, beer bellies and people who could run a bit.
Despite going a goal down early on the coaches technique soon told and in the second half they were 4-1. But the Supporters' Club are a gritty bunch and clawed their way back into the game. It ended 4-4 though the ref, perhaps he had been officiating another game(?) said the SC had won 5-4!
Whatever, it was a nice day for a beer!
You can find exclusive pictures of the game, sana photoshop, here ...
Despite going a goal down early on the coaches technique soon told and in the second half they were 4-1. But the Supporters' Club are a gritty bunch and clawed their way back into the game. It ended 4-4 though the ref, perhaps he had been officiating another game(?) said the SC had won 5-4!
Whatever, it was a nice day for a beer!
You can find exclusive pictures of the game, sana photoshop, here ...
SAF claim domestic double
Coming from behind, Alex Duric inspired SAF to a dramatic 4-3 win over 10 man Tampines Rovers in the Singapore Cup Final yesterday at Jalan Besar.
Persipura win Eastern battle
PSIS v Pelita Jaya 2-1 10,000 (10 yellow cards!)
Arema v Persipura 0-1 25,000
Persmin v Persibom 2-1 10,000
Persiter v Persma 1-0 3,000
Copa Indonesia
PSM v Persija 1-0 (Persija go through 2-1 on aggregate)
Western Division
1. Persik 28 15 4 9 51-40 49
2. Sriwijaya 26 14 6 6 41-22 48
3. Persija 28 14 6 8 39-31 48
4. Persib 28 13 8 7 37-24 47
Eastern Division
1. Persipura 30 16 7 7 46-22 55
2. Persiwa 30 16 4 10 46-28 52
3. Persiter 30 16 6 9 30-24 51
4. Persmin 30 14 8 8 39-28 50
This week:
Tuesday sees Persib host Sriwijaya in front of an empty Siliwangi Stadium. Perhaps one of them might even deign to win? Certainly Persib are without a win in their last six while I can't even remember when Sriwijaya played last! Persela play Persita with both sides eyeing a place in the top 4.
Just one game Wednesday sees PSMS play Semen Padang. The Medan side have slid down to 6th spot recently but they must fancy their chances against the whipping boys from Minangkabau.
Busy day Thursday with Persikota hosting Persiraja in a game that has had fans queuing al week for tickets. Or maybe not. PSDS go to Persikabo and Persija travel to PSSB. The match of the day is PSM, now struggling in 9th spot, at home to Sidoarjo who are 5th. The final match sees Perseman play PSIM in a battle of the celler dwellers
Arema v Persipura 0-1 25,000
Persmin v Persibom 2-1 10,000
Persiter v Persma 1-0 3,000
Copa Indonesia
PSM v Persija 1-0 (Persija go through 2-1 on aggregate)
Western Division
1. Persik 28 15 4 9 51-40 49
2. Sriwijaya 26 14 6 6 41-22 48
3. Persija 28 14 6 8 39-31 48
4. Persib 28 13 8 7 37-24 47
Eastern Division
1. Persipura 30 16 7 7 46-22 55
2. Persiwa 30 16 4 10 46-28 52
3. Persiter 30 16 6 9 30-24 51
4. Persmin 30 14 8 8 39-28 50
This week:
Tuesday sees Persib host Sriwijaya in front of an empty Siliwangi Stadium. Perhaps one of them might even deign to win? Certainly Persib are without a win in their last six while I can't even remember when Sriwijaya played last! Persela play Persita with both sides eyeing a place in the top 4.
Just one game Wednesday sees PSMS play Semen Padang. The Medan side have slid down to 6th spot recently but they must fancy their chances against the whipping boys from Minangkabau.
Busy day Thursday with Persikota hosting Persiraja in a game that has had fans queuing al week for tickets. Or maybe not. PSDS go to Persikabo and Persija travel to PSSB. The match of the day is PSM, now struggling in 9th spot, at home to Sidoarjo who are 5th. The final match sees Perseman play PSIM in a battle of the celler dwellers
Sunday, November 25, 2007
PSM v Persija 1-0
Persija go through 2-1 on aggregate. They play Sidoarjo in the next round.
What's wrong with the English game
Just days after the Croatian debacle and all the hand wringing that followed you only had to watch the Arsenal v Wigan game yesterday and listen to the wise saws of the venerable Martin Tyler and colour commentator Waren Barton to know how deep lies the malaise in our game.
Wigan were praised non stop for their defensive doggedness and hard work ethic...
They created little up front and had little guile or inventiveness in the middle yet still the football 'experts' wobble on about their guts and determination!
Rewind a few days and these self same media types were bemoaning just these qualities as being ineffective on the international stage. I don't get it. Actually, I do. Tyler will hype the Premier League till he's blue in the face. He could commentate on some turgid nonsense dished up by the likes of Bolton and Sunderland and he would make it sound like the Bolshoi ballet.
It's all about the ratings, innit? When you fork out millions to show the stuff you're not going to turn round and say, hey that was a load of old soiled knickers are you? Straight away we have a dumbing down of the debate about our game.
Many fans, me included, are prefectly frank about our loyalties. Club over country every time thank you very much. Much of the media are the same though they dress it up behind headlines and exclusives. Yeah, we get a few corcodile tears when we muck up on the pitch and the press rejoice when the manager leaves but at the end of the day it's the league that counts.
Wednesday and Thursday's recriminations are forgotten as we get back to the Churchillian spirit typified by pluck Wigan against the majesterial Arsenal.
It's not Wigan's fault. They have to make do with the resources they have and they have done brilliantly over the last couple of years. Certainly they made Arsenal work hard yesterday for their three points. But please don't canonise them for defending in numbers and not trying to win a football match. Ultimately they got what they deserved.
Wigan were praised non stop for their defensive doggedness and hard work ethic...
They created little up front and had little guile or inventiveness in the middle yet still the football 'experts' wobble on about their guts and determination!
Rewind a few days and these self same media types were bemoaning just these qualities as being ineffective on the international stage. I don't get it. Actually, I do. Tyler will hype the Premier League till he's blue in the face. He could commentate on some turgid nonsense dished up by the likes of Bolton and Sunderland and he would make it sound like the Bolshoi ballet.
It's all about the ratings, innit? When you fork out millions to show the stuff you're not going to turn round and say, hey that was a load of old soiled knickers are you? Straight away we have a dumbing down of the debate about our game.
Many fans, me included, are prefectly frank about our loyalties. Club over country every time thank you very much. Much of the media are the same though they dress it up behind headlines and exclusives. Yeah, we get a few corcodile tears when we muck up on the pitch and the press rejoice when the manager leaves but at the end of the day it's the league that counts.
Wednesday and Thursday's recriminations are forgotten as we get back to the Churchillian spirit typified by pluck Wigan against the majesterial Arsenal.
It's not Wigan's fault. They have to make do with the resources they have and they have done brilliantly over the last couple of years. Certainly they made Arsenal work hard yesterday for their three points. But please don't canonise them for defending in numbers and not trying to win a football match. Ultimately they got what they deserved.
Singapore Cup
Last night at Jalan Besar Stadium Bangkok University beat Woodlands Wellington 1-0 to secure 3rd spot in the Singapore Cup.
In today's final SAF are bidding for a domestic double and they are up against Tampines Rovers.
Bangkok University, who also took part in the Asian Champions League were one of four foreign teams to compete in this season's cup. They were joined by Phnom Penh Empire, Chonburi and DPMM from Brunei.
Any chance of an Indonesian team taking part next season?
Yes, daft question I know...
In today's final SAF are bidding for a domestic double and they are up against Tampines Rovers.
Bangkok University, who also took part in the Asian Champions League were one of four foreign teams to compete in this season's cup. They were joined by Phnom Penh Empire, Chonburi and DPMM from Brunei.
Any chance of an Indonesian team taking part next season?
Yes, daft question I know...
PSS v Persitara 3-3
I had to leave this game just after PSS had scored their first goal. It left them 3-1 down and facing an unlikely defeat to Jakarta's 'other' team. Unlikely because away wins are a rare feature of life in the Liga Indonesia but with 28 minutes left and Persitara 3-0 up that was the likely outcome.
It wasn't to be of course. Niane scored on 84 minutes and in the 6th minute of injury time (!) a penalty made it 3-3. Of course far be it for me to suggest anything untoward. I mean the recent PSIM clash with Persiter played on until the hosts got an equaliser. But they're conincidences right?
Needless to say the Persitara players and officials weren't happy bunnies while the PSS fans, faced with a shock home defeat, threw plastic water bottles on the pitch in time honoured tradition.
As things stand neither club is on course for a spot in next years' Liga Super. Shame because PSS have one of the better stadiums in the country.
It wasn't to be of course. Niane scored on 84 minutes and in the 6th minute of injury time (!) a penalty made it 3-3. Of course far be it for me to suggest anything untoward. I mean the recent PSIM clash with Persiter played on until the hosts got an equaliser. But they're conincidences right?
Needless to say the Persitara players and officials weren't happy bunnies while the PSS fans, faced with a shock home defeat, threw plastic water bottles on the pitch in time honoured tradition.
As things stand neither club is on course for a spot in next years' Liga Super. Shame because PSS have one of the better stadiums in the country.
PSIS for sale
Semarang Dave was in touch last night with this nugget. Local papers are reporting a large transport group and a tobacco manufacturer are in talks to buy ailing PSIS. A sum of 20 billion rupiah is being mooted which is a very large sum indeed with many zero's. 9,000 to the USD for you cunning number folk.
There are presently four privately owned clubs in the Liga, as opposed to the rest who get their funding from local government. Semen Padang, PKT Botang, Arema Malang and Pelita Jaya Purwarkarta. Semen Padang are owned by a cement company, PKT by a fertiliser group (come on you shits), Arema by big tobacco and PJ by the Bakrie Group.
There are presently four privately owned clubs in the Liga, as opposed to the rest who get their funding from local government. Semen Padang, PKT Botang, Arema Malang and Pelita Jaya Purwarkarta. Semen Padang are owned by a cement company, PKT by a fertiliser group (come on you shits), Arema by big tobacco and PJ by the Bakrie Group.
Saturday, November 24, 2007
Malaysian Super League
Pahang v Kedah 1-2
PDRM v Penang 2-0
Terangganu v Sarawak 4-0
Selangor v Johor 1-1
DPMM v Negeri Sembilan 0-1
MyTeam v Perak 0-1
PDRM (Police) and Perak are the only teams with a 100% record after two game. The Police lead the table with a better goal difference.
No fixtures for a month as the focus switches to the SEA Games.
PDRM v Penang 2-0
Terangganu v Sarawak 4-0
Selangor v Johor 1-1
DPMM v Negeri Sembilan 0-1
MyTeam v Perak 0-1
PDRM (Police) and Perak are the only teams with a 100% record after two game. The Police lead the table with a better goal difference.
No fixtures for a month as the focus switches to the SEA Games.
PDRM v Indonesia Under 23's
In a hastily rearranged game after initial opponents Perlis pulled out, the Under 23's beat the Royal Malaysian Police Force 3-1 despite having two players sent off.
Ardan Eras, Eka Ramdani and Ian Loius Kabes got the goals.
Next Monday they play the Malaysian Under 23's before going to Thailand.
Ardan Eras, Eka Ramdani and Ian Loius Kabes got the goals.
Next Monday they play the Malaysian Under 23's before going to Thailand.
Big clash tomorrow
No, I don't mean Arema v Persipura. Actually that as well. But this other clash sees the Arsenal Supporters' Club taking on the Arsenal Soccer School at ISCI in Ciputat. I have threatened to come out of retirement for this game but am now having second thoughts. Come on, it's Arema and Persipura...it don't get much bigger.
Decisions, decisions...
Arema, unbeaten at home, should welcome back the impressive Emile Mbamba while Alex Pulalo and Bruno Casmir are suspended. Boaz Solossa is still out for Persipura which means he won't come up against his brother Ortizan. Also missing for the Black Pearls are Wanggai, Ian Louis Kabes, Bachtiar Ude and Ricardo Salempassy who are with the Under 23's in Malaysia.
It promises to be a great game of football and Arema, if they beat the leaders, would move to within one point of the Papuan giants.
Pity Persija
Persija will be hitting the road over the next few days. Tomorrow they play the second leg of theiur oft delayed Copa Indonesia tie in Makassar on the island of Sulawesi. They then head to the wilds of Aceh where they are due to play PSSB Bireuen on Wednesday afternoon.
The nearest airport to Bireuen is Medan which is a two hour flight from Jakarta. Then it's on the bus for a 4 hour drive up the coast.
Mind you players have it tough in England as well. Liverpool are flying to Newcastle for today's Premier League clash. What the...I guess the M62 then A1 is good enough for the fans but not the players eh?
The nearest airport to Bireuen is Medan which is a two hour flight from Jakarta. Then it's on the bus for a 4 hour drive up the coast.
Mind you players have it tough in England as well. Liverpool are flying to Newcastle for today's Premier League clash. What the...I guess the M62 then A1 is good enough for the fans but not the players eh?
Friday, November 23, 2007
Liga Indonesia this week
Saturday:
PSS v Persitara
Sunday:
PSIS v Pelita Jaya
Arema v Persipura'
Persiter v Persma
Persmin v Persibom
PSS v Persitara
Sunday:
PSIS v Pelita Jaya
Arema v Persipura'
Persiter v Persma
Persmin v Persibom
Persipura go top
PSIS V Persita 2-0 10,000 (Lopez 2)
Arema v Persiwa 2-1 25,000 (Ichwan, Fernando: Habel)
Persekabpas v Persipura 0-2 5,000 (Goncavles, Rumere)
Persmin v Persma 4-1 17,000 (Yalet 2, Moreno 2: Carrasco)
Persiter v Persibom 3-1 3,000 (Fabiano 2, Julio Cesar: Safrudin)
Tables later lah
Arema v Persiwa 2-1 25,000 (Ichwan, Fernando: Habel)
Persekabpas v Persipura 0-2 5,000 (Goncavles, Rumere)
Persmin v Persma 4-1 17,000 (Yalet 2, Moreno 2: Carrasco)
Persiter v Persibom 3-1 3,000 (Fabiano 2, Julio Cesar: Safrudin)
Tables later lah
Thursday, November 22, 2007
Character assassination
Over on some Indonesian message board I'm being charactised as not only an Arsenal hooligan (EH???!!!) but also a diplomat working at the British Embassy!!!I've been called many things in my four score on this poncey rock but no one has ever called be diplomatic!
Not sure what a picture of some girls laughing about a g string has to do with this post mind...
Forget PSIS v Persita, I'm off to solve the middle east crisis then invite that Iranian geezer over to Jakarta to buy him a tie. Should keep me busy for an hour or so...
SLeague Champions
Two early goals were enough to secure the SLeague for SAF in front of a bumper, non paying crowd, of nearly 4,000 fans. The win against Gombak United meant the efforts of Home and Tampines were all in vain.
Home finished second thanks to Qiu Li's last minute winner at Geylang United.
Tampines finished 3rd, beating Albiirex 3-1 at the Tampines Stadium.
Full table here.
Home finished second thanks to Qiu Li's last minute winner at Geylang United.
Tampines finished 3rd, beating Albiirex 3-1 at the Tampines Stadium.
Full table here.
Arema v Persiwa 2-1
800 security personnel were on duty for this high octane Eastern Division clash yet the biggest thugs still got through. Persiwa made little attempt to play football in the first half, instead preferring to kick and dive their way through a game that was shown live across the nation, and deserved to go in at half time a goal down.
Persiwa don't get too much exposure and for many here their position at the top of the Eastern Division has been a surprise. Watching their brutish efforts on the pitch today it remains a surprise no more. Enough to say they remain unbeaten at home this season and there are no roads in or out of the Papuan town. A referee is very much on his own out there!
Second half they started playing football and while there equaliser may have had a touch of offside about it the finish from Habel was as aweet a volley as you're likely to see. Relative of course but in a league where flaying is the norm Habel kept his eye on the ball all the way and it was beautifully executed. Much to the delight of the few Persiwa fans in the crowd who didn't get to Malang on the bus.
With 15 minutes left Elie Aiboy, shoing the form he as struggled to achieve internationally, had Persiwa tracking martians leaving new boy Fernando to head home and restore Arema's lead.
With Arema back in the league Persiwa allowed indiscipline to raise its ugly head but to be fair Arema were no saints and a spitting incident featuring Suroso seemingly going unpunished. Without Mbamba they lacked a bit of quality going forward that makes me sound like Brian Marwood so I'll stop now.
Arema's victory takes them on to 48 points but with two games in hand on the Papuan leaders Persiwa and Persipura. For Persiwa they stay joint top but two straight away defeats won't be much of a surprise. They are where they are because of their home form.
Persiwa don't get too much exposure and for many here their position at the top of the Eastern Division has been a surprise. Watching their brutish efforts on the pitch today it remains a surprise no more. Enough to say they remain unbeaten at home this season and there are no roads in or out of the Papuan town. A referee is very much on his own out there!
Second half they started playing football and while there equaliser may have had a touch of offside about it the finish from Habel was as aweet a volley as you're likely to see. Relative of course but in a league where flaying is the norm Habel kept his eye on the ball all the way and it was beautifully executed. Much to the delight of the few Persiwa fans in the crowd who didn't get to Malang on the bus.
With 15 minutes left Elie Aiboy, shoing the form he as struggled to achieve internationally, had Persiwa tracking martians leaving new boy Fernando to head home and restore Arema's lead.
With Arema back in the league Persiwa allowed indiscipline to raise its ugly head but to be fair Arema were no saints and a spitting incident featuring Suroso seemingly going unpunished. Without Mbamba they lacked a bit of quality going forward that makes me sound like Brian Marwood so I'll stop now.
Arema's victory takes them on to 48 points but with two games in hand on the Papuan leaders Persiwa and Persipura. For Persiwa they stay joint top but two straight away defeats won't be much of a surprise. They are where they are because of their home form.
Blame the fans
What can you do when a country of 45 million souls that boasts just a solitary trophy on the world stage and believes its own hype yet again fails to reach the standards it has set for itself? During all the recriminations surrounding our defeat to Croatia and subsequent failure to qualify for the Euro Championships next year we overlook pertinent facts at our peril.
Having what may or may not be the best league in the world is no guarantee of international success as one Champions League success in seven years testifies.
Our supposed golden generation may have shone in our little England minds but they were taken from a limited pool of talent and there ain’t a lot left in reserve.
We have a culture to build something up then when we don’t like what we see we are determined to bring them back down to earth. The Australians call it the tall poppy syndrome.
We mercilessly slagged Sven off because he lacked passion on the bench!
When we have a football club chairman who calls Steve Bruce one of the best managers in the country then we have to worry. Worry that the people who run our game may actually have lost their collective marbles or, even worse, he maybe speaking the truth. Bruce by the way has seen his installation at Wigan delayed as he quibbles of advanced image payments from Birmingham. This is football 2007 when a cauliflowered hooter Geordie has image rights!
We have a footballing public who are part of the problem. Who else buys the books the players produce with tedious regularity? It sure ain’t people with an interest in literature. We have developed a culture of the celebrity and fans buy into it. Mac was scared to drop the big name players because he was scared of the potential backlash from the media and the saps who lap it up.
To be an England fan you must join an England supporters club. Then you buy the shirts, paint your face and sing England till I die to a Salvation Army brass band accompaniment. You pay premium prices for below par performances and if you didn’t then somebody else will, willing to buy into the England/Wembley experience.
You’re Flossie the cow and you’re being milked year round but you have never turned round and said pull the udder one. As long as you fill the seats and buy the merchandise the FA will be happy to take your money and change zilch. By spending that money you’re approving of their actions. Or inactions.
The media hype up the fans. The fans believe it and hype the players, the players believe it and book photo spreads, the fans buy the photo spread and the football gets forgotten. No one wants to break the circle and actually tell the truth.
The fanzine generation was supposed to break that circle. It was supposed to bring a new critique, a new way of thinking about football. It hasn’t. What we get now on the magazine racks is more of the same 20 years ago. Teenager magazines with gloss and sponsored articles but sod all analysis. Compare, someone please, with Kicker in Germany where you find intelligent thought and debate.
In England we have what we deserve. We glorify stupidity and anti social behaviour and call intelligent footballers gay. Publishers sign up some scouse kid with zits for a 5 book deal not because he has done anything of any interest. He hasn’t. They sign him up ‘cos the name Wayne Rooney sells and you are buying it. You are buying in to the whole rigmarole that keeps football debate in the playground.
So blame Stevie Mac (but say nothing as he barters for his 'compensation' pay off). Blame the suits at the FA. Hell, even blame Arsene Wenger. Blame who the hell you want as you reach for the red top and the latest WAG scandal.
Having what may or may not be the best league in the world is no guarantee of international success as one Champions League success in seven years testifies.
Our supposed golden generation may have shone in our little England minds but they were taken from a limited pool of talent and there ain’t a lot left in reserve.
We have a culture to build something up then when we don’t like what we see we are determined to bring them back down to earth. The Australians call it the tall poppy syndrome.
We mercilessly slagged Sven off because he lacked passion on the bench!
When we have a football club chairman who calls Steve Bruce one of the best managers in the country then we have to worry. Worry that the people who run our game may actually have lost their collective marbles or, even worse, he maybe speaking the truth. Bruce by the way has seen his installation at Wigan delayed as he quibbles of advanced image payments from Birmingham. This is football 2007 when a cauliflowered hooter Geordie has image rights!
