Jakarta Casual

I guess with the SLeague title to be decided tonight, probably at Tampines Stadium, many people decided not to bother about a meaningless game between Tanjong Pagar and Hougang United. Which was a bad move when you consider Hougang are never involved in dull games.

The Big Cat Derby! Jaguars and Cheetahs at a field in Clementi that looked like the Serengeti after a herd of gnus had tried fording a river. In such atrocious conditions the two teams served up a game that was mildly interesting for the neutral and would have had coaches pulling their hair out in frustration.

Tanjong Pagar started the brighter of the two teams and had enough clear cut chances before half time to have won two games. They converted none and at the break would have gone in very frustrated with the 0-0 scoreline.

However they did, finally, take the lead early in the second half, moments after I had packed my camera away, with the MC, and his deafening speaker system, kindly informing the sparse crowd that the score was indeed 1-0. Thanks for that, we would never have known of he hadn’t told us.

Then came a rapid fire hat trick from Hougang striker Diego Oliveria and it was game over. It was the kind of hat trick that would have people reaching for the record books but the Singapore Football Association don’t believe in such nonsense (they needed to be told when Aleksander Duric had reached 300 goals in the league!).

Typical Hougang. They tease their fans, and they do have some, by going down then putting their foot on the gas and seemingly scoring for fun. Life is never dull at Hougang despite their daft nickname, The Cheetahs…Singapore’s finest football export these days are match fixers so go figure!

For the statto - if you have followed Hougang every game this season you will have seen 118 goals in 33 games (55-63). For Tanjong Pagar fans not so many. Just 98 goals in their 33!

# posted by Me @ 7:46 AM 0 comments

Indonesia is forever pushing the frontiers of the possible in football and now they have come up with something that will take some surpassing in the global community.

Persib Bandung played Semen Padang in the opening game of the Indonesia Premier League season back in the middle of October. It was the first game of the new season and, to date, the only game of the new season.

Much has happened since then including Persib deciding to leave the IPL and join the Indonesia Super League. Next Saturday they are scheduled to host Persiram in what will be their second home game of the season but their first in ISL.

Two games. Two leagues...

Now come on, you tell me another country in the world where football can reach such farcical levels…

# posted by Me @ 6:09 PM 1 comments

BUKIT JALIL: Barely four days after the country celebrated a scintillating victory in the final of the Sea Games football final in Jakarta, the Tigers suffered a reality check.

Last night at the Bukit Jalil National Stadium, the message was chilling, and yet loud and clear — that though the Sea Games gold signaled a triumph, Malaysian are still minnows when they step out of the boundaries of Southeast Asia.

Ong Kim Swee’s boys suffered a 2-0 defeat to Syria in the Olympics qualifier which virtually puts them out of the running. Japan and Syria are favourites to move on to the next round from this group.

While Malaysia seemed o have held their own in the first-half which ended in a stalemate, they were visibly tired when play resumed. Solaiman Solaiman scored the first goal for the visitors in the 52nd minute followed by Nassouh Nakkdahil two minutes before the end.

Well, if one wanted to look for a silver lining from yesterday’s game, it was this — if there was a Malaysian player Syrian coach Imad Khankan was impressed with, it was Wan Zack Haikal Wan Noor.

The KL-born lad had missed the flight to Jakarta because of an injury but was a pleasant surprise with his performance last night.

Wan Zack, however, suffered cramps towards the end of the match and was substituted by Izuan Solahuddin.

“Your number 16 (Wan Zack) was very good. He played well,” said Khankan.

“The win was very important for us… important points. We studied the Malaysian team well before the game.”

Khankan and his team picked up pointers while watching the Indonesia-Malaysia Sea Games final match on Monday.

“We know Malaysia played a tough game on Monday and the players would be tired, especially in the second-half. We took advantage and pressured the Malaysian players and we got the goals,” added Khankan.

Malaysia will take on Bahrain next at Bukit Jalil Stadium on Sunday. Syria, meanwhile, will play Japan on the same day.

Team list
Malaysia
Ahmad Fakri Saarani, Wan Zack Haikal Wan Nor (Izuan Solahuddin), Thamil Arasu Ambumamee, Zubir Azmi, Nazmi Faiz Mansor, Amer Saidin, Muslim Ahmad, Fandi Othman (Nazirul Naim Che Hashim), Mahali Jasuli, Khairul Fahmi Che Mat (GK, C), K. Gurusamy (D. Saarvindran)

# posted by Me @ 5:48 AM 1 comments

KUALA LUMPUR: National skipper Safiq Rahim will get his long overdue chance to impress at Malaysian-owned English Second Division side Cardiff City.

The 24-year-old Selangor midfielder leaves for Cardiff today with high hopes of achieving a first for Malaysian football and take his football career to new heights.

National striker Safee Sali, who now plies his trade with Pelita Jaya in the Indonesian Super League, did enough to impress Cardiff manager Malky Mackay during the two weeks he was on trial in September. Safee was even dubbed the “Malaysian Beckham” by a Welsh newspaper and is likely to be a given a second trial by Cardiff.

Safiq, known for scoring with his trademark free-kicks, was earlier scheduled to leave for Cardiff in August but it was postponed because of his commitments with Selangor in the Malaysia Cup.

He scored from a free-kick against English Premier League giants Liverpool in Malaysia’s 3-6 defeat in a friendly at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil in July.

“It is a chance that I have been waiting for. This is the best opportunity for me to show my football skills. I know it is tough but nothing is impossible. It is time for us to show that there are skilful footballers in Malaysia too,” said an excited Safiq, who captained Malaysia against Arsenal and Liverpool.

“Whatever the outcome, I hope to learn the finer points of the game during my trial at Cardiff and take my game to a higher level. Of course my dream is to become the first Malaysian to play in England.”

Cardiff is owned by Malaysian tycoon Datuk Chan Tien Ghee. He is eager to see a Malaysian playing professional football in England.

“We are glad to have Safiq in Cardiff for three weeks. He will be given the chance to train with the first team,” said Tien Ghee.

FA of Malaysia (FAM) deputy president Tengku Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah said Safiq’s trials with Cardiff “is another step in the right direction” for Malaysian footballers.

“England have the best professional football league in the world. Our players must do more to impress the coaches and managers. They must also be highly disciplined,” added Tengku Abdullah.

COMMENT - I would love to see a South East Asian player make it in England or Europe but it's gotta be because they are good enough. Not because the owner is trying to impress people back home. It ain't easy for a player from this region to get a work permit. Period. If the guys who have bought QPR and Cardiff are so keen to help local football then get involved in local football. Don't use it for cheap headlines.

# posted by Me @ 5:03 PM 4 comments

On the day Home United travel to Tampines Stadium to battle it out for the SLeague title I can reveal plans for widespread football hooliganism that could bring chaos to public transport and even see houses prices fall. A Singaporean double whammy.

While thousands of Home United fans are expected to make the journey east by bus and MRT hard core Tampines hooligans