We have a footballing public who are part of the problem. Who else buys the books the players produce with tedious regularity? It sure ain’t people with an interest in literature. We have developed a culture of the celebrity and fans buy into it. Mac was scared to drop the big name players because he was scared of the potential backlash from the media and the saps who lap it up.
To be an England fan you must join an England supporters club. Then you buy the shirts, paint your face and sing England till I die to a Salvation Army brass band accompaniment. You pay premium prices for below par performances and if you didn’t then somebody else will, willing to buy into the England/Wembley experience.
You’re Flossie the cow and you’re being milked year round but you have never turned round and said pull the udder one. As long as you fill the seats and buy the merchandise the FA will be happy to take your money and change zilch. By spending that money you’re approving of their actions. Or inactions.
The media hype up the fans. The fans believe it and hype the players, the players believe it and book photo spreads, the fans buy the photo spread and the football gets forgotten. No one wants to break the circle and actually tell the truth.
The fanzine generation was supposed to break that circle. It was supposed to bring a new critique, a new way of thinking about football. It hasn’t. What we get now on the magazine racks is more of the same 20 years ago. Teenager magazines with gloss and sponsored articles but sod all analysis. Compare, someone please, with Kicker in Germany where you find intelligent thought and debate.
In England we have what we deserve. We glorify stupidity and anti social behaviour and call intelligent footballers gay. Publishers sign up some scouse kid with zits for a 5 book deal not because he has done anything of any interest. He hasn’t. They sign him up ‘cos the name Wayne Rooney sells and you are buying it. You are buying in to the whole rigmarole that keeps football debate in the playground.
So blame Stevie Mac (but say nothing as he barters for his 'compensation' pay off). Blame the suits at the FA. Hell, even blame Arsene Wenger. Blame who the hell you want as you reach for the red top and the latest WAG scandal.
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
Persija v Persikabo 2-2
Persija missed the opportunity to go top of the Western Division as they twice allowed 10 man Persikabo to come from behind this afternoon at Lebuk Bulus in front of another sell out crowd.
Lacking the fluency that so tore PSM apart in last weeks Copa, Persija took an early lead through the immense Abanda.
The visitors were unlucky to have their keeper Fauzi sent off when replays showed there was no connection when Bambang went sprawling just on the 18 yard line. The following free kick was wasted.
However on 38 minutes Leonardo, getting a rare start this season, slipped up on the edge of the penalty box allowing Rodrigo to equalise.
Second half and a neat through ball by Agus Indra released Aliyudin down the inside right channel and he beat the replacement keeper, Halim, at the near post. 2-1 the Jak but you wondered whether they had enough in the tank.
Roger Batoum was as effective for Bogor as he was for Persija last season but the home team were just about absent without leave in the midfield.
It was no suprise when yet more poor defending gifted Rodrigo a second.
A disappointing result but you wonder whether anyone wants to finish top. Persib and Sriwijaya have all spurned chances in games they should have won while PSMS are sliding to oblivion. Maybe everyone is content to sit back and allow Persik the number one spot.
Lacking the fluency that so tore PSM apart in last weeks Copa, Persija took an early lead through the immense Abanda.
The visitors were unlucky to have their keeper Fauzi sent off when replays showed there was no connection when Bambang went sprawling just on the 18 yard line. The following free kick was wasted.
However on 38 minutes Leonardo, getting a rare start this season, slipped up on the edge of the penalty box allowing Rodrigo to equalise.
Second half and a neat through ball by Agus Indra released Aliyudin down the inside right channel and he beat the replacement keeper, Halim, at the near post. 2-1 the Jak but you wondered whether they had enough in the tank.
Roger Batoum was as effective for Bogor as he was for Persija last season but the home team were just about absent without leave in the midfield.
It was no suprise when yet more poor defending gifted Rodrigo a second.
A disappointing result but you wonder whether anyone wants to finish top. Persib and Sriwijaya have all spurned chances in games they should have won while PSMS are sliding to oblivion. Maybe everyone is content to sit back and allow Persik the number one spot.
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
Three Thais head west
Manchester City, bankrolled by former Thai premier Thaksin Shinawatra, have signed three young Thais in an effort to boost shirt sales in Bangkok. Sorry, that's not fair. Thaksin has signed three countrymen to curry favour back home in the run in to the upcoming election. No no, apologies. Sven signed them because he sees a great future for these guys ability and...sorry. Thaksin, it's his money after all, has told Sven who to sign and in the near future he will take a hands on role in team selection when the Swede has a runny nose.
Rumours that City will soon by sponsored by Thaksin's former politcal party, Thai Rak Thai, have been rubbished by the club. Nonsense they said, politics and sport don't mix. Instead Thai Rath, a leading player in the media field, are looking at expanding into the British market.
City fans will soon be learning new songs though as Thaksin has apporoached Thai star Tata Young to write some more culturally sensitive stuff.
Jai yen yen, jai yen yen
Rao pen khon City
Jai yen yen
The snack bars round the City of Manchester stadium will be overhauled and out go the pies and mushy peas. Instead fans can enjoy pad thai and som tam while drinking coke through a straw out of a plastic bag.
Players won't be unaffected either. Anyone receiving a straight red card will have to have his head shaved and enter the monkhood till the next rainy season, which in Manchester is usually only a couple of hours away.
Next June, depending on the election results in December, City will head East and play friendlies against Provincial Electricity Authority, Nakorn Nowhere FC and Krung Thai Bank.
Thaksin is also looking at having Oasis tour Thailand supporting Thai folk legends Carabao. The tour, provisionaly titled "Issan Rak Citeh" (Issan loves City), and all dates will be shown live on ITV, the TV channel owned by the Shinawatras.
Or it could all be bollox!
Rumours that City will soon by sponsored by Thaksin's former politcal party, Thai Rak Thai, have been rubbished by the club. Nonsense they said, politics and sport don't mix. Instead Thai Rath, a leading player in the media field, are looking at expanding into the British market.
City fans will soon be learning new songs though as Thaksin has apporoached Thai star Tata Young to write some more culturally sensitive stuff.
Jai yen yen, jai yen yen
Rao pen khon City
Jai yen yen
The snack bars round the City of Manchester stadium will be overhauled and out go the pies and mushy peas. Instead fans can enjoy pad thai and som tam while drinking coke through a straw out of a plastic bag.
Players won't be unaffected either. Anyone receiving a straight red card will have to have his head shaved and enter the monkhood till the next rainy season, which in Manchester is usually only a couple of hours away.
Next June, depending on the election results in December, City will head East and play friendlies against Provincial Electricity Authority, Nakorn Nowhere FC and Krung Thai Bank.
Thaksin is also looking at having Oasis tour Thailand supporting Thai folk legends Carabao. The tour, provisionaly titled "Issan Rak Citeh" (Issan loves City), and all dates will be shown live on ITV, the TV channel owned by the Shinawatras.
Or it could all be bollox!
Malaysian Super League
Penang v Pahang 0-2
Sarawak v PDRM 1-4
Johor v Terengganu 2-1
Negeri Sembilan v Selangor 0-2
Perak v DPMM 2-0
PDRM, the Royal Police, are top of the league and tomorrow play Penang. Selangor host Johor on the same day while another newly promoted side MyTeam play Perak at Kelana Jaya Stadium
There is a second tier Premier League which features the Malaysian Under 19 squad but I won't bother keeping tabs on this. I do have a day job you know!
Sarawak v PDRM 1-4
Johor v Terengganu 2-1
Negeri Sembilan v Selangor 0-2
Perak v DPMM 2-0
PDRM, the Royal Police, are top of the league and tomorrow play Penang. Selangor host Johor on the same day while another newly promoted side MyTeam play Perak at Kelana Jaya Stadium
There is a second tier Premier League which features the Malaysian Under 19 squad but I won't bother keeping tabs on this. I do have a day job you know!
Problems in paradise
Persigi Bali FC coach Henk Wullems has seen his team struggle recently. They lie 17th in the Eastern Division and can contemplate next season in the new look 32 team Division Premier. To add to the Dutchman's woes he hasn't been paid for a few months. He could be ready to take his case to FIFA if nothing happens in the near future.
Struggling Persib
Persib Bandung remain in 3rd spot in the Western Division but with just three points in the last five games they must be looking forward to their run in with some trepidation. Coach Arcan Iurie must be looking at his squad and wondering what has gone wrong with the team that had started the season so well.
Last weekend the city of Bandung celebrated its 197th anniversary and the Persib players joined in the celebrations prompting Patricio Jimenez to say the fans were like nothing he had seen before.
Maybe but they won't be so happy if a season that has promised so much ends up with nothing.
Last weekend the city of Bandung celebrated its 197th anniversary and the Persib players joined in the celebrations prompting Patricio Jimenez to say the fans were like nothing he had seen before.
Maybe but they won't be so happy if a season that has promised so much ends up with nothing.
A thrilling week of football
It promises to be an outstanding week here in South East Asia with a title decider in Singapore, top of the table clashes in Indonesia and the season up and running in Malaysia.
We'll start in Indonesia of course. Toworrow sees Roger Batoum return to one of his old clubs as Persikabo make the short journey up the Bogor toll road to take on Persija. Persikabo, who expect to be followed by about 100 fans, a far cry from the 8,000 Persija fans who made the opposite journey earlier in the season, have yet to win away, their 14 games seeing them collect seven draws and seven defeats. Persija can go top if they win but as Persib have shown recently, there seems a reluctance by clubs to take top spot.
Pelita Jaya travel to Persela knowing three points could see them rise to 5th spot, just off the pace.
Thursday has Benny Dollo's Persita head to struggling PSIS. Victory for the Benteng Viola would see them level on points with Persib but 30 goals all season tells its own story. Remove Ernest Siangkam from their forward line and they are positively light. It has seemed that Julio Lopez has personally carried PSIS this season and he will be expecting a decent showing from his team mates or they will be looking at a life away from the Liga Super next season.
An important week in the Eastern Division. Persiwa are at Arema Malang who have been coming good recently while Persipura take on Persekabpas. Both games are in East Java and in both games you would favour the home team...but Persipura, who have the best away record in their division, will make it tough for a team that last time out turned over Papuan rivals Persiwa. The Black Pearls have players on international duty while Boaz Solassa is still injured.
Crunch time tomorrow in Singapore. The three horse race between SAF, Home United and Tampines Rovers will be finally decided under the lights with the Warriors having the slight edge. Victory for them will seal the SLeague for them, irrespective of how their challengers do.
Home travel to Geylang knowing they must win and pray SAF don't. Tampines host Albiirex knowing they must win and SAF lose with Home losing or drawing to be champions.
Follow that?
I'll do a Malaysian round up later.
We'll start in Indonesia of course. Toworrow sees Roger Batoum return to one of his old clubs as Persikabo make the short journey up the Bogor toll road to take on Persija. Persikabo, who expect to be followed by about 100 fans, a far cry from the 8,000 Persija fans who made the opposite journey earlier in the season, have yet to win away, their 14 games seeing them collect seven draws and seven defeats. Persija can go top if they win but as Persib have shown recently, there seems a reluctance by clubs to take top spot.
Pelita Jaya travel to Persela knowing three points could see them rise to 5th spot, just off the pace.
Thursday has Benny Dollo's Persita head to struggling PSIS. Victory for the Benteng Viola would see them level on points with Persib but 30 goals all season tells its own story. Remove Ernest Siangkam from their forward line and they are positively light. It has seemed that Julio Lopez has personally carried PSIS this season and he will be expecting a decent showing from his team mates or they will be looking at a life away from the Liga Super next season.
An important week in the Eastern Division. Persiwa are at Arema Malang who have been coming good recently while Persipura take on Persekabpas. Both games are in East Java and in both games you would favour the home team...but Persipura, who have the best away record in their division, will make it tough for a team that last time out turned over Papuan rivals Persiwa. The Black Pearls have players on international duty while Boaz Solassa is still injured.
Crunch time tomorrow in Singapore. The three horse race between SAF, Home United and Tampines Rovers will be finally decided under the lights with the Warriors having the slight edge. Victory for them will seal the SLeague for them, irrespective of how their challengers do.
Home travel to Geylang knowing they must win and pray SAF don't. Tampines host Albiirex knowing they must win and SAF lose with Home losing or drawing to be champions.
Follow that?
I'll do a Malaysian round up later.
Exclusive interview with Jakmania leader
As I said earlier at the weekend I met up with Danang from the Persija fan club Jakmania and we sat and changed the world over a couple of beers. Catch the interview here.
First time I've done something like this so feel free to give comments lah!
First time I've done something like this so feel free to give comments lah!
Monday, November 19, 2007
From demo organiser to mother hen
At the weekend I sat down for an interview with Danang, the Gen Sec of the Jakmania and also leading light behind the movement to oust Nurdin Halid as FA Chairman. We had a very informative chat over a number of topics, ok one, football, and hopefully the interview will see the light of day over on the ESPN website soon.
One thing I asked about was evening kick offs at Lebuk Bulus for Persija games. The recent Copa tie with PSM was originally slated for 6.30 but soon reverted to the more traditional 3.30 pm. Annoying for me 'cos I can't get there in time.
"Many of our supporters are young and come from distant parts of Jakarta. By kicking off later it means they would be stuck in traffic coming to and from the stadium and they would end up getting home late," he explained.
Note to the English Premier League: please read and comment!
One thing I asked about was evening kick offs at Lebuk Bulus for Persija games. The recent Copa tie with PSM was originally slated for 6.30 but soon reverted to the more traditional 3.30 pm. Annoying for me 'cos I can't get there in time.
"Many of our supporters are young and come from distant parts of Jakarta. By kicking off later it means they would be stuck in traffic coming to and from the stadium and they would end up getting home late," he explained.
Note to the English Premier League: please read and comment!
It's the players, stupid!
The other week I decided to build a new home for one of my rabbits, Bintang his name after a local beer. As I gazed at the plans I marveled at what I hoped would be Bintang's own little palace for years to come. It was as near to Bunny heaven this side of the M6 and I couldn't wait to get started.
It didn't take long for my dreams to be dashed. Much of the wood I'd got was useless. The nails bent too easily. I had left a hole for him to poop merrily into but I'd left no way for me to remove said shit. The wire mesh was too sharp at the edges. And the roof caved in come the first monsoon. The result was one drenched and fully miserable looking rabbit. But it had looked so good on paper.
Formations are much my like plans for Bintang's luxury pad. 4-4-2, 3-5-2, 4-3-3. Oh and don't forget we have the man in the hole. 4-1-3-1-2 or 4-4-1-1. I don't ever recall Brian Clough or Bill Shankly discussing formations at any great length. Maybe they did in the changing rooms but I'm sure it was more a case of '...and if their centre forward gets too close to goal I don't care which one of you bastards does it but break his bloody leg.'
Watch Arsenal. They line up at kick off time 4-4-2. Then it goes out the window. With so many red shirts piling forwards at any moment defenders must feel like General Custer at the Little Big Horn. Which way to turn? Now, what did the boss say if their left back overlaps I must, hold on. Clichy is the left back but this is Adebayor going down the line and we were told that if the big man goes wide then Hutchie has to follow him and Gatesy covers Hutchie while I...
Formations are like every other theory put forward by mankind to try and bring some meaning to life. They look good on paper but they fail to take into account people. It's the players that make the difference between a good time and a bad team, not pretty patterns on a chalk board.
If I want numbers I'd take up Bingo...
BTW Me and a mate finally knocked up a reasonable abode for Bintang that used all he sodden materials and till now he seems happy enough. Especially as he has found the front door doesn't lock...
It didn't take long for my dreams to be dashed. Much of the wood I'd got was useless. The nails bent too easily. I had left a hole for him to poop merrily into but I'd left no way for me to remove said shit. The wire mesh was too sharp at the edges. And the roof caved in come the first monsoon. The result was one drenched and fully miserable looking rabbit. But it had looked so good on paper.
Formations are much my like plans for Bintang's luxury pad. 4-4-2, 3-5-2, 4-3-3. Oh and don't forget we have the man in the hole. 4-1-3-1-2 or 4-4-1-1. I don't ever recall Brian Clough or Bill Shankly discussing formations at any great length. Maybe they did in the changing rooms but I'm sure it was more a case of '...and if their centre forward gets too close to goal I don't care which one of you bastards does it but break his bloody leg.'
Watch Arsenal. They line up at kick off time 4-4-2. Then it goes out the window. With so many red shirts piling forwards at any moment defenders must feel like General Custer at the Little Big Horn. Which way to turn? Now, what did the boss say if their left back overlaps I must, hold on. Clichy is the left back but this is Adebayor going down the line and we were told that if the big man goes wide then Hutchie has to follow him and Gatesy covers Hutchie while I...
Formations are like every other theory put forward by mankind to try and bring some meaning to life. They look good on paper but they fail to take into account people. It's the players that make the difference between a good time and a bad team, not pretty patterns on a chalk board.
If I want numbers I'd take up Bingo...
BTW Me and a mate finally knocked up a reasonable abode for Bintang that used all he sodden materials and till now he seems happy enough. Especially as he has found the front door doesn't lock...
Syria v Indonesia 7-0
Indonesia's place on the world stage reached an all time low as coach Ivan Kolev's gamble of going with youth backfired big time in Damascus last night.
Before this second leg WCQ Kolev had ditched the first team and drafted in the Under 23's reasoning they were better prepared after their month in Argentina but now questions will be asked about the Bulgarian's future.
Confidence will have taken a battering last night; how will that effect preparations for next months SEA Games in Thailand which seems to have been the main priority of the FA all along?
But for the Indonesian public, after the false dawn of the Asian Cup, football here is back to same old, same old. The optimism has been swept away by first the Nurdin Halid case and now an embarrassing display in football's showcase event.
An 11-1 aggregate defeat is a stark enough message in any language. I hope it gets through to the bigwigs.
Somehow I doubt it. Instead what we'll see is lots of finger pointing, shuffling of feet and covering of arses but nothing will substantially change.
Before this second leg WCQ Kolev had ditched the first team and drafted in the Under 23's reasoning they were better prepared after their month in Argentina but now questions will be asked about the Bulgarian's future.
Confidence will have taken a battering last night; how will that effect preparations for next months SEA Games in Thailand which seems to have been the main priority of the FA all along?
But for the Indonesian public, after the false dawn of the Asian Cup, football here is back to same old, same old. The optimism has been swept away by first the Nurdin Halid case and now an embarrassing display in football's showcase event.
An 11-1 aggregate defeat is a stark enough message in any language. I hope it gets through to the bigwigs.
Somehow I doubt it. Instead what we'll see is lots of finger pointing, shuffling of feet and covering of arses but nothing will substantially change.
Sunday, November 18, 2007
Tampines fight on
Tampines Rovers moved to within two points of leaders SAF last night after beating Sengkang Punggol 4-2 last night.
Is it too little too late? Final fixtures are on Wednesday and if there ever was a god of football all three games would be shown live on pan ASEAN TV.
Geylang v Home
SAF V Gombak
Tampines v Albirex
The table at the moment
Is it too little too late? Final fixtures are on Wednesday and if there ever was a god of football all three games would be shown live on pan ASEAN TV.
Geylang v Home
SAF V Gombak
Tampines v Albirex
The table at the moment
Persiwa lose
Papuan side Persiwa Wamena lost the chance to go 6 points clear as they fell to bottom club Persekabpas 3-1.
They remain three points clear of Persipura at the top of the Eastern Division but their away form could soon see them slipping down the table.
Did you know their goalkeeper is named Charles Woof?
No games today
They remain three points clear of Persipura at the top of the Eastern Division but their away form could soon see them slipping down the table.
Did you know their goalkeeper is named Charles Woof?
No games today
England's No 1 (would you want these people in your team)
English players like Bothroyd, Pennant caused nothing but problems at Arsenal, moaning they were never given a chance in the first team. Hardly knocking on the England door now are they even when the resources are gossamer thin?
Then there's players Wenger has released:
Taylor (Villa reserve), Sidwell (Chelsea reserve)Harper (Reading), Bentley (Blackburn), Halls (Stoke?), Noble (?)
They have hardly covered themselves in glory have they?
Lets look at Spurs and their 'policy' of buying young English talent:
Bent (HAHA), Jenas, Lennon, Robinson, Defoe, Dawson, Huddlestone, Routledge...only Robinson has been an England regular and don't you wish he had't?
And then we have the English players talent for ASBO behaviour:
Ferdinand, Barton, Hughes, Bowyer, Dyer, Pennant, Terry
And finally Manchester United and their policy of paying top whack for the best talent. No wonder Fergie is gloating about this being his best ever quad. Throw in the foreigners and it is also the most expensive so it should be good.
Rooney, Rio, Hargreaves, Carrick, not everyone has 94 million in loose change!
Paper talk last week had Villa's Agbonlahor valued at 15 million!!! Give me van Persie at 20 % of that any day.
English players are overhyped, overpaid. No wonder Arsene doesn't bother with them ...
Tellingly no one wants them in Europe either.
Then there's players Wenger has released:
Taylor (Villa reserve), Sidwell (Chelsea reserve)Harper (Reading), Bentley (Blackburn), Halls (Stoke?), Noble (?)
They have hardly covered themselves in glory have they?
Lets look at Spurs and their 'policy' of buying young English talent:
Bent (HAHA), Jenas, Lennon, Robinson, Defoe, Dawson, Huddlestone, Routledge...only Robinson has been an England regular and don't you wish he had't?
And then we have the English players talent for ASBO behaviour:
Ferdinand, Barton, Hughes, Bowyer, Dyer, Pennant, Terry
And finally Manchester United and their policy of paying top whack for the best talent. No wonder Fergie is gloating about this being his best ever quad. Throw in the foreigners and it is also the most expensive so it should be good.
Rooney, Rio, Hargreaves, Carrick, not everyone has 94 million in loose change!
Paper talk last week had Villa's Agbonlahor valued at 15 million!!! Give me van Persie at 20 % of that any day.
English players are overhyped, overpaid. No wonder Arsene doesn't bother with them ...
Tellingly no one wants them in Europe either.
Saturday, November 17, 2007
Liga Indonesia action
Just one game this weekend sees high flying Persiwa, three points clear in the Eastern Division, travel to Persekabpas who may be bottom but are no mugs at home having lost just three games all season.
Mind you in the Eastern Division no bugger has won more than three away games all season.
Persiwa have had a blinding second half to the season but 43 of their 52 points have come at home. Four of their remaining six games are away from home so it looks unlikely they will remain top for much longer if their miserable record on the road continues.
Tomorrow sees Indonesia play Syria in the irrelevant second leg of their World Cup Qualifier.
Mind you in the Eastern Division no bugger has won more than three away games all season.
Persiwa have had a blinding second half to the season but 43 of their 52 points have come at home. Four of their remaining six games are away from home so it looks unlikely they will remain top for much longer if their miserable record on the road continues.
Tomorrow sees Indonesia play Syria in the irrelevant second leg of their World Cup Qualifier.
Home and SAF as you were
Home United drew 0-0 with SAF last night at Bishan Stadium meaning we now go into the final round of fixtures with the champions unknown.
SAF are top with 76 points. Home are second with 75 while Tampines look to have blown it. They are third on 71 and must win their last two games at the same time hoping both SAF and Home lose their last game.
Crunch day is Wednesday when Home travel to Geylang while SAF host Gombak United. Today Tampines play Sengkang Punggol but it's academic.
It's too tight to call. SAF score goals for fun and have home advantage but football is a funny old game...
SAF are top with 76 points. Home are second with 75 while Tampines look to have blown it. They are third on 71 and must win their last two games at the same time hoping both SAF and Home lose their last game.
Crunch day is Wednesday when Home travel to Geylang while SAF host Gombak United. Today Tampines play Sengkang Punggol but it's academic.
It's too tight to call. SAF score goals for fun and have home advantage but football is a funny old game...
Friday, November 16, 2007
Alexander Duric, Singapore and SAF
Not been checking the Singapore press for a while but I wonder how the SAF fans are feeling having to be without their in form striker Alexander Duric for their vital end of season games?
Tonight sees SAF play Home United in what could be a title decider while Duric is with the Singapore team on World Cup duty.
Does it give Home any advantage?
Guess we'll fin out in about an hour!
Tonight sees SAF play Home United in what could be a title decider while Duric is with the Singapore team on World Cup duty.
Does it give Home any advantage?
Guess we'll fin out in about an hour!
Does Indonesia need a Liga Super?
If all goes well, and it rarely does here, Indonesian football will see a major shake up (again) next season and will adopt a single division Liga Super comprising the top 9 clubs of the current East and West Divisions.
All fine and hunky dory. The current 36 team set up is too large and some of the distances difficult to cover. There just isn’t the quality in players, officials and infrastructure to go around.
But football here is about to enter a financial crisis and it sits rabbit like staring at the headlights, unwilling to act.
Central government last year prohibited local government from funding local football. Instead of receiving grants now clubs are receiving loans that may or may not be paid back. Football is a hot potato politically because the fans who go to games have little else to do in the way of entertainment. They are reluctant to go to the malls that the middle class populate for fear of standing out. And having no money to spend. They are also a potential vote bank come election time.
Further down the line the main source of sponsorship could dry up. Indonesia will be under pressure to prevent tobacco being financially involved in sports and if that happens then it’s goodbye to the sponsors of Liga and Copa Indonesia.
What’s left is a bloody great hole that could only be filled by on the run tycoons settled safely in Singapore with their embezzled billions.
A recent club gob fest pleaded with the government to allow public funding of the sport or they would boycott competitions next year. A dafter threat is hard to dream up. If you don’t give us any money then next season we won’t play football! Instead of thinking of ways to maximize a club’s income through sponsorship, gate receipts and merchandising clubs rather stick their heads in the sand, wave their butts in the breeze and beg the government to bail them out.
There are some privately owned clubs. Arema Malang, PKT Botang, Pelita Jaya and Semen Padang. Of course it can be done. It just takes vision, foresight. All the things career bureaucrats’ lack.
Perhaps instead of having a single divison next year we should get more regionalized. It’s daft that PSMS Medan for example would have to spend something like 15,000 USD flying to Persipura in far off Papua when that money does not exist.
Financially it surely makes more sense to have Sumatran teams play Sumatran teams. Javanese teams to play Javanese teams. And Bali. Perhaps have Papua and Maluku in one division and Kalimantin with Sulawesi in another. The top 2 clubs in each division could then get together and compete in the Indonesian Champions League.
I know this contradicts the point I made earlier about insufficent resources to go round but maybe clubs could do with an all round tightening of belts. Let them concentrate on developing players and playing football, not seeing the inside of every airport in the country.
All fine and hunky dory. The current 36 team set up is too large and some of the distances difficult to cover. There just isn’t the quality in players, officials and infrastructure to go around.
But football here is about to enter a financial crisis and it sits rabbit like staring at the headlights, unwilling to act.
Central government last year prohibited local government from funding local football. Instead of receiving grants now clubs are receiving loans that may or may not be paid back. Football is a hot potato politically because the fans who go to games have little else to do in the way of entertainment. They are reluctant to go to the malls that the middle class populate for fear of standing out. And having no money to spend. They are also a potential vote bank come election time.
Further down the line the main source of sponsorship could dry up. Indonesia will be under pressure to prevent tobacco being financially involved in sports and if that happens then it’s goodbye to the sponsors of Liga and Copa Indonesia.
What’s left is a bloody great hole that could only be filled by on the run tycoons settled safely in Singapore with their embezzled billions.
A recent club gob fest pleaded with the government to allow public funding of the sport or they would boycott competitions next year. A dafter threat is hard to dream up. If you don’t give us any money then next season we won’t play football! Instead of thinking of ways to maximize a club’s income through sponsorship, gate receipts and merchandising clubs rather stick their heads in the sand, wave their butts in the breeze and beg the government to bail them out.
There are some privately owned clubs. Arema Malang, PKT Botang, Pelita Jaya and Semen Padang. Of course it can be done. It just takes vision, foresight. All the things career bureaucrats’ lack.
Perhaps instead of having a single divison next year we should get more regionalized. It’s daft that PSMS Medan for example would have to spend something like 15,000 USD flying to Persipura in far off Papua when that money does not exist.
Financially it surely makes more sense to have Sumatran teams play Sumatran teams. Javanese teams to play Javanese teams. And Bali. Perhaps have Papua and Maluku in one division and Kalimantin with Sulawesi in another. The top 2 clubs in each division could then get together and compete in the Indonesian Champions League.
Four ten team groups with each team playing home and away. Perhaps a third game at a neutral venue?
I know this contradicts the point I made earlier about insufficent resources to go round but maybe clubs could do with an all round tightening of belts. Let them concentrate on developing players and playing football, not seeing the inside of every airport in the country.
If the ultimate aim is to develop a league that can compete with the best in the region surely it's better done on a firm financial footing? There can be nothing worse than a Super Liga opening amid great fanfare then clubs finding out those long distance trips are just a flight too much.
So much time and money is tied up in travel that it makes sense to minimize that.
Pick a number
Crowd figures for the Persija v PSM Copa tie ranged from 15,000 to 25,000!
Lebuk Bulus officially holds 12,500. You pays your money, you take your choice. On the same day one source had the Persik v Persib crowd as 10,000, another was 15,000. Again Brawijaya was overflowing, it holds 20,000, apparently.
But then when the amount of money you earn isn't important because you can make up shortfalls from local government grants or loans why bother with gate receipts?
Lebuk Bulus officially holds 12,500. You pays your money, you take your choice. On the same day one source had the Persik v Persib crowd as 10,000, another was 15,000. Again Brawijaya was overflowing, it holds 20,000, apparently.
But then when the amount of money you earn isn't important because you can make up shortfalls from local government grants or loans why bother with gate receipts?
Persebaya v Bali 1-0
No surprise that Persebaya won. No surprise that Bali failed to score. The only surprise was that there was only one goal in it.
Juan scored just on half time but in the final 10 minutes before half time they could have had 4 or 5 more.
Nice looking pitch. As Emma says on a comment elsewhere the pitch there looked good.
Juan scored just on half time but in the final 10 minutes before half time they could have had 4 or 5 more.
Nice looking pitch. As Emma says on a comment elsewhere the pitch there looked good.
Thursday, November 15, 2007
And why is that, Ivan Kolev?
This comes from the ASEAN football website.
INDONESIA U23 TO FACE SYRIA
'JAKARTA (Nov 13, 2007) – The Indonesia Under-23 side, which is being prepared for the SEA Games at the end of the month, will be used to play Syria this Sunday in Damascus. With a place in the next qualifying round of the 2010 World Cup virtually out of reach following their 4-1 loss to Syria in Jakarta, the decision to use the Indonesian U23 squad has been widely accepted by the Indonesian FA (PSSI).“
It will be an official match for the U23 side and it will be a positive experience to their preparation for the SEA Games,” said Indonesia national coach Ivan Kolev.
“There might not be a target set for these players but they have to realise that they will be playing for their country and they have to play at their best.”
Kolev pointed out that part of the reason why the U23 side have been chosen ahead of the senior squad was also due to the lack of preparation of the senior team.
He said that it was obvious from the first leg in Jakarta that the senior players did not have a lot of time to prepare whereas the U23 squad have been in training since October and where they had only recently returned from a tour of Argentina.'
INDONESIA U23 TO FACE SYRIA
'JAKARTA (Nov 13, 2007) – The Indonesia Under-23 side, which is being prepared for the SEA Games at the end of the month, will be used to play Syria this Sunday in Damascus. With a place in the next qualifying round of the 2010 World Cup virtually out of reach following their 4-1 loss to Syria in Jakarta, the decision to use the Indonesian U23 squad has been widely accepted by the Indonesian FA (PSSI).“
It will be an official match for the U23 side and it will be a positive experience to their preparation for the SEA Games,” said Indonesia national coach Ivan Kolev.
“There might not be a target set for these players but they have to realise that they will be playing for their country and they have to play at their best.”
Kolev pointed out that part of the reason why the U23 side have been chosen ahead of the senior squad was also due to the lack of preparation of the senior team.
He said that it was obvious from the first leg in Jakarta that the senior players did not have a lot of time to prepare whereas the U23 squad have been in training since October and where they had only recently returned from a tour of Argentina.'
You're the coach Kolev. Why were they unprepared? Is the SEA Games the extent of Indonesia's football ambitions? Why was nothing done to prepare the full squad?
I've remarked on here plenty of times the lack of seriousness given to the national team compared to younger levels. Should we put the current crop out to pasture now? Shall we tell Budi Surdasono and his mates that sorry lads, we did nothing to support you so we're going to drop you?
And what are the plans for the national team anyway? There is the ASEAN Championships coming next year. And then what? Apalagi? Is there a vision beyond sending 15 year olds To Uruguay? When will Indonesia start playing top class international friendlies on a regular basis. Not Malaysia and Singapore ad nauseum but Australia, Japan, Saudi Arabia, Iran.
Inertia seeps from the top down and remember fans ain't stupid. Did those rows of empty seats at Bung Karno last week not tell you anything?
To be fair we shouldn't just blame Kolev. There is a gaggle of paper shuffling committees behind the scenes that breed the culture of inactivity and with so many positions going to people for who they know and not what they know any meaningful debate let alone change is as likely as a hangover free piss up.
In the meantime Indonesia slips from the top tier of ASEAN football down to the second tier alongside Laos and Cambodia.
That's better
After the disasters of Syria and PSIM I am now back to feeling all gooey after some wonderful moments in Liga and Copa Indonesia.
The Persija performance against PSM was impressive. Bambang & co., can feel disappointed they didn't put the tie to bed first time round, they had the chances. With a lot of debate around the world regarding foreigners it's worth noting Robertinho's rising learning curve and at the back Herman Abanda's impassive consistancy. Up front the all-Indonesian strike force of Bambang and Aliyudin may not get served in the bars of South Jakarta without ID but with 30 goals between them they are proof expensive imports are not always the answer.
Budi Sardosono also showed Indonesian players have the skill and know how to match the best of them. He has already reminded me of Peter Beardsley, comfortable on the ground, an eye for goal and an intelligent brain. Against Persib, the team with the best away record in the league, he showed Henryesque moments, cooly beating the keeper in one on ones. I would strongly advise every Liga Indonesia club who aspires to the highest level get their butts down to Kediri and look at the job coach Daniel Roekito has done there and see what happens behind the scenes to allow this to happen.
Christian Gonzalez may well be the player of the season and the top scorer yet again but Budi deserves all the accolades he gets...and some. He may not feature down the centre so much when Gonzalez is playing but his performance on Tuesday showed that anything foreigners can do, Indonesians can too.
Yesterday saw Pelita Jaya, Persema Malanag and a downpour disappear off my screen but not before PJ took the lead with a nicely taken goal on 28 minutes. Playing football is difficult enough when the bumpy pitches are dry. Magnify that by a factor of 10 when the playing surface is under inches of water. Add a monsoonal downpour and you can forgive teams for either a) hoofing the bloody thing or b) saying sod that for a game of football and retreating back into the dressing room.
That PJ and Persema tried to play football, and I mean short passes, quick movement, is either a credit to their coaches' ethos or proof they have no plan B. Whatever the truth the way Jerkovic controlled the ball on the 6 yard line, turned inside and slid the ball home deserves greater exposure.
Today we have Persebaya. Will we get more of the beautiful game or will cynicism rear its ugly head?
The Persija performance against PSM was impressive. Bambang & co., can feel disappointed they didn't put the tie to bed first time round, they had the chances. With a lot of debate around the world regarding foreigners it's worth noting Robertinho's rising learning curve and at the back Herman Abanda's impassive consistancy. Up front the all-Indonesian strike force of Bambang and Aliyudin may not get served in the bars of South Jakarta without ID but with 30 goals between them they are proof expensive imports are not always the answer.
Budi Sardosono also showed Indonesian players have the skill and know how to match the best of them. He has already reminded me of Peter Beardsley, comfortable on the ground, an eye for goal and an intelligent brain. Against Persib, the team with the best away record in the league, he showed Henryesque moments, cooly beating the keeper in one on ones. I would strongly advise every Liga Indonesia club who aspires to the highest level get their butts down to Kediri and look at the job coach Daniel Roekito has done there and see what happens behind the scenes to allow this to happen.
Christian Gonzalez may well be the player of the season and the top scorer yet again but Budi deserves all the accolades he gets...and some. He may not feature down the centre so much when Gonzalez is playing but his performance on Tuesday showed that anything foreigners can do, Indonesians can too.
Yesterday saw Pelita Jaya, Persema Malanag and a downpour disappear off my screen but not before PJ took the lead with a nicely taken goal on 28 minutes. Playing football is difficult enough when the bumpy pitches are dry. Magnify that by a factor of 10 when the playing surface is under inches of water. Add a monsoonal downpour and you can forgive teams for either a) hoofing the bloody thing or b) saying sod that for a game of football and retreating back into the dressing room.
That PJ and Persema tried to play football, and I mean short passes, quick movement, is either a credit to their coaches' ethos or proof they have no plan B. Whatever the truth the way Jerkovic controlled the ball on the 6 yard line, turned inside and slid the ball home deserves greater exposure.
Today we have Persebaya. Will we get more of the beautiful game or will cynicism rear its ugly head?
Copa Indonesia Quarter Finals
Sriwijaya v PSMS
Persekabpas v Persipura
Persita v Pelita Jaya
Sidoarjo v PSM/Persija
People may moan about the FA Cup back in England but here in Indonesia as we finally get down to the final 9 (!) there is a genuine excitment about what is to come.
In part because of Persija's impressive display at home to PSM on Tuesday but also for the right mix of romance and tradition.
The romance comes from Persekabpas who are having a woeful time in Western Division. They play might Persipura (all games are home and away) and will fancy their chances of a good result at home. In Papua though, it will be a different story.
Benny Dollo took Arema to consecutive finals, winning both times. Now with Persita he is striving for his own personal hat trick against Fandi Ahmad's Pelita Jaya. This could be a close affair with both sides tough to crack at home.
PSMS have no money and must be delighted at making the relatively short journey down to Palembang to face Sriwijaya. The Medan team traditionally have a strong defence, Markus' blunder for Indonesia last week notwithstanding, but are poor travellers.
Sidoarjo have been a delight this season. Inspired by Pronetto, Hilton and Jose Sebastian they have played some great attacking football and look a major threat for the Liga.
All games are home and away with dates to be reconfirmed later. PSM host Persija 25th November for the right to play Sidoarjo.
The semi finals will look something like this:
Persekabpas/Persipura v Sidoarjo/Persija/PSM
Persita/Pelita Jaya Purwakarta v PSMS/Sriwijaya
The semi finals have been booked for 11th January which, according to my wife's work calender is a Friday and may well be a holiday. The Final and 3/4 the place play off will be on 13th January. Both semis and Final are slated for Bung Karno Stadium. Hmm, the good ibus of Senayen may not be too happy at the thought of Persija playing Persita interfering with their polluting SUV's, Starbucks and look-at-me-shopping expeditions.
Persekabpas v Persipura
Persita v Pelita Jaya
Sidoarjo v PSM/Persija
People may moan about the FA Cup back in England but here in Indonesia as we finally get down to the final 9 (!) there is a genuine excitment about what is to come.
In part because of Persija's impressive display at home to PSM on Tuesday but also for the right mix of romance and tradition.
The romance comes from Persekabpas who are having a woeful time in Western Division. They play might Persipura (all games are home and away) and will fancy their chances of a good result at home. In Papua though, it will be a different story.
Benny Dollo took Arema to consecutive finals, winning both times. Now with Persita he is striving for his own personal hat trick against Fandi Ahmad's Pelita Jaya. This could be a close affair with both sides tough to crack at home.
PSMS have no money and must be delighted at making the relatively short journey down to Palembang to face Sriwijaya. The Medan team traditionally have a strong defence, Markus' blunder for Indonesia last week notwithstanding, but are poor travellers.
Sidoarjo have been a delight this season. Inspired by Pronetto, Hilton and Jose Sebastian they have played some great attacking football and look a major threat for the Liga.
All games are home and away with dates to be reconfirmed later. PSM host Persija 25th November for the right to play Sidoarjo.
The semi finals will look something like this:
Persekabpas/Persipura v Sidoarjo/Persija/PSM
Persita/Pelita Jaya Purwakarta v PSMS/Sriwijaya
The semi finals have been booked for 11th January which, according to my wife's work calender is a Friday and may well be a holiday. The Final and 3/4 the place play off will be on 13th January. Both semis and Final are slated for Bung Karno Stadium. Hmm, the good ibus of Senayen may not be too happy at the thought of Persija playing Persita interfering with their polluting SUV's, Starbucks and look-at-me-shopping expeditions.
Tampines croak
Tampines Rovers were suprisingly held last night by Gombak United at Tampines Stadium with both goals coming in the first half.
Rovers are now 4 points behind leaders SAF who play Home United on Friday. Tampines will be hoping for a draw there to keep their faint hopes of the SLeague title alive.
Rovers are now 4 points behind leaders SAF who play Home United on Friday. Tampines will be hoping for a draw there to keep their faint hopes of the SLeague title alive.
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
Sack the Mac!
Poor old Steve McLaren. England’s hapless manager has the media vultures swirling overhead preparing to pick at his corpse while he prepares for a game that ultimately be futile.
McLaren was patently not the man for the job. Every newspaper and blogger has told us this so it must be true. Fine. Sack him. Negotiate another healthy pay off and start posting Wanted ads in the Evening Standard let’s start the whole messy, undignified process again.
McLaren isn’t the problem. Part of it yes but not the full pizza. Just a slice. The numpties who appointed him are also slices in the problem. As is a lunatic media that is quick to praise and even quicker to bury. Then there is the lack of support from clubs who always find their star player is injured whenever friendlies come around. Oh yeah and Arsene Wenger is also worth a slice or two on his own.
There’s plenty of blame to be passed around, fear not if I left your slice out of my particular pizza of guilt.
If England fail to qualify for the Euro 2008 next year and sack the Mac then what? Where to find some masochist thick skinned enough to want to deal with Fleet Street’s finests’ dirt digging escapades? Don’t forget we’re the country that even pillories our relatively few successful national team coaches. Think Robson and Hoddle.
England are not as good as we like to think we are. Lampard is not a world class player and Crouch would not get in any other national squad in the world. I look at the England team and think there is nobody there I would have in my Arsenal side and I bet Wenger thinks the same. How often do you hear about foreign clubs coming in for the cream of the English crop? Hold on, I just saw a pig fly past the blue moon.
We’re the country who couldn’t see talent when it hits us in the face. Where other countries would build a team around the likes of Le Tissier, Currie and Worthington we mistrust them and question their work rate.
As the debate hots up and everyone is asked their opinion (and I offer mine without being asked) people like Steve Coppell and Gordon Brown call for affirmative action. Sorry, quotas. Regardless of quality, clubs must field a minimum number of home grown players, something Brown would never try forcing on the City. It’s cheap politics and deserves short shrift. Do you really want your team to be like Derby County?
We’re crap and we need to accept we’re crap. We also need to accept we’re crap ‘cos we put club before country. I want my team to do well, If they don’t I still want them to do well. I couldn’t give a flying duck about England. Whether Terry partners Richards or Jagger is of immense indifference to me.
Wenger, who has raised players like Sidwell, Bentley and Pennant through the ranks at Arsenal probably feels some justification in letting them go. I mean they have hardly become England regulars have they and given how thin on the ground England players are these days it says a lot about how others perceive their ability.
The worst thing that can happen is we scrape through to the Euros and we sit back and say oh yes, we’re going to win it this year. Our delusions will flood the reality and sour our memories and we will be carried along on a tide of patriotism and false dawns. Again.
Or perhaps we get through and McLaren is allowed to overhaul the rotten stinking carcass that runs our game and we can look forward to a promised land where blame is apportioned to dodgy penalties and short sighted officials.
The fact of the matter is this talk of pizza has gotten me hungry. {Stretches for the Sarpino's menu}
McLaren was patently not the man for the job. Every newspaper and blogger has told us this so it must be true. Fine. Sack him. Negotiate another healthy pay off and start posting Wanted ads in the Evening Standard let’s start the whole messy, undignified process again.
McLaren isn’t the problem. Part of it yes but not the full pizza. Just a slice. The numpties who appointed him are also slices in the problem. As is a lunatic media that is quick to praise and even quicker to bury. Then there is the lack of support from clubs who always find their star player is injured whenever friendlies come around. Oh yeah and Arsene Wenger is also worth a slice or two on his own.
There’s plenty of blame to be passed around, fear not if I left your slice out of my particular pizza of guilt.
If England fail to qualify for the Euro 2008 next year and sack the Mac then what? Where to find some masochist thick skinned enough to want to deal with Fleet Street’s finests’ dirt digging escapades? Don’t forget we’re the country that even pillories our relatively few successful national team coaches. Think Robson and Hoddle.
England are not as good as we like to think we are. Lampard is not a world class player and Crouch would not get in any other national squad in the world. I look at the England team and think there is nobody there I would have in my Arsenal side and I bet Wenger thinks the same. How often do you hear about foreign clubs coming in for the cream of the English crop? Hold on, I just saw a pig fly past the blue moon.
We’re the country who couldn’t see talent when it hits us in the face. Where other countries would build a team around the likes of Le Tissier, Currie and Worthington we mistrust them and question their work rate.
As the debate hots up and everyone is asked their opinion (and I offer mine without being asked) people like Steve Coppell and Gordon Brown call for affirmative action. Sorry, quotas. Regardless of quality, clubs must field a minimum number of home grown players, something Brown would never try forcing on the City. It’s cheap politics and deserves short shrift. Do you really want your team to be like Derby County?
We’re crap and we need to accept we’re crap. We also need to accept we’re crap ‘cos we put club before country. I want my team to do well, If they don’t I still want them to do well. I couldn’t give a flying duck about England. Whether Terry partners Richards or Jagger is of immense indifference to me.
Wenger, who has raised players like Sidwell, Bentley and Pennant through the ranks at Arsenal probably feels some justification in letting them go. I mean they have hardly become England regulars have they and given how thin on the ground England players are these days it says a lot about how others perceive their ability.
The worst thing that can happen is we scrape through to the Euros and we sit back and say oh yes, we’re going to win it this year. Our delusions will flood the reality and sour our memories and we will be carried along on a tide of patriotism and false dawns. Again.
Or perhaps we get through and McLaren is allowed to overhaul the rotten stinking carcass that runs our game and we can look forward to a promised land where blame is apportioned to dodgy penalties and short sighted officials.
The fact of the matter is this talk of pizza has gotten me hungry. {Stretches for the Sarpino's menu}
Time, time, and thrice time
Ok so we accept football is about results; the performance is secondary to the consideration of three points. But, as a football manager, shouldn’t there also be a responsibility to the future of the club?
This is what happens I believe in many European countries where you have a manager who often hangs around for eons and is in close contact with the board. And you have the coach who rounds up the balls, bibs and cones and picks the team for each game.
In England of course we do things differently. Here the manager does everything from design the training centre to deciding what the players drink after the game. Oh and sign new players, keep an eye on the youth set up, paint the crash barriers, that sort of thing.
Perhaps then we can see where the likes of Chelsea and Spurs are coming from. They install a Director of Football who is there to oversee a long term strategy and make sure the club is on the right path going forward. The coach is brought in to deal with just the first team. He is responsible only for results in the here and now and his remit extends no further.
It’s a policy that seems effective at the big teams on the continent where managers come and go and the clubs remain there and thereabouts. It provides a stabilizing force at the club and ensures the coach is a transient figure employed at the whim of results.
For Arsenal and Manchester United the manager is like a Baron in charge of a petty fiefdom. He is lord and master of all he surveys, yes he delegates but his reach his further and his word more powerful.
It’s not rocket science how successful clubs are run. Somehow within their set up they look for a stability that goes beyond a coach coming in with his mates, working a few years then leaving. There is if you look a corporate policy that extends from top to bottom. Other clubs lacking this vision struggle.
Some people would say Sam Allardyce was a successful manager at Bolton. He took a pissy team and made them a redoubtable if unspectacular part of the Premier tableau through sheer hard work on the pitch. But he did nothing about developing the club. Everything he did was geared towards the first team to the extent that when he left, as he was bound to one day, the whole thing collapse. There was nothing behind the scenes, no infrastructure, no supporting cast.
Now Bolton are playing the managerial merry go round where they appoint a new bod, he appoints his mates, they lose, they leave, they start again (hope you are keeping up with who all those leaves refer to!) and the club is no further forward than it was before.
I look at Derby and wonder how long before Billy Davies gets the chop? Like many newly promoted teams before them Derby are struggling and, as is the norm, some fans are calling for his head. Derby were never going to survive this season but what would scking Davies achieve? A meteoric climb up the table to a UEFA Cup spot perchance? Or more of the same after a slight upturn in results.
I’m not a Derby fan, I used to hate them when they had Terry Hennessey playing for them (whatever happened to bald footballers?) but surely a team that yo yo’s between the top two divisions, all the time getting Premiership TV money and parachute payments, is better than mid table mediocrity year in, year out, like Middlesbrough? Surely allowing Davies the chance to do his job. To get experienced in the Premier League, to develop strong foundations at the club benefits all Derby fans in the long run? Or is another 10 years mediocrity what the fans really desire?
He was good enough to get the club promoted. Then his name was feted. Surely he deserves the chance to learn and develop and improve the club in the top league?
This is what happens I believe in many European countries where you have a manager who often hangs around for eons and is in close contact with the board. And you have the coach who rounds up the balls, bibs and cones and picks the team for each game.
In England of course we do things differently. Here the manager does everything from design the training centre to deciding what the players drink after the game. Oh and sign new players, keep an eye on the youth set up, paint the crash barriers, that sort of thing.
Perhaps then we can see where the likes of Chelsea and Spurs are coming from. They install a Director of Football who is there to oversee a long term strategy and make sure the club is on the right path going forward. The coach is brought in to deal with just the first team. He is responsible only for results in the here and now and his remit extends no further.
It’s a policy that seems effective at the big teams on the continent where managers come and go and the clubs remain there and thereabouts. It provides a stabilizing force at the club and ensures the coach is a transient figure employed at the whim of results.
For Arsenal and Manchester United the manager is like a Baron in charge of a petty fiefdom. He is lord and master of all he surveys, yes he delegates but his reach his further and his word more powerful.
It’s not rocket science how successful clubs are run. Somehow within their set up they look for a stability that goes beyond a coach coming in with his mates, working a few years then leaving. There is if you look a corporate policy that extends from top to bottom. Other clubs lacking this vision struggle.
Some people would say Sam Allardyce was a successful manager at Bolton. He took a pissy team and made them a redoubtable if unspectacular part of the Premier tableau through sheer hard work on the pitch. But he did nothing about developing the club. Everything he did was geared towards the first team to the extent that when he left, as he was bound to one day, the whole thing collapse. There was nothing behind the scenes, no infrastructure, no supporting cast.
Now Bolton are playing the managerial merry go round where they appoint a new bod, he appoints his mates, they lose, they leave, they start again (hope you are keeping up with who all those leaves refer to!) and the club is no further forward than it was before.
I look at Derby and wonder how long before Billy Davies gets the chop? Like many newly promoted teams before them Derby are struggling and, as is the norm, some fans are calling for his head. Derby were never going to survive this season but what would scking Davies achieve? A meteoric climb up the table to a UEFA Cup spot perchance? Or more of the same after a slight upturn in results.
I’m not a Derby fan, I used to hate them when they had Terry Hennessey playing for them (whatever happened to bald footballers?) but surely a team that yo yo’s between the top two divisions, all the time getting Premiership TV money and parachute payments, is better than mid table mediocrity year in, year out, like Middlesbrough? Surely allowing Davies the chance to do his job. To get experienced in the Premier League, to develop strong foundations at the club benefits all Derby fans in the long run? Or is another 10 years mediocrity what the fans really desire?
He was good enough to get the club promoted. Then his name was feted. Surely he deserves the chance to learn and develop and improve the club in the top league?
Another Malaysian side visits Indonesia
Following on from KL's recent tour it has been announced Malaysian Premier League side Selangor PKNS will head to Malang at the beginning of December.
Arema hope to arrange a friendly with the visitors.
Very good but perhaps Indonesia should be doing more to attract the Malaysian Super League teams like Kedah and Selangor.
Still, any international friendlies can only be positive
Arema hope to arrange a friendly with the visitors.
Very good but perhaps Indonesia should be doing more to attract the Malaysian Super League teams like Kedah and Selangor.
Still, any international friendlies can only be positive
Under 23's - the chosen ones?
After playing Syria in the now meaningless World Cup Qualifier the Under 23's have arranged a couple of friendlies in Malaysia against Perlis on 23/11 and Malaysia Under 23's on 26/11.
If only the full team had been so favoured perhaps they could have put on a better showing.
If only the full team had been so favoured perhaps they could have put on a better showing.
Eastern Islands Derbies
Yesterday Persiba earned their under pressure manager Peter Butler some breathing space after beating PKT Bontang 3-1 in the Borneo Derby. Timely because the Englishman's contract apparently expires next week.
In the Papuan Derby Persiwa unsuprisingly won at home again. They beat Persipura 1-0 and have dropped just two points at home this season while on the road they are pants.
Finally spare a thought for Persib's Eka Ramdhani. Yesterday he played for Persib in Kediri. Today he must travel to the nearest airport, Solo a four hour drive, fly to Jakarta then head off to Damascus!
In the Papuan Derby Persiwa unsuprisingly won at home again. They beat Persipura 1-0 and have dropped just two points at home this season while on the road they are pants.
Finally spare a thought for Persib's Eka Ramdhani. Yesterday he played for Persib in Kediri. Today he must travel to the nearest airport, Solo a four hour drive, fly to Jakarta then head off to Damascus!
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
Meanwhile over on ESPN
Had a couple of articles published there. One had a good moan about the state of Indonesian football.
Next I have a pop at Italian thugs in uniforms and their method of solving the war on the terraces.
Tonight being Tuesday, as indeed most of today has been until now, I'm looking forward to Top Corner, the weekly highlights show about Asian football, and Football Focus.
Tonight I predict Steve MacMahon will purr about Fernando Torres' goal against Fulham, Jamie Reeves will purr about Arsenal and Shebby will wind everyone up.
Great fun!
Next I have a pop at Italian thugs in uniforms and their method of solving the war on the terraces.
Tonight being Tuesday, as indeed most of today has been until now, I'm looking forward to Top Corner, the weekly highlights show about Asian football, and Football Focus.
Tonight I predict Steve MacMahon will purr about Fernando Torres' goal against Fulham, Jamie Reeves will purr about Arsenal and Shebby will wind everyone up.
Great fun!
Persik v Persib 2-0
Just catching a few minutes of this top of the table clash and Persik maybe withot Gonzalez but Budi Sudarsono doesn't mind.
Persik are 2-0 after 55 minutes and his second was Henryesque in style. Danilo played an exqusite ball that split the defence and Budi, opening his body in the jargon of the day, effortlessy passed the ball past the onrushing keeper.
Persik go top of the Western Division a point clear of Sriwijaya with 49 points off 28 games.
Persik are 2-0 after 55 minutes and his second was Henryesque in style. Danilo played an exqusite ball that split the defence and Budi, opening his body in the jargon of the day, effortlessy passed the ball past the onrushing keeper.
Persik go top of the Western Division a point clear of Sriwijaya with 49 points off 28 games.
Persija v PSM 2-0
In a thrilling end to the first half Persija scored one and came close on two occassions. First Bambang was pulled from behind and netted the resulting penalty with all the confidence of a striker with 13 goals this season.
Seconds later he set up his strike parther Aliyudin who failed to connect with a header. Then one final effort saw Bambang foiled by the PSM keeper rushing off his line to dive at his feet.
A full stadium were still celebrating when the ref blew for half time and Persija headed for the break a goal up and looking rampant.
Second half saw more of the same with Atep prominent down the right flank.
A probing run by Argentinian import Robertinho clattered to the ground. Eventually Bambang put the free kick on the crossbar.
PSM went straight the other end and a nice chip into the box was headed just wide when perhaps it was easier to work the keeper.
Great game, great atmosphere!
On the hour mark Robertinho, having an excellent game, released Bambang but the Indonesian striker, one on one, tried to chip the keeper who stood tall and didn't commit. Bambang chipped lamely into his midriff!
A miunte later Aliyudin was released down the right flank and Bambang, sliding in at the back stick, hit the upright. It doesn't half make a change when you have two teams concentrating on playing football and attacking non stop. None of the cynical play acting and petulance that mars some games here.
Persija need another goal to have some kind of cushion. They don't travel well and PSM don't score many so a 2 or 3-0 lead will be an enormous boost going into the second leg.
The Jak laid siege on the PSM goal but the same old failings, lack of killer touch, let them down at the crucial moments. Bambang, Ismed and Aliyudin were all guilty of missed chances in quick succession.
One positive has been the performance of Robertinho. He has been unafraid to mix it, fairly, and does not seek to influence the officials by rolling around like a turtle on its shell every time he is touched.
As PSM pressed for an equaliser they left their flanks unguarded and on 83 Ismed Sofyan broke. He cross wasn't dealt with and it was Robertinho who picked his spot from 18 yards. He fully deserved it.
By the end it was difficult to believe this was the first time Persija have kicked the ball in anger since September!
Seconds later he set up his strike parther Aliyudin who failed to connect with a header. Then one final effort saw Bambang foiled by the PSM keeper rushing off his line to dive at his feet.
A full stadium were still celebrating when the ref blew for half time and Persija headed for the break a goal up and looking rampant.
Second half saw more of the same with Atep prominent down the right flank.
A probing run by Argentinian import Robertinho clattered to the ground. Eventually Bambang put the free kick on the crossbar.
PSM went straight the other end and a nice chip into the box was headed just wide when perhaps it was easier to work the keeper.
Great game, great atmosphere!
On the hour mark Robertinho, having an excellent game, released Bambang but the Indonesian striker, one on one, tried to chip the keeper who stood tall and didn't commit. Bambang chipped lamely into his midriff!
A miunte later Aliyudin was released down the right flank and Bambang, sliding in at the back stick, hit the upright. It doesn't half make a change when you have two teams concentrating on playing football and attacking non stop. None of the cynical play acting and petulance that mars some games here.
Persija need another goal to have some kind of cushion. They don't travel well and PSM don't score many so a 2 or 3-0 lead will be an enormous boost going into the second leg.
The Jak laid siege on the PSM goal but the same old failings, lack of killer touch, let them down at the crucial moments. Bambang, Ismed and Aliyudin were all guilty of missed chances in quick succession.
One positive has been the performance of Robertinho. He has been unafraid to mix it, fairly, and does not seek to influence the officials by rolling around like a turtle on its shell every time he is touched.
As PSM pressed for an equaliser they left their flanks unguarded and on 83 Ismed Sofyan broke. He cross wasn't dealt with and it was Robertinho who picked his spot from 18 yards. He fully deserved it.
By the end it was difficult to believe this was the first time Persija have kicked the ball in anger since September!
Guam and the Under 19's
Latest scores:
South Korea v Guam 28-0
Australia v Indonesia 2-0
Australia v Vietnam 2-0
South Korea v Indon 3-0
Vietnam v Indonesia 0-2
Guam v Australia 0-15
Indonesia v Guam 12-0
South Korea v Vietnam 4-1
Tomorrow Guam play Vietnam and will be hoping to keep the score below double figures
South Korea v Guam 28-0
Australia v Indonesia 2-0
Australia v Vietnam 2-0
South Korea v Indon 3-0
Vietnam v Indonesia 0-2
Guam v Australia 0-15
Indonesia v Guam 12-0
South Korea v Vietnam 4-1
Tomorrow Guam play Vietnam and will be hoping to keep the score below double figures
The Road to Damascus
It's hardly Saul and his Damascene revelation but coach Ivan Kolev has ditched the national team that performed so ineptly last week again in the first leg of their World Cup Qualifier with Syria and decided to take the Under 23's who recently spent a month in Argentina.
They leave tomorrow and Atep is going to be knackered. He's playing for Persija against PSM in the Copa Indonesia
They leave tomorrow and Atep is going to be knackered. He's playing for Persija against PSM in the Copa Indonesia
Monday, November 12, 2007
The Missing Fans
It was perhaps Birmingham's biggest game of the season, they've suffered a season in the Championship, now a chance to lord it over city rivals Aston Villa for a few months. A local derby in the truest meaning of the word where most of the fans share the same postcode.
There has to be something wrong when a local derby fails to sell out and indeed home games with Wigan and Bolton attract larger crowds. Then again even Asia's favourite club Manchester United attracted a smaller gate than their north western siblings.
Is there a message to be taken from this?
Perhaps it could be in the prices of tickets. So many, all (?) clubs now have a two tier pricing stystem in place where by tickets for the 'big' opponents cost more than tickets for 'less attractive' teams.
For Birmingham, they consider Portsmouth, and no doubt Wigan and Bolton, lesser clubs and so have seats available from 20 GBP up to 35 GBP. For yesterday's clash top priced tickets were 45 GBP.
I guess for the clubs to have 26,000 paying top whack is enough for them to spend a few hours licking their lips but again it's just another kick in the teeth for the working class fan. Why fork out 45 notes when you can see it on the TV anyway?
Football never has been just about the ticket price. Rarely do fans have the luxury (!) of living on their club's doorstep so we have to factor in travel costs and England's public transport system...you need precision planning weeks in advance to get the best deals. People eat, people drink, people have kids, kids want stuff from the club shop. That 35, 45 quid soon mounts up so what we are going to be left with is an aging middle class support who clap politely at the right moments and demand the manager gets the sack when a couple of results don't go their way.
In truth the game didn't live up/down to recent encounters and those who stayed didn't miss much, except the Villa fans, but it's still a derby, a must see game and it didn't sell out. Clubs and TV need to think about a few things like prices and times but they won't. Not for a while. Not till the likes of Arsenal, manchester United and Liverpool regularly fail to fill their stadiums.
Till then Bolton fans can rejoice in being the most popular team to visit St Andrew's so far this season!
There has to be something wrong when a local derby fails to sell out and indeed home games with Wigan and Bolton attract larger crowds. Then again even Asia's favourite club Manchester United attracted a smaller gate than their north western siblings.
Is there a message to be taken from this?
Perhaps it could be in the prices of tickets. So many, all (?) clubs now have a two tier pricing stystem in place where by tickets for the 'big' opponents cost more than tickets for 'less attractive' teams.
For Birmingham, they consider Portsmouth, and no doubt Wigan and Bolton, lesser clubs and so have seats available from 20 GBP up to 35 GBP. For yesterday's clash top priced tickets were 45 GBP.
I guess for the clubs to have 26,000 paying top whack is enough for them to spend a few hours licking their lips but again it's just another kick in the teeth for the working class fan. Why fork out 45 notes when you can see it on the TV anyway?
Football never has been just about the ticket price. Rarely do fans have the luxury (!) of living on their club's doorstep so we have to factor in travel costs and England's public transport system...you need precision planning weeks in advance to get the best deals. People eat, people drink, people have kids, kids want stuff from the club shop. That 35, 45 quid soon mounts up so what we are going to be left with is an aging middle class support who clap politely at the right moments and demand the manager gets the sack when a couple of results don't go their way.
In truth the game didn't live up/down to recent encounters and those who stayed didn't miss much, except the Villa fans, but it's still a derby, a must see game and it didn't sell out. Clubs and TV need to think about a few things like prices and times but they won't. Not for a while. Not till the likes of Arsenal, manchester United and Liverpool regularly fail to fill their stadiums.
Till then Bolton fans can rejoice in being the most popular team to visit St Andrew's so far this season!
Labels: Ticket prices TV Timings
Home United keep up the pressure
This Friday's clash is looking increasingly like the title decider following Home United's last gasp victory last night over Baleister Khalsa.
Both Home and SAF have played 31 games while SAF are a point clear and have a better goal difference.
Tampines have a game in hand and they host Gombak United on Wednesday knowing they need 3 points, no ifs, no buts. They currently sit 3rd 5 points behind leaders SAF.
Table here...
Both Home and SAF have played 31 games while SAF are a point clear and have a better goal difference.
Tampines have a game in hand and they host Gombak United on Wednesday knowing they need 3 points, no ifs, no buts. They currently sit 3rd 5 points behind leaders SAF.
Table here...
Persija v PSM
Tomorrow sees the eagerly awaited Copa Indonesia first leg tie between Persija and PSM, two of Indonesian footballs traditionally big teams.
Initially the kick off was set at 6.30 pm which was all fine and hunky dory for me but now it has reverted to a 3.30 start.
Despite the distance, PSM come from Makassar on the island of Sulawesi, the visitors won't be alone. Some fans left over the weekend and are coming by ship to Jakarta while a few of the well off ones will be jetting in for the game.
For digs the visiting fans, known as the Macz Man, will be dossing on the floors of PSM fans resident in and around Jakarta.
With this game and also Persik hosting Persib it's down to the pride of Indonesian football to put some dignity back in the game after the last few days.
Initially the kick off was set at 6.30 pm which was all fine and hunky dory for me but now it has reverted to a 3.30 start.
Despite the distance, PSM come from Makassar on the island of Sulawesi, the visitors won't be alone. Some fans left over the weekend and are coming by ship to Jakarta while a few of the well off ones will be jetting in for the game.
For digs the visiting fans, known as the Macz Man, will be dossing on the floors of PSM fans resident in and around Jakarta.
With this game and also Persik hosting Persib it's down to the pride of Indonesian football to put some dignity back in the game after the last few days.
Sunday, November 11, 2007
PSIM Yogyakarta v Persiter 1-1
Another game of shame for Indonesian football.
With Persiter awarded a penalty on 75 minutes the PSIM players walked off the pitch holding up play while they decided what to do.
The ref? The FIFA ref? He bottled it big time.
Eventually, and not until after several minutes of petulance you wouldn't see in the playground, Fabiano scored from the spot...when they actually could agree on where the spot was. While all this shit was going on the ref hid in the background.
1-0 to Persiter this game showed why you don't get many away wins in this league. The ref became an embarrasing homer, PSIM got away with blue murder while the most inoffensive challenge from Persiter was greeted with a yellow.
The game dragged on with PSIM laying siege to the visitors goal and a stronger ref would have dished out at least 1 red card. You just knew he was going to play until the home team equalised and when Bello skied from a couple of feet out we were in for a long night.
Eventually the inevitable happened and we were all put out of our misery with 106 minutes on the clock. PSIM stay rooted in the bottom half of the table and it's what they deserve.
Indonesian football, again, was the loser, this time on the battlefield of Yogyakarta.
Tuesday sees Persik play Persib. Hopefully we might get a football match.
With Persiter awarded a penalty on 75 minutes the PSIM players walked off the pitch holding up play while they decided what to do.
The ref? The FIFA ref? He bottled it big time.
Eventually, and not until after several minutes of petulance you wouldn't see in the playground, Fabiano scored from the spot...when they actually could agree on where the spot was. While all this shit was going on the ref hid in the background.
1-0 to Persiter this game showed why you don't get many away wins in this league. The ref became an embarrasing homer, PSIM got away with blue murder while the most inoffensive challenge from Persiter was greeted with a yellow.
The game dragged on with PSIM laying siege to the visitors goal and a stronger ref would have dished out at least 1 red card. You just knew he was going to play until the home team equalised and when Bello skied from a couple of feet out we were in for a long night.
Eventually the inevitable happened and we were all put out of our misery with 106 minutes on the clock. PSIM stay rooted in the bottom half of the table and it's what they deserve.
Indonesian football, again, was the loser, this time on the battlefield of Yogyakarta.
Tuesday sees Persik play Persib. Hopefully we might get a football match.
Liverpool
Saturday, November 10, 2007
Sidoarjo v Persmin 2-1 Final Score
Just off out but with a few minutes left Sidoarjo, who are near unstoppable on their own patch are 2-0 up. Once again Pranetto has been inspirational for them.
On 90 minutes some woeful keeping at a free kick allowed the wonderfully named Yongky to get a goal back.
Did you know Deltras is an acronym for Delta Putra Sidoarjo which I guess you can translate as the Sidoarjo Delta Boys.
And did you know a visitor to Sidoarjo back in 1815 described it as a beautiful village. It's changed since then and how.
Victory today puts the Deltras on top of the Eastern Division and they are in the last 8 of the Copa Indonesia. They could be a good outside bet for the Liga Indonesia 2007.
On 90 minutes some woeful keeping at a free kick allowed the wonderfully named Yongky to get a goal back.
Did you know Deltras is an acronym for Delta Putra Sidoarjo which I guess you can translate as the Sidoarjo Delta Boys.
And did you know a visitor to Sidoarjo back in 1815 described it as a beautiful village. It's changed since then and how.
Victory today puts the Deltras on top of the Eastern Division and they are in the last 8 of the Copa Indonesia. They could be a good outside bet for the Liga Indonesia 2007.
A good week in Europe
Obviously Liverpool and Manchester United got the plaudits with convincing home wins while a George Graham type Arsenal performance ensured passage to the next round.
But the real story of the week has to be Gary 'Oh my god he's not our manager is he?' Megson taking Bolton to Munchen and coming away with a wonderful result. But why be suprised? Back in 1993 Megson was on the bench when Norwich City became the first English team to beat the Germans on their own pitch.
But while European adventures maybe pleasing they do not hide the fact that to win over sceptics at Bolton, influenced by a series of copycat articles about jobs for the boys, Ginger Gaz knows that this weekend he needs to beat Middlesbough and get out of the bottom three.
Elsewhere there are a couple of cracking derbies. The Second City derby between Villa and Birmingham is nearly always a lot of fun to watch. Plenty of scything tackles, good old fashioned aggression. Maybe because many of their supporters are local but these games do seem to carry a bit of edge.
Sunderland will fancy their chances in the Tyne and Wear derby. Roy Keane recently expressed his frustration at attracting quality players to his team. His belief is that they are influenced by their wives or girlfriends who prefer the shopping of London and Manchester.
Not sure about this. Sunderland is as good as a suburb of Newcastle these days and the Barcodes seem to have little problem attracting people. Even Middlesbrough bring people in and what an eyesore that place is! (I write this as a guy who just spent 2 weeks in Hartlepool!!) His mentor Brian Clough never complained about this when he was managing Nottingham Forest and Derby. Perhaps if that is the attitude of the player then they are not worth having anyway.
Any old hows, with the Toon Army jumping on the Metro for the short journey down the road there should be a bumper crowd at the Stadium of Light and walrus Sam won't be looking forward to the encounter. Sunderland will be up for this and they realise that with away points likely to be at a premium this season it's games like this that can make, or break, their season.
Derby for once will be in the spotlight with a live game, for us in Indonesia, against West Ham. Them bloody Whammers are a frustrating bunch but with just 1 win in the last 6 Derby will be sensing a scalp at Pride Park. Certainly a few questions about the Rams will be answered today. Like who plays for them 'cos I don't have a scooby.
Mind you 1 goal in the last 6? 5 all season? It's no surprise that Derby would struggle this season but I do hope the board don't panic and give manager Billy Davies the old tin tack. It's hard enough to find young British managers as it is these days and if he was good enough to bring them up then he surely deserves some job security. No surprise he comes from Glasgow!
Sunday also sees some intriguing fixtures. Everton have been showing the right signs recently but can they continue the good form at Chelsea. Avram Grant has had a pretty easy run recently, a stubborn Everton could test his team. Hope so.
Blackburn go to Old Trafford on the back of a good run themselves with Mark Hughes picking up Manager of the Month for October. They have also won their last 3 away games by 2-1 which means Manchester United will probably win 4-0. 'Cos they always score 4 don't they? In 5 of their last 6 games they have anyway. Last time out, at Arsenal, they scored once.
God, I'm going all statto!
Portsmouth v Manchester City could also be a lot of fun. Or an absolute yawn fest. Not checking the stats!
Right, I'm off to get drunk...
But the real story of the week has to be Gary 'Oh my god he's not our manager is he?' Megson taking Bolton to Munchen and coming away with a wonderful result. But why be suprised? Back in 1993 Megson was on the bench when Norwich City became the first English team to beat the Germans on their own pitch.
But while European adventures maybe pleasing they do not hide the fact that to win over sceptics at Bolton, influenced by a series of copycat articles about jobs for the boys, Ginger Gaz knows that this weekend he needs to beat Middlesbough and get out of the bottom three.
Elsewhere there are a couple of cracking derbies. The Second City derby between Villa and Birmingham is nearly always a lot of fun to watch. Plenty of scything tackles, good old fashioned aggression. Maybe because many of their supporters are local but these games do seem to carry a bit of edge.
Sunderland will fancy their chances in the Tyne and Wear derby. Roy Keane recently expressed his frustration at attracting quality players to his team. His belief is that they are influenced by their wives or girlfriends who prefer the shopping of London and Manchester.
Not sure about this. Sunderland is as good as a suburb of Newcastle these days and the Barcodes seem to have little problem attracting people. Even Middlesbrough bring people in and what an eyesore that place is! (I write this as a guy who just spent 2 weeks in Hartlepool!!) His mentor Brian Clough never complained about this when he was managing Nottingham Forest and Derby. Perhaps if that is the attitude of the player then they are not worth having anyway.
Any old hows, with the Toon Army jumping on the Metro for the short journey down the road there should be a bumper crowd at the Stadium of Light and walrus Sam won't be looking forward to the encounter. Sunderland will be up for this and they realise that with away points likely to be at a premium this season it's games like this that can make, or break, their season.
Derby for once will be in the spotlight with a live game, for us in Indonesia, against West Ham. Them bloody Whammers are a frustrating bunch but with just 1 win in the last 6 Derby will be sensing a scalp at Pride Park. Certainly a few questions about the Rams will be answered today. Like who plays for them 'cos I don't have a scooby.
Mind you 1 goal in the last 6? 5 all season? It's no surprise that Derby would struggle this season but I do hope the board don't panic and give manager Billy Davies the old tin tack. It's hard enough to find young British managers as it is these days and if he was good enough to bring them up then he surely deserves some job security. No surprise he comes from Glasgow!
Sunday also sees some intriguing fixtures. Everton have been showing the right signs recently but can they continue the good form at Chelsea. Avram Grant has had a pretty easy run recently, a stubborn Everton could test his team. Hope so.
Blackburn go to Old Trafford on the back of a good run themselves with Mark Hughes picking up Manager of the Month for October. They have also won their last 3 away games by 2-1 which means Manchester United will probably win 4-0. 'Cos they always score 4 don't they? In 5 of their last 6 games they have anyway. Last time out, at Arsenal, they scored once.
God, I'm going all statto!
Portsmouth v Manchester City could also be a lot of fun. Or an absolute yawn fest. Not checking the stats!
Right, I'm off to get drunk...
A Chairman's Wisdom
Len Shackleton played for Sunderland in the post war period. An immensely skilled player, Len is better known today for his autobiography, The Clown Prince of Football, where he took to task the people who ran the game back then. One chapter was entitled The Average Director's Knowledge of Football and was a single blank page. Not much has changed, 50 years on.
A couple of weeks back, in a story that somewhat slipped under the radar the new West Ham owner, cookie magnet Eggert Magnusson, came out with what he no doubt that was a spiffing idea.
The Premier League, thinks the Icelandic millionaire, needs to think about scheduling games in the USA in an attempt to tap into that huge market.
What a load of old wafers! God knows how many attempts there have been to make football work there; there was Pele and the NSL, the knock on effects of hosting the World Cup in 1994 and more recently the Beckham inspired hype of 2007. Still the game is a minority sport there.
I don’t doubt clubs would relish the opportunity to cross the pond and play league games in New York, Boston or San Francisco. Chasing the Yankee Dollar would mute any doubts about the effects of such time travel and of course the TV cameras would be there, every step of the way.
There would be trifling objections of course but in the pursuit of more money who cares what people at the grass roots think? There would be questions about season tickets. Would fans receive subsidized air travel or would they just be ignored as usual? Do the Americans really want to see Bolton play Wigan live? Do English viewers want to put up with know nothing American commentators screaming about the Offense and DEfense?
Why stop at America? Singapore last week hosted the match of the season in their domestic S League between first and second. SAF played Tampines in a crunch affair with the title still nowhere near being decided and just 3,000 fans turned up. Bring Liverpool over to play Manchester United and 60,000 would fill the National Stadium.
Perhaps Unitedl could play City in Bangkok and the Manchester Derby could be played out in Sukhumvit and Ramkamhaeng. Why stop there, the Africans love English football, why leave them out? We could have the Merseyside Derby live in Lagos, Newcastle against Chelsea in Soweto and what about the FA Cup Final in Dakar?
What’s scary is no doubt some clubs may already be thinking along these lines. Overseas, sponsors would queue up to pay for the privilege of being associated with the glamour of English football, fans would queue all night for tickets and merchandise and if the fans back home miss out, no problem. The clubs could sell the TV rights and no doubt produce a special replica shirt to commemorate the event.
A couple of weeks back, in a story that somewhat slipped under the radar the new West Ham owner, cookie magnet Eggert Magnusson, came out with what he no doubt that was a spiffing idea.
The Premier League, thinks the Icelandic millionaire, needs to think about scheduling games in the USA in an attempt to tap into that huge market.
What a load of old wafers! God knows how many attempts there have been to make football work there; there was Pele and the NSL, the knock on effects of hosting the World Cup in 1994 and more recently the Beckham inspired hype of 2007. Still the game is a minority sport there.
I don’t doubt clubs would relish the opportunity to cross the pond and play league games in New York, Boston or San Francisco. Chasing the Yankee Dollar would mute any doubts about the effects of such time travel and of course the TV cameras would be there, every step of the way.
There would be trifling objections of course but in the pursuit of more money who cares what people at the grass roots think? There would be questions about season tickets. Would fans receive subsidized air travel or would they just be ignored as usual? Do the Americans really want to see Bolton play Wigan live? Do English viewers want to put up with know nothing American commentators screaming about the Offense and DEfense?
Why stop at America? Singapore last week hosted the match of the season in their domestic S League between first and second. SAF played Tampines in a crunch affair with the title still nowhere near being decided and just 3,000 fans turned up. Bring Liverpool over to play Manchester United and 60,000 would fill the National Stadium.
Perhaps Unitedl could play City in Bangkok and the Manchester Derby could be played out in Sukhumvit and Ramkamhaeng. Why stop there, the Africans love English football, why leave them out? We could have the Merseyside Derby live in Lagos, Newcastle against Chelsea in Soweto and what about the FA Cup Final in Dakar?
What’s scary is no doubt some clubs may already be thinking along these lines. Overseas, sponsors would queue up to pay for the privilege of being associated with the glamour of English football, fans would queue all night for tickets and merchandise and if the fans back home miss out, no problem. The clubs could sell the TV rights and no doubt produce a special replica shirt to commemorate the event.
The romance of the cup
While Manchester United and Chelsea attracted all the headlines with their goal feasts on Saturday afternoon one of the most eagerly awaited events on the football calendar took place somewhat away from the limelight. For traditional football fans the FA Cup 1st Round is as big as it gets. This is when the clubs from the bottom two divisions go into the hat with quaint sounding non league teams in the knowledge that just seven victories could see them at Wembley next May.
The lower division clubs realistically stand no chance of progressing as increasingly the Cup is now in the private domain of the Big 4 and the romance has been ditched in favour of cold hard cash but try telling that to Hereford United, no strangers to cup upsets themselves in the past. Their tiny Edgar Street stadium, a ground I visited with Arsenal back in 1985 on FA Cup 3rd round day, will roll out the red carpet for Leeds United, dreams of glory eclipsing the reality of Leeds current predicament. In true cup style Hereford, known as the Bulls, are playing down the tie insisting their focus is the League, where they currently lie in a play off spot one division below Leeds United.
Bournemouth, from the south coast won’t see any romance in whoever they play in the first round. With a replay pending they will have to travel wither to Farsely Celtic in West Yorkshire or Barrow which is even further north. The sands will seem a long way off for the Cherries who have their own little reputation in the cup. They beat Manchester United one year at home while in 1971 Ted MacDougall scored nine as they trounced Margate 11-0. Today they’re bottom of League One and those days seem very far off indeed. With a trip north in winter time it looks like they will have to wait a bit longer for some glory.
Then there’s team Bath against Chasetown which had me googling frantically. Team Bath are a bunch of students in full time education at Bath University and they play in the British Gas Business Football League Premier Division while a couple of years back Chasetown gave Oldham Athletic a scare while delighting their bank manager.
Cheltenham and Brighton were Georgian towns where the nobility of the time used to holiday in genteel surroundings. There will be nothing gentle when the two teams line up for FA Cup action next month with Cheltenham hoping for a morale boosting cup win to help them forget their feeble start to the season while Brighton, finalists in 1983 of course when they were just a Gordon Smith fluff away from beating Manchester United, have started well, sitting just outside the play off positions.
With 6 or 7 all non league affairs there are a few plumbers and taxi drivers out their in non league football who will be allowing themselves the big dream. A big team in the next round and a last minute winner or penalty save would catapult them into the big time and for a while the romance of the cup will be back with us.
The lower division clubs realistically stand no chance of progressing as increasingly the Cup is now in the private domain of the Big 4 and the romance has been ditched in favour of cold hard cash but try telling that to Hereford United, no strangers to cup upsets themselves in the past. Their tiny Edgar Street stadium, a ground I visited with Arsenal back in 1985 on FA Cup 3rd round day, will roll out the red carpet for Leeds United, dreams of glory eclipsing the reality of Leeds current predicament. In true cup style Hereford, known as the Bulls, are playing down the tie insisting their focus is the League, where they currently lie in a play off spot one division below Leeds United.
Bournemouth, from the south coast won’t see any romance in whoever they play in the first round. With a replay pending they will have to travel wither to Farsely Celtic in West Yorkshire or Barrow which is even further north. The sands will seem a long way off for the Cherries who have their own little reputation in the cup. They beat Manchester United one year at home while in 1971 Ted MacDougall scored nine as they trounced Margate 11-0. Today they’re bottom of League One and those days seem very far off indeed. With a trip north in winter time it looks like they will have to wait a bit longer for some glory.
Then there’s team Bath against Chasetown which had me googling frantically. Team Bath are a bunch of students in full time education at Bath University and they play in the British Gas Business Football League Premier Division while a couple of years back Chasetown gave Oldham Athletic a scare while delighting their bank manager.
Cheltenham and Brighton were Georgian towns where the nobility of the time used to holiday in genteel surroundings. There will be nothing gentle when the two teams line up for FA Cup action next month with Cheltenham hoping for a morale boosting cup win to help them forget their feeble start to the season while Brighton, finalists in 1983 of course when they were just a Gordon Smith fluff away from beating Manchester United, have started well, sitting just outside the play off positions.
With 6 or 7 all non league affairs there are a few plumbers and taxi drivers out their in non league football who will be allowing themselves the big dream. A big team in the next round and a last minute winner or penalty save would catapult them into the big time and for a while the romance of the cup will be back with us.
Other Qualifiers
Singapore beat Tajikistan 2-0 in the first leg with both goals coming from Alexander Duric. How Indonesia wish Gonzalez, Fagundez and co., were eligible for them!
Thailand were held 1-1 by Yemen away from home.
Thailand were held 1-1 by Yemen away from home.
Indonesia v Syria 1-4
Abysmal.
Lacking any midfield of note Indonesia keeled over and died against an average Syrian side. Delighted with the space in midfield Syria tore into Indonesia from the first minute and it was no surprise when they scored a second on the half hour.
Indonesia offered little in return. A twice taken penalty by Budi gave a faint glimmer of hope to the home support but right on half time Markus Horison allowed a free kick to go under his body the the Syrians were 3-1 up, game over.
Indonesia were woeful. They conceded every 50-50 ball, and most others. The midfield parted like the Red Sea for Moses and up front Bambang was a lonely figure until he was replaced by Widodo.
Syria indulged in petty timewasting that the ineffectual ref failed to deal with but make no mistake. This defeat cannot be blamed on the ref or the weather. Indonesia, lacking Syamsuddin in the midfield, offered nothing. A decent team would have mullared them.
The second leg is next Sunday.
Lacking any midfield of note Indonesia keeled over and died against an average Syrian side. Delighted with the space in midfield Syria tore into Indonesia from the first minute and it was no surprise when they scored a second on the half hour.
Indonesia offered little in return. A twice taken penalty by Budi gave a faint glimmer of hope to the home support but right on half time Markus Horison allowed a free kick to go under his body the the Syrians were 3-1 up, game over.
Indonesia were woeful. They conceded every 50-50 ball, and most others. The midfield parted like the Red Sea for Moses and up front Bambang was a lonely figure until he was replaced by Widodo.
Syria indulged in petty timewasting that the ineffectual ref failed to deal with but make no mistake. This defeat cannot be blamed on the ref or the weather. Indonesia, lacking Syamsuddin in the midfield, offered nothing. A decent team would have mullared them.
The second leg is next Sunday.
Friday, November 09, 2007
PSMS money crisis
There seems no end to PSMS's woes at the moment. A local paper yesterday detailed the players' annal salaries and while they wouldn't keep John Terry in after shave every month they do tell a tale of profligacy that should be addressed.
The highest earner at the club was Frank Seator who was reported to be earning 2000 USD a week. The same Seator who has singularly unimpressed at Persija and Sriwijaya in 2006, the same Seator who moved to Solo in the middle of this season and the same Seator who has been linked with a move to Malaysia.
Far be it for me to bemoan a players chance to earn what he can but this is taking the piss. In the last two seasons Seator, except for a current purple patch with Persis, has probably scored less than 10 goals in competitive games. What the hell are clubs doing continuing to pay him daft money when he has not been doing what he has been very well paid for?
The other high earners at the club also happen to be the foreign contingent! Meanwhile Markus Horison, international keeper, gets by on less than half of what Seator does. At the lower end of the scale there are some players, local of course, who earn 330 USD a week.
Throwing good money down the drain with no accountability is of course the purpose of local governments who fund/subsidise the game here. I don't know, maybe they get to bask in the reflected glory of all that money being burnt in the bonfires of vanity.
Persija Jakarta signed Gustavo Ortiz at the start of this season which had many fans scratching their heads. A one dimensional player who thinks he has the array of passes that make Riquelme stand out, Ortiz last season would sit on the left side of midfield and ping the ball long for de Porras last season at PSIS, rarely finding the target. He had no Plan B. Run Manu, here comes the ball.
This is who Persija signed, on a higher salary than Seator I might add. He would sit in midfield, ping the ball for Bambang and Aliyudin and roll round on the floor alot. Three times in the first half hour at home to Persita. Each time he would be carried off on a stretcher to a chorus of boos. Each time he would run sprightly back on the pitch as if nothing had happened, greeted by apathy.
Fans ain't stupid. They know when someone is trying it on. Mid season fans filled out a survey asking their opinions of how the season was progressing, who was working, who was shirking. As one they voted Ortiz out.
Time and time again the same old players go from club to club, earning more than locals and giving little in return. Good luck to them but in this, as in so many other areas, the Indonesians need to wake up. They are being bled dry while local talent stagnates. Kept in reserve by overpaid nonentities..
In the Under 16's recently Alan Martha scored four goals for Indonesia against Vietnam. I hope when his time comes he is given the opportunity to play and not consigned to the bench while some journeyman takes his place on the pitch.
The highest earner at the club was Frank Seator who was reported to be earning 2000 USD a week. The same Seator who has singularly unimpressed at Persija and Sriwijaya in 2006, the same Seator who moved to Solo in the middle of this season and the same Seator who has been linked with a move to Malaysia.
Far be it for me to bemoan a players chance to earn what he can but this is taking the piss. In the last two seasons Seator, except for a current purple patch with Persis, has probably scored less than 10 goals in competitive games. What the hell are clubs doing continuing to pay him daft money when he has not been doing what he has been very well paid for?
The other high earners at the club also happen to be the foreign contingent! Meanwhile Markus Horison, international keeper, gets by on less than half of what Seator does. At the lower end of the scale there are some players, local of course, who earn 330 USD a week.
Throwing good money down the drain with no accountability is of course the purpose of local governments who fund/subsidise the game here. I don't know, maybe they get to bask in the reflected glory of all that money being burnt in the bonfires of vanity.
Persija Jakarta signed Gustavo Ortiz at the start of this season which had many fans scratching their heads. A one dimensional player who thinks he has the array of passes that make Riquelme stand out, Ortiz last season would sit on the left side of midfield and ping the ball long for de Porras last season at PSIS, rarely finding the target. He had no Plan B. Run Manu, here comes the ball.
This is who Persija signed, on a higher salary than Seator I might add. He would sit in midfield, ping the ball for Bambang and Aliyudin and roll round on the floor alot. Three times in the first half hour at home to Persita. Each time he would be carried off on a stretcher to a chorus of boos. Each time he would run sprightly back on the pitch as if nothing had happened, greeted by apathy.
Fans ain't stupid. They know when someone is trying it on. Mid season fans filled out a survey asking their opinions of how the season was progressing, who was working, who was shirking. As one they voted Ortiz out.
Time and time again the same old players go from club to club, earning more than locals and giving little in return. Good luck to them but in this, as in so many other areas, the Indonesians need to wake up. They are being bled dry while local talent stagnates. Kept in reserve by overpaid nonentities..
In the Under 16's recently Alan Martha scored four goals for Indonesia against Vietnam. I hope when his time comes he is given the opportunity to play and not consigned to the bench while some journeyman takes his place on the pitch.
Indonesia v Syria Preview
Indonesia prepare to take on Syria tonight in a vital World Cup Qualifier while controversy continues to surround the fate of FA chairman Nurdin Halid. That story sickens me so let's just talk football.
Yesterday 78,000 tickets went on sale for tonight's match, tickets that can only be purchased from the stadium. What a farce! Oh yeah, football.
Indonesia go into tonight's game banking on a 4-3-3 with fanatical support from a packed house but have the lessons of the Asian Cup been learnt?
Without Boaz Solassa the merah putih lack anyone with the pace and technique to attack the full back and pull the ball back. In the danger area Bambang will always get goals but you wonder where the supply will come from tonight. Is there enough creativity in the midfield? Will Elie Aiboy work his socks off then fade towards the end?
Despite their sterling performances during the Asian Cup there is still a question mark over the players' stamina. Have they got what it takes to outmuscle a physically stronger Syrian side over the full 90 minutes? They did well against Saudi Arabia for 70 minutes but visibly willted in the later stages of the match. Has coach Ivan Kolev done anything about this?
Another question is how prepared are the coach and players? They have seen little game time since August and the focus on the Under 23's will have been detrimental to the cause. The future, yeah it needs working on but the boost to the nation that comes from a successful national team NOW cannot be understimated.
The Garuda haven't played a game since July's tournament which is frankly shocking.
Kolev also admitted he knew nothing about Syria and Wednesday was the first time he had seen a tape of them. He should have called Arsene Wenger!
There'll be a monster crowd tonight and an impressive atmosphere as the fans will, for a while, put the sordid Nurdin affair behind them, get behind their team. Let's hope the players match their intensity, passion and stamina.
Yesterday 78,000 tickets went on sale for tonight's match, tickets that can only be purchased from the stadium. What a farce! Oh yeah, football.
Indonesia go into tonight's game banking on a 4-3-3 with fanatical support from a packed house but have the lessons of the Asian Cup been learnt?
Without Boaz Solassa the merah putih lack anyone with the pace and technique to attack the full back and pull the ball back. In the danger area Bambang will always get goals but you wonder where the supply will come from tonight. Is there enough creativity in the midfield? Will Elie Aiboy work his socks off then fade towards the end?
Despite their sterling performances during the Asian Cup there is still a question mark over the players' stamina. Have they got what it takes to outmuscle a physically stronger Syrian side over the full 90 minutes? They did well against Saudi Arabia for 70 minutes but visibly willted in the later stages of the match. Has coach Ivan Kolev done anything about this?
Another question is how prepared are the coach and players? They have seen little game time since August and the focus on the Under 23's will have been detrimental to the cause. The future, yeah it needs working on but the boost to the nation that comes from a successful national team NOW cannot be understimated.
The Garuda haven't played a game since July's tournament which is frankly shocking.
Kolev also admitted he knew nothing about Syria and Wednesday was the first time he had seen a tape of them. He should have called Arsene Wenger!
There'll be a monster crowd tonight and an impressive atmosphere as the fans will, for a while, put the sordid Nurdin affair behind them, get behind their team. Let's hope the players match their intensity, passion and stamina.
Thursday, November 08, 2007
Australia looks East
Australian football authorities are currently discussing the idea of starting a club competition featuring the champions from Australia, the US and Japan as well as LA Galaxy.
Mooted to begin next February in Hawaii the Pan Pacific Championship will later on bring in the Mexican champions.
Unfortunately this type of competition is way beyond the countries of South East Asia at the moment. While teams from Brunei compete in the Malaysian Super League and Thai teams enter the Singapore Cup the idea of a regular Pan Asean Cup is nothing but a pipe dream.
Football needs to look at these initiatives, smell the dollars involved and ask themselves when? When can we see a regular tournamnet that brings together, for example, Urawa, Persija, Perth Glory and Selangor?
Instead what we get is Premier League teams popping over to flog some shirts and keep their sponsors happy. Persija would benefit from a competitive fixture with the likes of Urawa. When Liverpool play the Malaysian XI the hosts get little beyond the 'honour' of playing a bunch of guys on a photo shoot.
Mooted to begin next February in Hawaii the Pan Pacific Championship will later on bring in the Mexican champions.
Unfortunately this type of competition is way beyond the countries of South East Asia at the moment. While teams from Brunei compete in the Malaysian Super League and Thai teams enter the Singapore Cup the idea of a regular Pan Asean Cup is nothing but a pipe dream.
Football needs to look at these initiatives, smell the dollars involved and ask themselves when? When can we see a regular tournamnet that brings together, for example, Urawa, Persija, Perth Glory and Selangor?
Instead what we get is Premier League teams popping over to flog some shirts and keep their sponsors happy. Persija would benefit from a competitive fixture with the likes of Urawa. When Liverpool play the Malaysian XI the hosts get little beyond the 'honour' of playing a bunch of guys on a photo shoot.
Malaysian Super League
Action in the Super League kicks off 18th November with a North West Derby between reigning champions Kedah and Perlis. Penang host Pahang while Terengganu travel to Johor. Selangor have a shorter journey to Negeri Sembilan.
Perak host Brunei representatives DPMM while the other game sees Sarawak playing newly promoted PDRM (Royal Malaysian Police).
Perak host Brunei representatives DPMM while the other game sees Sarawak playing newly promoted PDRM (Royal Malaysian Police).
With the SLeague winding down I'll try and add coverage of the Super League on a regular basis. Who knows, maybe even get to a game or two!
The referee's a bar stud
One knock on effect of wall to wall TV coverage is the proliferation of ex stars now being employed to offer professional insight to what actually happens on the pitch. So pervasive are these people now that every man and his dog can converse at great length on the relative merits of 4-4-2 or 4-3-3 but everyone overlooks the importance of the players. Another effect is how often these ex players get sly digs in on the refs.
Alan Smith the other day is a case in point. There was an incident on the touch line which the ref, at ground level. Smith, with all the benefit of being in the gantry and surrounded by TV screens picked up on it straight away and in his eyes the replays should the ref got it wrong. The ref of course lacking all these luxuries had a millisecond to make a decision and, yes, get it wrong. A player gets it wrong and he was unfortunate, unsighted, having his period!
I’m sure many refs, when they were younger, kicked a ball around. You couldn’t say many players tried being a ref. it’s worth bearing that in mind next time you hear an ex pro pontificating on an officials’ performance. It’s almost like the leaving school, once the player hangs up his boots and picks up the microphone he remembers with bitterness the man in the middle and how much untold grief he dished out during his playing career.
These ex players are quick to say a ref had a stinker. Refs are mute, they have no comeback. But the mic jockeys rarely criticize one of their own do they? To do that would be to lose access to the players, perhaps his major selling point, to perhaps lose a golfing partner or even to lose a source of free tickets.
What we end up with is managers, ex players, pundits, present players all singing from the same song sheet. A team lost the game because of some dreadful reffing decisions. Forget the fact that the expensively put together forward line missed half a dozen sitters and your international keeper couldn’t catch an STD going bare back in a cheap Pattaya knocking shop. Nope, what lost you the game was an incident when the ref missed a hand ball, foul, tug because he was unsighted.
Every once in a while a pundit might say there needs to be more players becoming refs when they retire. By this they mean someone else, not them because they have punditry and golf to keep themselves busy. No, better a seasoned pro, been around a bit, knows the game. Preferably from the lower leagues. That way they are more expendable in the chase for cheap headlines.
Alan Smith the other day is a case in point. There was an incident on the touch line which the ref, at ground level. Smith, with all the benefit of being in the gantry and surrounded by TV screens picked up on it straight away and in his eyes the replays should the ref got it wrong. The ref of course lacking all these luxuries had a millisecond to make a decision and, yes, get it wrong. A player gets it wrong and he was unfortunate, unsighted, having his period!
I’m sure many refs, when they were younger, kicked a ball around. You couldn’t say many players tried being a ref. it’s worth bearing that in mind next time you hear an ex pro pontificating on an officials’ performance. It’s almost like the leaving school, once the player hangs up his boots and picks up the microphone he remembers with bitterness the man in the middle and how much untold grief he dished out during his playing career.
These ex players are quick to say a ref had a stinker. Refs are mute, they have no comeback. But the mic jockeys rarely criticize one of their own do they? To do that would be to lose access to the players, perhaps his major selling point, to perhaps lose a golfing partner or even to lose a source of free tickets.
What we end up with is managers, ex players, pundits, present players all singing from the same song sheet. A team lost the game because of some dreadful reffing decisions. Forget the fact that the expensively put together forward line missed half a dozen sitters and your international keeper couldn’t catch an STD going bare back in a cheap Pattaya knocking shop. Nope, what lost you the game was an incident when the ref missed a hand ball, foul, tug because he was unsighted.
Every once in a while a pundit might say there needs to be more players becoming refs when they retire. By this they mean someone else, not them because they have punditry and golf to keep themselves busy. No, better a seasoned pro, been around a bit, knows the game. Preferably from the lower leagues. That way they are more expendable in the chase for cheap headlines.
The impatience of fans
Perhaps these are the ramblings of a 40 something for whom the glory days of football were the 70’s and 80’s but it does seem that the fan of today is a lot more demanding and a lot less tolerant than in that era. Maybe it’s the times we live in where we demand instant gratification of our needs and any delay sends us purple with rage.
Do fans applaud opponents’ goalkeepers these days? I remember ex keeper Jimmy Rimmer always got a positive reception whenever he returned to Arsenal with Aston Villa. Peter Shilton was another one who was guaranteed a good reception, as well as the earthy banter that comes when caught with one’s trousers down with a bit on the side. It was banter and it would have the crowd in stitches. Even one time the man himself who, on being told the lady in question, her name was Tina, was in the North Bank turned round to the fans and smiled. A small gesture but appreciated by all. He was less amused when he learnt that everyone in the North Bank had enjoyed said lady’s favours!
Mention of Rimmer brings us on to players returning to old clubs. The Ashley Cole saga mirrored that of Frank Stapleton 25 years earlier. In both cases the players’ actions built up a lot of resentment on the terraces and fans do have long memories! Why do you think we can remember midweek trips to Coventry nearly 30 years ago but have no idea what we did last night?
Spurs fans never got over the loss of Sol Campbell to Arsenal but hanging effigies of the man from lamp posts was just plain sick. Today it seems that once any player moves on they run the risk of being called Judas by irate home fans who perhaps lack the long memories I mentioned earlier. Players come, players go, thus has it ever been in football.
And what’s with calling everyone scum? Historically Portsmouth fans have called Southampton fans scummers but that is a word that has deep connotations in the rivalry beween the dockside cities. Scum is a word to be reserved for particularly unpleasant members of society. Rapists, child abusers, that sort of thing. Even I refrain from calling Tottenham fans scum. Many things I call them but never scum. Perhaps we have become more desensitized to abuse and violent imagery over the years?
It took three years of tedious football before Arsenal fans, and even then not all, turned on Terry Neill. We recognized perhaps that the club wasn’t in the best of health, that losing Brady and Stapleton in successive seasons was a body blow that would take even then millions to recover from, and that Neill was one of us. He knew the Arsenal way.
Without all the phone ins, fanzines and message boards we have today there was less in the way of forums to vent our spleen and so any negative vibes were throttled early by lack of air. All we could do was not go and, well, come on. That was never going to be an option was it?
This season has given us two examples of the old and new schools of fans. Chelsea fans respond to a poor run by staying away from a Champions’ League game in embarrassingly large numbers. The people on phone in shows are panicking and the board react. I wonder what happened to those ‘Bring back the Special One’ banners?!
Liverpool however go the other way. Things may not be going as perfectly as planned but many fans, while baffled by Rafa, understand that changing horses mid stream is no good thing. They keep turning up in large numbers, all that tradition is hard to drop, and are rewarded by an 8-0 thumping of Besiktas. They know one victory doesn’t make a successful season but perhaps they appreciate, better than Chelsea fans, that there is no easy way to success and there will be pain on the road to glory.
Do fans applaud opponents’ goalkeepers these days? I remember ex keeper Jimmy Rimmer always got a positive reception whenever he returned to Arsenal with Aston Villa. Peter Shilton was another one who was guaranteed a good reception, as well as the earthy banter that comes when caught with one’s trousers down with a bit on the side. It was banter and it would have the crowd in stitches. Even one time the man himself who, on being told the lady in question, her name was Tina, was in the North Bank turned round to the fans and smiled. A small gesture but appreciated by all. He was less amused when he learnt that everyone in the North Bank had enjoyed said lady’s favours!
Mention of Rimmer brings us on to players returning to old clubs. The Ashley Cole saga mirrored that of Frank Stapleton 25 years earlier. In both cases the players’ actions built up a lot of resentment on the terraces and fans do have long memories! Why do you think we can remember midweek trips to Coventry nearly 30 years ago but have no idea what we did last night?
Spurs fans never got over the loss of Sol Campbell to Arsenal but hanging effigies of the man from lamp posts was just plain sick. Today it seems that once any player moves on they run the risk of being called Judas by irate home fans who perhaps lack the long memories I mentioned earlier. Players come, players go, thus has it ever been in football.
And what’s with calling everyone scum? Historically Portsmouth fans have called Southampton fans scummers but that is a word that has deep connotations in the rivalry beween the dockside cities. Scum is a word to be reserved for particularly unpleasant members of society. Rapists, child abusers, that sort of thing. Even I refrain from calling Tottenham fans scum. Many things I call them but never scum. Perhaps we have become more desensitized to abuse and violent imagery over the years?
It took three years of tedious football before Arsenal fans, and even then not all, turned on Terry Neill. We recognized perhaps that the club wasn’t in the best of health, that losing Brady and Stapleton in successive seasons was a body blow that would take even then millions to recover from, and that Neill was one of us. He knew the Arsenal way.
Without all the phone ins, fanzines and message boards we have today there was less in the way of forums to vent our spleen and so any negative vibes were throttled early by lack of air. All we could do was not go and, well, come on. That was never going to be an option was it?
This season has given us two examples of the old and new schools of fans. Chelsea fans respond to a poor run by staying away from a Champions’ League game in embarrassingly large numbers. The people on phone in shows are panicking and the board react. I wonder what happened to those ‘Bring back the Special One’ banners?!
Liverpool however go the other way. Things may not be going as perfectly as planned but many fans, while baffled by Rafa, understand that changing horses mid stream is no good thing. They keep turning up in large numbers, all that tradition is hard to drop, and are rewarded by an 8-0 thumping of Besiktas. They know one victory doesn’t make a successful season but perhaps they appreciate, better than Chelsea fans, that there is no easy way to success and there will be pain on the road to glory.
Wednesday, November 07, 2007
Stand up if you 8 Liverpool
I did start knocking something up this morning about Liverpool's goal fest last night but that work stuff got in the way. A bit like last night really when somehow I woke early and caught the first Pools goal from Crouch before hitting the sack again.
8-0 huh? Pretty impressive stuff at this level no matter which way you look at it.
You can forgive Rafa running down the corner shop and buying a copy of each and every newspaper, then excitedly scanning every single typed word looking for a modicum of praise. I'm not sure if he found many.
One win though does not a qualifiction make and the goateed Spaniard will be hoping for more of the same in the remaining fixtures. It's simple, Liverpool must win both games.
All Liverpool fans, and in a rough and ready survey I just carried out at work they rated third behind Manchester United and Chelsea in Indonesia, will be hoping the goals will carry over to the Premier League.
8-0 huh? Pretty impressive stuff at this level no matter which way you look at it.
You can forgive Rafa running down the corner shop and buying a copy of each and every newspaper, then excitedly scanning every single typed word looking for a modicum of praise. I'm not sure if he found many.
One win though does not a qualifiction make and the goateed Spaniard will be hoping for more of the same in the remaining fixtures. It's simple, Liverpool must win both games.
All Liverpool fans, and in a rough and ready survey I just carried out at work they rated third behind Manchester United and Chelsea in Indonesia, will be hoping the goals will carry over to the Premier League.
PSIM Yogyakarta v Persmin Minhasa
1-1.
Two goals in the first 12 minutes settled this game. Nobody moves, nothing happened, real end of season feel I guess but a win for Persmin would have put them a couple of points off 4th placed Arema.
But it never happened.
Two goals in the first 12 minutes settled this game. Nobody moves, nothing happened, real end of season feel I guess but a win for Persmin would have put them a couple of points off 4th placed Arema.
But it never happened.
Fans threaten action
Increasingly frustrated by the inertia shown by the FA over the Halid case, fans from different teams are threatening to take the issue to the streets and the courts.
Embarrassed by the actions of officials, the head of the Jakmania said that fans are not going to sit back and do nothing while Indonesian football is threatened with suspension from FIFA just because of the apathy of the officials.
Fans from PSMS, Arema, Persija, PSS and Persib are among those closely monitoring the situation. They want to imprisioned FA head Nurdin Halid replaced and a new vote taken in line with FIFA's letter I posted a few days back.
The Indonesian FA are in no hurry to take action.
Embarrassed by the actions of officials, the head of the Jakmania said that fans are not going to sit back and do nothing while Indonesian football is threatened with suspension from FIFA just because of the apathy of the officials.
Fans from PSMS, Arema, Persija, PSS and Persib are among those closely monitoring the situation. They want to imprisioned FA head Nurdin Halid replaced and a new vote taken in line with FIFA's letter I posted a few days back.
The Indonesian FA are in no hurry to take action.
PSMS Crisis
PSMS recently took their concerns to the Mayor of Medan's office. They have not been paid for a couple of months and rumours continue to swirl round football circles that the club, 5th in the Liga Indonesia and in the Copa Quarter Finals, may not survive the season.
Persib in trouble
Following on from crowd misbehaviour back in September when Persikota came town title challengers Persib have been find 4,500 USD and told to play two games 100km from Bandung. Additionally their top of the table clash with Sriwijaya must be played behind closed doors.
Persib will consider Si Jalak Harupat (Persikab), Purnawarman (Pelita Jaya) or Karawang for their games with Persitara and Persiraja.
Of course this could all change after appeal!
Persib will consider Si Jalak Harupat (Persikab), Purnawarman (Pelita Jaya) or Karawang for their games with Persitara and Persiraja.
Of course this could all change after appeal!
Cellar dwellers tie
Semen Padang and Persikota fought out a mutually pointless 1-1 draw yesterday at Padang. No one seemed either surprised or interested with only 1,500 fans bothering, a bumper crowd for SLeague title contenders Home United (!), and being the only match of the day even the camera crews didn't bother.
Home United triumph
Home kept their flickering title hopes alive in the SLeague by beating Tampines Rovers 2-0 at Bishan Stadium with a couple of second half goals.
The happiest team though will probably be SAF who remain four points clear despite having played a game more and two wins in their remaining two games would seal the title for them.
Victory for Home at Balestier on Friday would be very interesting
The happiest team though will probably be SAF who remain four points clear despite having played a game more and two wins in their remaining two games would seal the title for them.
Victory for Home at Balestier on Friday would be very interesting
Tuesday, November 06, 2007
Scottish managers
One thing that has always intrigued me is why do the Scots excel as managers? Not just in football...there are many stories of Scots running companies here in Asia back in the old colonial days.
Is it something in their genes? Or kilts?
Story here.
Is it something in their genes? Or kilts?
Story here.
Duric for Singapore
SAF goal machine Alexander Duric has been called up by Singapore for their World Cup Qualifiers with Tajikistan
Squad:
GOALKEEPERS: Lionel Lewis, Hassan Sunny, Jasper Chan.
DEFENDERS: Aide Iskandar, Noh Rahman, Precious Emuejeraye, Baihakki Khaizan, Ismail Yunos, Faizal Hamid, Daniel Bennett, Shariff Abdul Samat.
MIDFIELDERS: Shahril Ishak, Shi Jia Yi, John Wilkinson, Ridhuan Muhamad, Mustafic Fahrudin, Isa Halim.
FORWARDS: Aleksandar Duric, Agu Casmir, Indra Sahdan, Noh Alam Shah, Fazrul Nawaz, Khairul Amri.
Squad:
GOALKEEPERS: Lionel Lewis, Hassan Sunny, Jasper Chan.
DEFENDERS: Aide Iskandar, Noh Rahman, Precious Emuejeraye, Baihakki Khaizan, Ismail Yunos, Faizal Hamid, Daniel Bennett, Shariff Abdul Samat.
MIDFIELDERS: Shahril Ishak, Shi Jia Yi, John Wilkinson, Ridhuan Muhamad, Mustafic Fahrudin, Isa Halim.
FORWARDS: Aleksandar Duric, Agu Casmir, Indra Sahdan, Noh Alam Shah, Fazrul Nawaz, Khairul Amri.
Asian Cup Under 16's
Indonesia just scraped through to the Under 16's having finished joint second with Laos behind Japan. Both Indonesia and Laos won three and lost two but while Laos had by far the better goal difference Indonesia won the vital head to head.
Last night Indonesia lost 1-0 to Cambodia with a goal five minutes from the end.
Other results:
v Hong Kong 1-0
v Laos 1-0
v Japan 1-2
v Vietnam 4-1
v Cambodia 0-1
Odd, an Indonesian team struggling to score! A look at the top scorers in Liga Indonesia and you'll see most of them are foreign. All the time clubs are passing the likes of Frank Seator round like some kind of footballing merry go round nothing will improve.
Last night Indonesia lost 1-0 to Cambodia with a goal five minutes from the end.
Other results:
v Hong Kong 1-0
v Laos 1-0
v Japan 1-2
v Vietnam 4-1
v Cambodia 0-1
Odd, an Indonesian team struggling to score! A look at the top scorers in Liga Indonesia and you'll see most of them are foreign. All the time clubs are passing the likes of Frank Seator round like some kind of footballing merry go round nothing will improve.
Woodlands Wellington v SAF
2,000 fans saw SAF take another step forward to clinching the SLeague as they comfortably brushed aside Woodlands last night.
Even without Duric SAF found goals easy to come by as Masrezwan Masturi and Mustaqim Manzur went M & M between them.
Tonight sees Home host Tampines and the Warriors will be hoping for a draw. Rovers have two games in hand and are five points off the pace while Home also have two games left but are seven points behind. Anything less than three points and Home can kiss the title goodbye.
Rivetting stuff, I wish I could be there tonight, glory hunter that I am.
Even without Duric SAF found goals easy to come by as Masrezwan Masturi and Mustaqim Manzur went M & M between them.
Tonight sees Home host Tampines and the Warriors will be hoping for a draw. Rovers have two games in hand and are five points off the pace while Home also have two games left but are seven points behind. Anything less than three points and Home can kiss the title goodbye.
Rivetting stuff, I wish I could be there tonight, glory hunter that I am.
Indonesia v Syria
The FA have announced ticket prices for Friday's World Cup Qualifier with Syria
VIP West 150,000
VIP East 100,000
Category II 50,000
Category III 25,000
Category IV 15,000
Officials are hoping for a bumper crowd following the efforts of the team during the Asian Cup but with players having played little since then they could be dreaming.
It might also help if they can get the kick off right. 7pm says FIFA, 4pm says FA.
VIP West 150,000
VIP East 100,000
Category II 50,000
Category III 25,000
Category IV 15,000
Officials are hoping for a bumper crowd following the efforts of the team during the Asian Cup but with players having played little since then they could be dreaming.
It might also help if they can get the kick off right. 7pm says FIFA, 4pm says FA.
Wigan Athletic, Dave Whelan and Chris Hutchins
Let’s accept for a minute there is pressure in football management. No more perhaps than in any other management field where you are judged by your bottom line but in football exacerbated by the glare of media attention. The degrees of pressure differ for sure. For the Rochdale’s and Mansfield Town’s of this world the pressure is to survive with limited resources. For Manchester United and Arsenal it is too succeed with a cheque book. And in between there are varying shades of grey with a club’s image of itself increasing the need for results yesterday.
Then we have Wigan Athletic. If ever a job can be described as stress free it must be this one. The club from the North West of England have achieved way beyond their wildest dreams. Not only in reaching the Premier League but playing in a League Cup Final and staying in the Promised Land for three years.
Without a sugar daddy, and perhaps a more salubrious postcode, there is little more Wigan can do. Unlike their rugby league neighbours the Latics will never become a big club.
For a manager it has to be the easiest gig in town. With such low expectations a manager can afford to see the club relegated, live off the parachute payments and hope to mount a sustained push for promotion. A winning team will generate excitement in the town and among the fans and the whole place will be rocking. Better that than year after year of tedious survival in the lower reaches of the Premiership.
What the hell was Dave Whelan, the Wigan Chairman. doing then sacking Chris Hutchins? Perhaps in this way Wigan can get parity with Tottenham and Chelsea? Hutchins was a flop the last time he replaced Paul Jewell, at Bradford City, what did Whelan expect this time round? A chase for a UEFA place?
More to the point, who does Whelan expect will apply for the job? Jose perhaps or Martin Jol? Perhaps Gary Megson has yet to sign a contract at neighbours Bolton? Glenn Hoddle and George Graham are out of work as is David O’Leary?
Whelan, successful businessman that he is, could perhaps take a punt. Look for a keen, eager young English manager looking to start his career. Give him a contract with penalty clauses on both sides and tell him to build the club for the future. Invest in youth now, give him time to be relegated, give him the confidence to bounce straight back up. Give him the vision of the future and the promise of security and run with him.
This is the model Chairman Steve Gibson uses at Middlesbrough and it isn’t his fault it hasn’t worked yet. Look at Tottenham and their litany of failed foreign managers and you know no method is fool proof. But Wigan in a sense are lucky. A low profile, over achieving club who have possibly reached as far as they can for now, what has Whelan to lose?
Then we have Wigan Athletic. If ever a job can be described as stress free it must be this one. The club from the North West of England have achieved way beyond their wildest dreams. Not only in reaching the Premier League but playing in a League Cup Final and staying in the Promised Land for three years.
Without a sugar daddy, and perhaps a more salubrious postcode, there is little more Wigan can do. Unlike their rugby league neighbours the Latics will never become a big club.
For a manager it has to be the easiest gig in town. With such low expectations a manager can afford to see the club relegated, live off the parachute payments and hope to mount a sustained push for promotion. A winning team will generate excitement in the town and among the fans and the whole place will be rocking. Better that than year after year of tedious survival in the lower reaches of the Premiership.
What the hell was Dave Whelan, the Wigan Chairman. doing then sacking Chris Hutchins? Perhaps in this way Wigan can get parity with Tottenham and Chelsea? Hutchins was a flop the last time he replaced Paul Jewell, at Bradford City, what did Whelan expect this time round? A chase for a UEFA place?
More to the point, who does Whelan expect will apply for the job? Jose perhaps or Martin Jol? Perhaps Gary Megson has yet to sign a contract at neighbours Bolton? Glenn Hoddle and George Graham are out of work as is David O’Leary?
Whelan, successful businessman that he is, could perhaps take a punt. Look for a keen, eager young English manager looking to start his career. Give him a contract with penalty clauses on both sides and tell him to build the club for the future. Invest in youth now, give him time to be relegated, give him the confidence to bounce straight back up. Give him the vision of the future and the promise of security and run with him.
This is the model Chairman Steve Gibson uses at Middlesbrough and it isn’t his fault it hasn’t worked yet. Look at Tottenham and their litany of failed foreign managers and you know no method is fool proof. But Wigan in a sense are lucky. A low profile, over achieving club who have possibly reached as far as they can for now, what has Whelan to lose?
Monday, November 05, 2007
Indonesian officials visit AFC
Diplomacy sucks.
The head of the Indonesian FA is currently doing bird in a Jakarta jail and FIFA are clamouring for his replacement in new elections. Today the members of the FA at liberty visited the AFC in KL to discuss the future of their organisation in the wake of the current mess.
However read the blurb and you get the impression they just called in for a cup of tea and perhaps some roti canai.
A delegation from the Indonesian Football Association (PSSI) visited AFC House today to discuss the future road map to revise the statutes of their federation.
The Indonesian delegation, including PSSI Vice President Nirwan D. Bakrie, Dali Tahir, General Secretary Nugraha Besoes and Board Member M. Imran Hanafi, also took the opportunity to express their intention to further the Vision Asia project in Indonesia
The delegation heard AFC’s advice concerning the necessary amendments to the statutes. PSSI confirmed that they are setting up a special team to deal with the amendments to their statutes to fall in line with the FIFA Statutes.
During the meeting, AFC President Mohamed bin Hammam commented: “The statutes of PSSI must be changed to suit what is being requested. We would very much like to see model statutes for PSSI.”
PSSI also presented their first strategic plan for Vision Indonesia, a project re-launched following the successful hosting of AFC Asian Cup 2007™.
Representing AFC was President, Mohamed bin Hammam; General Secretary, Paul Money Samuel; Assistant General Secretary & Director of Marketing and Communications, Clare Kenny Tipton; and Legal Services representative Charmaine Pereira.
The head of the Indonesian FA is currently doing bird in a Jakarta jail and FIFA are clamouring for his replacement in new elections. Today the members of the FA at liberty visited the AFC in KL to discuss the future of their organisation in the wake of the current mess.
However read the blurb and you get the impression they just called in for a cup of tea and perhaps some roti canai.
A delegation from the Indonesian Football Association (PSSI) visited AFC House today to discuss the future road map to revise the statutes of their federation.
The Indonesian delegation, including PSSI Vice President Nirwan D. Bakrie, Dali Tahir, General Secretary Nugraha Besoes and Board Member M. Imran Hanafi, also took the opportunity to express their intention to further the Vision Asia project in Indonesia
The delegation heard AFC’s advice concerning the necessary amendments to the statutes. PSSI confirmed that they are setting up a special team to deal with the amendments to their statutes to fall in line with the FIFA Statutes.
During the meeting, AFC President Mohamed bin Hammam commented: “The statutes of PSSI must be changed to suit what is being requested. We would very much like to see model statutes for PSSI.”
PSSI also presented their first strategic plan for Vision Indonesia, a project re-launched following the successful hosting of AFC Asian Cup 2007™.
Representing AFC was President, Mohamed bin Hammam; General Secretary, Paul Money Samuel; Assistant General Secretary & Director of Marketing and Communications, Clare Kenny Tipton; and Legal Services representative Charmaine Pereira.
Are you an Angel?
There is a girl's only supporters club at Persija Jakarta called the Jak Angels. You get to see them often at games wearing club colours as well as jilbabs (sometimes orange!)
Tomorrow, after the Persija friendly with Africa Select, who are getting more games than anybody at the moment, there will be a get together to formalise the club.
Despite the bad press the game gets you do get a few female fans at games and they can be just as excitable as their male counterparts, though less prone to throwing plastic water bottles on the pitch.
At Persija games Jakmania club officials, including a girl, exchange scarves and shirts with visiting supporters clubs officials on the pitch before the game kicks off.
Tomorrow, after the Persija friendly with Africa Select, who are getting more games than anybody at the moment, there will be a get together to formalise the club.
Despite the bad press the game gets you do get a few female fans at games and they can be just as excitable as their male counterparts, though less prone to throwing plastic water bottles on the pitch.
At Persija games Jakmania club officials, including a girl, exchange scarves and shirts with visiting supporters clubs officials on the pitch before the game kicks off.
Indonesia in friendly shock
In front of rows of empty seats at the Bung Karno Stadium Indonesia played a friendly against an African Select and won 3-0, 2 goals from Persis striker Widodo and one from Bambang Pamungkas.
Different starting 11's in each half.
Different starting 11's in each half.
Can Home keep up?
Not long to go now in the SLeague and this week sees Home United with a couple of vital fixtures. Tomorrow they host second place Tampines in yet another must win game. Defeat would see them 5 points off the pace with just 3 games left.
Next Sunday they travel to struggling Balestier but by then it could be too late.
Tonight SAF go to Woodlands and after this game they have just 2 fixtures left.
Full table here.
Next Sunday they travel to struggling Balestier but by then it could be too late.
Tonight SAF go to Woodlands and after this game they have just 2 fixtures left.
Full table here.
Sunday, November 04, 2007
There there, Fergie
Some of the nonsense these football people come out with.
Manchester United average 75,000 fans every home game. These quotes come from www.espnstar.com and are after the 2-2 draw with Arsenal.
Ferguson believes it can be difficult for referees not to be influenced by hostile home crowds.
"It is very difficult for the referee," he said. "On our bench, we were getting terrible abuse from people two or three feet away from us."
"There is a lack of security here. It is absolutely disgraceful the abuse you and your staff take. All sorts of things are been shouted and screamed at you and there is an absolute danger here."
Dear, sweet Sir Alex, have you never ever heard the chants from your own baying masses aimed at Arsene Wenger? Have you ever stood up and condemned them? Have you ever heard Arsene himself complain about them?
I could then go on about the old days on the away terrace at Old Trafford where the more moronic members of your support in the seats just above us would gleefully throw all manner of shit in our direction while the Greater Manchester Police and the ordinary, decent supporter did nothing.
Let's face it, the record books are filled to overflowing with penalties given to the away team at your haven of solitude aren't they? Wasn't it 10 years or so between spot kicks?
Anyway if the ref was such a homer why didn't we get that penalty?
United of course have never known a referee at theirs to be influenced by hostile crowds, as if.
For a great manager he doesn't half come out with some tired old twaddle that is both infantile and insulting.
Manchester United average 75,000 fans every home game. These quotes come from www.espnstar.com and are after the 2-2 draw with Arsenal.
Ferguson believes it can be difficult for referees not to be influenced by hostile home crowds.
"It is very difficult for the referee," he said. "On our bench, we were getting terrible abuse from people two or three feet away from us."
"There is a lack of security here. It is absolutely disgraceful the abuse you and your staff take. All sorts of things are been shouted and screamed at you and there is an absolute danger here."
Dear, sweet Sir Alex, have you never ever heard the chants from your own baying masses aimed at Arsene Wenger? Have you ever stood up and condemned them? Have you ever heard Arsene himself complain about them?
I could then go on about the old days on the away terrace at Old Trafford where the more moronic members of your support in the seats just above us would gleefully throw all manner of shit in our direction while the Greater Manchester Police and the ordinary, decent supporter did nothing.
Let's face it, the record books are filled to overflowing with penalties given to the away team at your haven of solitude aren't they? Wasn't it 10 years or so between spot kicks?
Anyway if the ref was such a homer why didn't we get that penalty?
United of course have never known a referee at theirs to be influenced by hostile crowds, as if.
For a great manager he doesn't half come out with some tired old twaddle that is both infantile and insulting.
Singapore v Tajikistan
Singapore have announced details of tickets for their World Cup Qualifiers which I have copied from the SLeague site.
The FAS is pleased to announce the ticketing details for the 2010 FIFA World Cup Asian Zone qualifying round match between Singapore and Tajikistan on Friday 9 November 2007.
Ticket Pricings
§ Grandstand $20.00 (early bird ticket pricing @ $15.00)
§ Gallery - Adult $10.00 (early bird ticket pricing @ $8.00)
§ Gallery - Student $3.00 (no discount ; only applicable to Secondary & ITE students with valid concessionary passes)
FREE admission for primary school students and below.
Pre-sale will commence from 6 to 8 November 2007 (9.00am to 6.00pm) at Jalan Besar Stadium.
*Note : Early bird discount is only applicable for pre-sale.
Ticket sales on Match Day will be at the National Stadium East and West Entrances from 5.00pm onwards.
Of course no news yet about the Indonesia game with Syria. In fact the FA here have now confused matters by saying it's a 4pm kick off, not 7pm as stated by FIFA.
The FAS is pleased to announce the ticketing details for the 2010 FIFA World Cup Asian Zone qualifying round match between Singapore and Tajikistan on Friday 9 November 2007.
Ticket Pricings
§ Grandstand $20.00 (early bird ticket pricing @ $15.00)
§ Gallery - Adult $10.00 (early bird ticket pricing @ $8.00)
§ Gallery - Student $3.00 (no discount ; only applicable to Secondary & ITE students with valid concessionary passes)
FREE admission for primary school students and below.
Pre-sale will commence from 6 to 8 November 2007 (9.00am to 6.00pm) at Jalan Besar Stadium.
*Note : Early bird discount is only applicable for pre-sale.
Ticket sales on Match Day will be at the National Stadium East and West Entrances from 5.00pm onwards.
Of course no news yet about the Indonesia game with Syria. In fact the FA here have now confused matters by saying it's a 4pm kick off, not 7pm as stated by FIFA.
Blue is the colour
Yeap, Chelsea won!
English football has a new pantomime villain with Anderson, complete with Bo Derek style braids, rants and raves and rolls around guaranteed to have the opposition fans braying for his blood. The game needs people like him in the same way people need FOX News. You know exactly what you're going to get and it challenges your own assumptions. So damned camp you couldn't make it up.
A sublime reverse pass from Saha helped set up United's second goal and was the pass of the match. Disappointing from Arsenal's viewpoint was that while Adebayor worked hard, as he always does, he's not getting the rub of the green in front of goal. Bendtner is champing at the bit in the bench but you get the impression Wenger will stick with the Togo striker for a while yet.
Arsene Wenger will also be looking at Almunia who has an unnerving knack of being caught at the near post. Twice in the Champions League and yesterday he was caught out as Gallas deflected Rooney's effort goalwards. The first thing Brian Clough did when he took Nottingham Forest into the First Division back in the 1970's was sign Peter Shilton reasoning the best keepers win you points. Arsene seems less worried about the guy between the sticks, Lehmann has done a job but he could be on his way in January, while it maybe too soon for Fabianski. Unless of course he's good enough.
Arsenal celebrated like they had won a trophy and why not? United won't be happy with taking the lead twice and ending up with a point and with Chelsea picking up points neither side will be too happy with just a point.
With Carsley and Cahill back Everton have been getting some good results and two goals in the last minute against Birmingham got another three points, putting them a couple of points behind rivals Liverpool. How their fans would love it if they continue their winning ways while the Reds continue to struggle.
Liverpool remain unbeaten but now lie 7th. They are 6 points off the pace and have a decent goal difference, the second best in the division, thanks to that defeat of Derby, but you wonder when they will start winning again. Fulham next weekend perchance? But to talk about Liverpool is to follow the herd and to ignore the great job Mark Hughes is doing at Blackburn. Without flashing the cash in the manner of their more glamourous rivals Rovers have put together an impressive, hard working team built round a consistent keeper, a rock like defence, the terrier like Savage who allows Bentley and Pedersen to play while up front Roque and McCarthy perhaps could score more.
Portsmouth, on the other hand, are buzzing. They thrashed Newcastle 4-1 at St James' and have risen to 4th spot, an unfamiliar but welcome addition to the top 4. Will it last? Probably not but let's enjoy it while it lasts. While others have been getting the headlines Pompey have just played football and given their 'low profile' they operate just under the radar. And winning four straight on the road.
English football has a new pantomime villain with Anderson, complete with Bo Derek style braids, rants and raves and rolls around guaranteed to have the opposition fans braying for his blood. The game needs people like him in the same way people need FOX News. You know exactly what you're going to get and it challenges your own assumptions. So damned camp you couldn't make it up.
A sublime reverse pass from Saha helped set up United's second goal and was the pass of the match. Disappointing from Arsenal's viewpoint was that while Adebayor worked hard, as he always does, he's not getting the rub of the green in front of goal. Bendtner is champing at the bit in the bench but you get the impression Wenger will stick with the Togo striker for a while yet.
Arsene Wenger will also be looking at Almunia who has an unnerving knack of being caught at the near post. Twice in the Champions League and yesterday he was caught out as Gallas deflected Rooney's effort goalwards. The first thing Brian Clough did when he took Nottingham Forest into the First Division back in the 1970's was sign Peter Shilton reasoning the best keepers win you points. Arsene seems less worried about the guy between the sticks, Lehmann has done a job but he could be on his way in January, while it maybe too soon for Fabianski. Unless of course he's good enough.
Arsenal celebrated like they had won a trophy and why not? United won't be happy with taking the lead twice and ending up with a point and with Chelsea picking up points neither side will be too happy with just a point.
With Carsley and Cahill back Everton have been getting some good results and two goals in the last minute against Birmingham got another three points, putting them a couple of points behind rivals Liverpool. How their fans would love it if they continue their winning ways while the Reds continue to struggle.
Liverpool remain unbeaten but now lie 7th. They are 6 points off the pace and have a decent goal difference, the second best in the division, thanks to that defeat of Derby, but you wonder when they will start winning again. Fulham next weekend perchance? But to talk about Liverpool is to follow the herd and to ignore the great job Mark Hughes is doing at Blackburn. Without flashing the cash in the manner of their more glamourous rivals Rovers have put together an impressive, hard working team built round a consistent keeper, a rock like defence, the terrier like Savage who allows Bentley and Pedersen to play while up front Roque and McCarthy perhaps could score more.
Portsmouth, on the other hand, are buzzing. They thrashed Newcastle 4-1 at St James' and have risen to 4th spot, an unfamiliar but welcome addition to the top 4. Will it last? Probably not but let's enjoy it while it lasts. While others have been getting the headlines Pompey have just played football and given their 'low profile' they operate just under the radar. And winning four straight on the road.
Saturday, November 03, 2007
And the winner is ...
Another big week of fixtures in England sees Arsenal facing their second 'test' of the season as they take on Fergie's rampant United at the Emirates. Odd, why isn't it a 'test' for United? Why do only Arsenal have these 'tests'? Maybe our first few fixtures were just strolls in the park?
I don't enjoy these games, the result is all that matters for me. Living in Indonesia have the football literate people support United while the other half share Chelsea, Liverpool and Arsenal in varying numbers. Much depends on who is winning and which players have the sexiest butt at any given moment.
Defeat today for the Arsenal means work on Monday is going to be a pain in that word again as everyone will seek to mock the poor Arsenal fan. When we win it's luck, when we lose it's 'cos we're crap. I take some solace from the fact that the health centre will be kept busy if we lose as I dish out a serious of surreptitious digs and trips. Revenge is mine sayeth the Arsenal.
Liverpool travel to Blackburn knowing that everyone, including me, is having a pop at Rafa these days. With Blackburn on fire at the moment and one point ahead of Liverpool I wonder why this game isn't being called a 'test' for either team by wise pundits in the media. The Scousers have the best away record in the league and are still unbeaten while Rovers are a 'test' for any team when they are up for it. Victory for Blackburn could see them in the top 4 at the end of the day if other scores go their way. Defeat for Liverpool could well see Rafa hung, drawn and quartered by the media.
After seeing Chelsea score the most goals ever between the goalie's legs in a single game Manchester City will be glad to be back at Eastlands facing Sunderland and hoping for a simple three points. It won't be simple though. Roy Keane would have had his Sunderland players dress the reserves up in Alf-Inge Haaland masks during the week preparing for this fixture but will it be enough? City have a perfect home record and the Mackems have just a couple of draws on the road.
If Arsenal and Manchester United cancel each other out the weekend's real winners could prove to be Chelsea who have a less than daunting trip to struggling Wigan. With 10 goals in two games Avram seems to have won over the 'Bring back the Special One' brigade who foresaw the apocolypse in South West London after Jose was shown the door but then fickle fans soon forget the past when presented with a goal feast. Talking 'tests', following games against Manchester City, Middlesbrough and Bolton, The Blues next opponents are Everton (H), Derby (A), West Ham (H) and Sunderland (H). By the time Chelsea play a big team, Arsenal on the 16th December the top of the table could look very different to now. Good timing by Chelsea, ditching Jose and allowing the new bod a gentle run of fixtures to get the results and get the fans on his side.
I don't enjoy these games, the result is all that matters for me. Living in Indonesia have the football literate people support United while the other half share Chelsea, Liverpool and Arsenal in varying numbers. Much depends on who is winning and which players have the sexiest butt at any given moment.
Defeat today for the Arsenal means work on Monday is going to be a pain in that word again as everyone will seek to mock the poor Arsenal fan. When we win it's luck, when we lose it's 'cos we're crap. I take some solace from the fact that the health centre will be kept busy if we lose as I dish out a serious of surreptitious digs and trips. Revenge is mine sayeth the Arsenal.
Liverpool travel to Blackburn knowing that everyone, including me, is having a pop at Rafa these days. With Blackburn on fire at the moment and one point ahead of Liverpool I wonder why this game isn't being called a 'test' for either team by wise pundits in the media. The Scousers have the best away record in the league and are still unbeaten while Rovers are a 'test' for any team when they are up for it. Victory for Blackburn could see them in the top 4 at the end of the day if other scores go their way. Defeat for Liverpool could well see Rafa hung, drawn and quartered by the media.
After seeing Chelsea score the most goals ever between the goalie's legs in a single game Manchester City will be glad to be back at Eastlands facing Sunderland and hoping for a simple three points. It won't be simple though. Roy Keane would have had his Sunderland players dress the reserves up in Alf-Inge Haaland masks during the week preparing for this fixture but will it be enough? City have a perfect home record and the Mackems have just a couple of draws on the road.
If Arsenal and Manchester United cancel each other out the weekend's real winners could prove to be Chelsea who have a less than daunting trip to struggling Wigan. With 10 goals in two games Avram seems to have won over the 'Bring back the Special One' brigade who foresaw the apocolypse in South West London after Jose was shown the door but then fickle fans soon forget the past when presented with a goal feast. Talking 'tests', following games against Manchester City, Middlesbrough and Bolton, The Blues next opponents are Everton (H), Derby (A), West Ham (H) and Sunderland (H). By the time Chelsea play a big team, Arsenal on the 16th December the top of the table could look very different to now. Good timing by Chelsea, ditching Jose and allowing the new bod a gentle run of fixtures to get the results and get the fans on his side.
Korean players in drinking scandal
Following South Korea's shock defeat to Bahrain during the recent Asian Cup in Jakarta it has been revealed that four Korean players went on the piss.
The players caught out in this scandalous behaviour are goalkeeper Lee, Middlesbrough striker Lee Dong-Gook, Kim Sang-sik and Woo Sung-yong.
It's absolutely disgusting that players charged with representing their country during Asia's football showcase should go on the sauce in this manner and not invite me.
I was at the bloody game, went to BuGils after...why the hell didn't they get in touch?
They deserve all the punishment they get.
PS There are a couple of areas in Jakarta that are popular with Korean expats on the piss and pull, Melawi and near Dukuh Atas Station. Far be it for me it second guess where they went...bastards!
The players caught out in this scandalous behaviour are goalkeeper Lee, Middlesbrough striker Lee Dong-Gook, Kim Sang-sik and Woo Sung-yong.
It's absolutely disgusting that players charged with representing their country during Asia's football showcase should go on the sauce in this manner and not invite me.
I was at the bloody game, went to BuGils after...why the hell didn't they get in touch?
They deserve all the punishment they get.
PS There are a couple of areas in Jakarta that are popular with Korean expats on the piss and pull, Melawi and near Dukuh Atas Station. Far be it for me it second guess where they went...bastards!
Friday, November 02, 2007
Liga Indonesia this week
Persema v Persib 2-1
Persela v PSIS 0-0
Persitara v Sriwijaya 1-0
Pelita Jaya v Persik 2-0
Persmin v Persiba 2-1
Persipura v Persigi 1-0
Persiwa v Persebaya 2-0
Persipura v Persebaya 2-0
Persiwa v Persigi 4-0
Two goals by Foday helped Persiwa to yet another home win against Persiwa. Odd isn't it that Papuan teams are setting the pace in the Eastern Division. A cynic might suggest the Indonesian FA want a second team from the distant island to join the new Super Liga to cut down on the costs of clubs travelling east. A trip to Jayapura for one game would be time consuming and expensive while adding Wamena allows recovery time and economies of scale...
Stunning strike by Jerkovic saw Pelita Jaya kill off Persik yesterday. Not so sure about the celebration though, sitting down and pretending to blow a flute...
Following their routing of KLFC Persib Bandung's centre forward Zaenal Arief is now attracting the attention of the second tier Malaysian side. Why go from one of the best teams in Indonesia to a lower level club? Think big Zaenal...
Meanwhile Frank Seator guested for the Malaysians and is said to be mulling over a move back to Malaysia...
Persela v PSIS 0-0
Persitara v Sriwijaya 1-0
Pelita Jaya v Persik 2-0
Persmin v Persiba 2-1
Persipura v Persigi 1-0
Persiwa v Persebaya 2-0
Persipura v Persebaya 2-0
Persiwa v Persigi 4-0
Two goals by Foday helped Persiwa to yet another home win against Persiwa. Odd isn't it that Papuan teams are setting the pace in the Eastern Division. A cynic might suggest the Indonesian FA want a second team from the distant island to join the new Super Liga to cut down on the costs of clubs travelling east. A trip to Jayapura for one game would be time consuming and expensive while adding Wamena allows recovery time and economies of scale...
Stunning strike by Jerkovic saw Pelita Jaya kill off Persik yesterday. Not so sure about the celebration though, sitting down and pretending to blow a flute...
Following their routing of KLFC Persib Bandung's centre forward Zaenal Arief is now attracting the attention of the second tier Malaysian side. Why go from one of the best teams in Indonesia to a lower level club? Think big Zaenal...
Meanwhile Frank Seator guested for the Malaysians and is said to be mulling over a move back to Malaysia...
Thursday, November 01, 2007
World Cup Draw
9 Nov Indonesia v Syria
18 Nov Syria v Indonesia
Why did I think they were playing Oman?
Thailand play Yemen away first up while Singapore are at home to Tajikistan.
18 Nov Syria v Indonesia
Why did I think they were playing Oman?
Thailand play Yemen away first up while Singapore are at home to Tajikistan.
Drip feeding the news
Although the Liga Indonesia may be up and running again after the fasting season it’s a slow, drawn out affair with many distractions and too little football.
Much focus continues on the shenanigans, or lack thereof, at the Indonesian FA where the game’s governing body FIFA instructed new elections be held for the post of General Secretary given the incumbent is now doing bird. For the Indonesians though this is no big deal as it’s not exactly a unique situation. The great and the good often get a spell behind bars, often for politically motivated ‘crimes’ and are very well looked after they are by all accounts. Still, while the media and FIFA scream the authorities sit back in time honoured style and do zip, hoping today’s hoo haa becomes tomorrow sate ayam paper.
While these bods sit on their hands and wonder how to maintain their influence and patronage the national team are preparing for World Cup Qualifying fixtures not having played a game since the Asian Cup. The Under 16’s are competing in the Asian Cup Qualifiers, the Under 19’s likewise while the Under 23’s are preparing for the SEA Games in Thailand. With little substantive support from the apparatchiks in Senayen. On Tuesday the young Indonesians put on a credible performance eventually going down 2-1 to regional powerhouse Japan.
The Copa Indonesia is reaching its Quarter Final stage with 9 clubs battling it out. PSMS Medan, Sriwijaya, Persita, Persija, PJ Purwakarta, Persekabpas, PSM, Sidoarjo and Persipura are in the running with PSM yet to play home and away with Persija; an oft celayed tie that may see the light of day in the middle of November, subject to national team commitments, the weather and whether they can arrange cheap flights.
The costs of running a football club here have been in the news recently. I mentioned a while back it was unlikely Perseman were unlikely to travel to Palembang for the second leg of the Copa Indonesia tie with Sriwijaya and that is what happened. Now there are rumours PSMS Medan may not even finish the season with funds having dried up and the local government seemingly unwilling to open their wallets.
All very timely because next season, if all goes to plan, there will be a single division league of 18 clubs and the cost of PSMS getting to PSM Makassar or Persipura Jayapura are astronomical.
Persib fans were protesting the other day in Bandung. They marched through the city demanding a new stadium with improved facilities like toilets, canteens and prayer rooms. Persib are perhaps the savviest club in the league and their fans are behind many websites, blogs and magazines devoted to their heroes. As I reported the other day there are plans of a new stadium out there but things move painfully slowly in Indonesia.
Much focus continues on the shenanigans, or lack thereof, at the Indonesian FA where the game’s governing body FIFA instructed new elections be held for the post of General Secretary given the incumbent is now doing bird. For the Indonesians though this is no big deal as it’s not exactly a unique situation. The great and the good often get a spell behind bars, often for politically motivated ‘crimes’ and are very well looked after they are by all accounts. Still, while the media and FIFA scream the authorities sit back in time honoured style and do zip, hoping today’s hoo haa becomes tomorrow sate ayam paper.
While these bods sit on their hands and wonder how to maintain their influence and patronage the national team are preparing for World Cup Qualifying fixtures not having played a game since the Asian Cup. The Under 16’s are competing in the Asian Cup Qualifiers, the Under 19’s likewise while the Under 23’s are preparing for the SEA Games in Thailand. With little substantive support from the apparatchiks in Senayen. On Tuesday the young Indonesians put on a credible performance eventually going down 2-1 to regional powerhouse Japan.
The Copa Indonesia is reaching its Quarter Final stage with 9 clubs battling it out. PSMS Medan, Sriwijaya, Persita, Persija, PJ Purwakarta, Persekabpas, PSM, Sidoarjo and Persipura are in the running with PSM yet to play home and away with Persija; an oft celayed tie that may see the light of day in the middle of November, subject to national team commitments, the weather and whether they can arrange cheap flights.
The costs of running a football club here have been in the news recently. I mentioned a while back it was unlikely Perseman were unlikely to travel to Palembang for the second leg of the Copa Indonesia tie with Sriwijaya and that is what happened. Now there are rumours PSMS Medan may not even finish the season with funds having dried up and the local government seemingly unwilling to open their wallets.
All very timely because next season, if all goes to plan, there will be a single division league of 18 clubs and the cost of PSMS getting to PSM Makassar or Persipura Jayapura are astronomical.
Persib fans were protesting the other day in Bandung. They marched through the city demanding a new stadium with improved facilities like toilets, canteens and prayer rooms. Persib are perhaps the savviest club in the league and their fans are behind many websites, blogs and magazines devoted to their heroes. As I reported the other day there are plans of a new stadium out there but things move painfully slowly in Indonesia.
FIFA and Nurdin Halid
Nurdin Halid of course is the head of the Indonesian FA who currenty languishes in jail over corruption charges. It's a messy story and I can't be arsed going in to it but the other day FIFA had this to say about the affair.
FIFA sent a letter to the Football Association of Indonesia (PSSI) in June 2007 indicating that the association must reorganise elections, as the electoral process that took place on 20 April 2007 - the day after the ratification of the updated statutes - was not conducted in line with the timelines stipulated in the PSSI statutes. The committee ratified this decision and also decided that in accordance with the statutes, a person who has been convicted of a crime and is currently in prison would not be eligible to stand for election.
While it is good and proper that everyone who joins an association abide by the rules and statutes of said association it would be wonderful to see FIFA talk about the simulation and ill discipline that pervades here and continues to give a negative impression of the game to a wider public. The players do after all enter the pitch behind a FIFA Fair Play banner...
FIFA sent a letter to the Football Association of Indonesia (PSSI) in June 2007 indicating that the association must reorganise elections, as the electoral process that took place on 20 April 2007 - the day after the ratification of the updated statutes - was not conducted in line with the timelines stipulated in the PSSI statutes. The committee ratified this decision and also decided that in accordance with the statutes, a person who has been convicted of a crime and is currently in prison would not be eligible to stand for election.
While it is good and proper that everyone who joins an association abide by the rules and statutes of said association it would be wonderful to see FIFA talk about the simulation and ill discipline that pervades here and continues to give a negative impression of the game to a wider public. The players do after all enter the pitch behind a FIFA Fair Play banner...
Persib turn on the style
Persib Bandung, revelling playing football on a carpet like pitch at Soerang, thrashed Kuala Lumpur 5-0 yesterday in a friendly match watched by a vociferous crowd.
There needs to be more games like this. Bring in opoosition like Perth Glory, Tampines Rovers, Selangor or Chonburi to increase awareness of football not just in this country but around the region.
For the last few seasons Persija have hosted Bang Yos Emas Cup featuring teams from other countries as well as Indonesia. Bang Yos was the former Governor of Jakarta and with him now gone it remains to be seen whether the new Governor is so keen.
There needs to be more games like this. Bring in opoosition like Perth Glory, Tampines Rovers, Selangor or Chonburi to increase awareness of football not just in this country but around the region.
For the last few seasons Persija have hosted Bang Yos Emas Cup featuring teams from other countries as well as Indonesia. Bang Yos was the former Governor of Jakarta and with him now gone it remains to be seen whether the new Governor is so keen.
Lazy reporting
Why do reporters try to speak for fans? Where do they get this wonderful insight, the supporter's view, from? Could it be they spend their time in the pubs around the ground necking beer and listening in to the variety of opinions and the arguements fuelled by the beer? Do they travel on the trains and buses fans do and eavesdrop on their discussions? Or do they just revert to tired, cliche flooded drivel as they enjoythe complimentary snacks provided by clubs far from the riff raff?
Louise Taylor writes for the Guardian. One of the better papers with an excellent on line edition, I turn first to the GU for comments and blogs. Is there any excuse for a porfessional journalist regurgitating the same old nonsense months after an event. Nonsense that was nonsense first time around and continues to be nonsense now. Take this example from her report about Arsenal's Carling Cup tie at Bramall Lane.
When the going got tough there were occasions when he wasn't anywhere near the ball. When he went sulking it affected the team. Sometimes when teams got stuck in he didn't want to know. (No arguments there from anybody I think.)
Arsenal fans will disagree because he was such a fantastic player, but the proof of the pudding is in results and their team has had two years without winning anything. (Actually I, and many other I know, do agree. Henry was lacking a yard and was an intimidating presence on the pitch.)
Louise Taylor writes for the Guardian. One of the better papers with an excellent on line edition, I turn first to the GU for comments and blogs. Is there any excuse for a porfessional journalist regurgitating the same old nonsense months after an event. Nonsense that was nonsense first time around and continues to be nonsense now. Take this example from her report about Arsenal's Carling Cup tie at Bramall Lane.
When Eduardo arrived at the Emirates from Dinamo Zagreb this summer he was hyped as the "new Thierry Henry". (Perhaps by Shoot magazine) Still too busy lamenting their hero's departure (excuse me? You're speaking for who exactly?), few Arsenal fans were convinced (Oh do behave. Arsene knows you know.) but the Brazilian-born Croatia striker undid Sheffield United last night with two goals even Henry (Is it not possible to pen an article where Arsenal score goals and not mention Henry? Or even not score and not mention Henry?) would have treasured.
Alan Hansen was a masterful central defender at the heart of Liverpool's great sides in the past. A man who knows a thing or two about the game. When people say been there, done that Hansen has more than most, an elegant player appreciated by Liverpool fans and neutrals alike.
This is what he says on the BBC shortly after the game at Anfield on Sunday.
Henry was one of the greatest players to ever grace the Premiership, but when you are talking about resilience he didn't always have it.
When the going got tough there were occasions when he wasn't anywhere near the ball. When he went sulking it affected the team. Sometimes when teams got stuck in he didn't want to know. (No arguments there from anybody I think.)
Arsenal fans will disagree because he was such a fantastic player, but the proof of the pudding is in results and their team has had two years without winning anything. (Actually I, and many other I know, do agree. Henry was lacking a yard and was an intimidating presence on the pitch.)
For us, not the opponents.
Of course if we were struggling then some fans out there would be wondering why he was allowed to leave but I like to think they would be in the minority. As Hansen accurately points out 'Wenger is the master of knowing when a player is not necessarily past his best, but past his best for Arsenal, and he has done it again with Henry,' and having been with Arsene on his journey to glory since 1996 many fans also appreciate this. Leaving the Arsenal is not good for one's career.
We have moved on. It's a shame some in the media haven't appreciated that and moved on with us.
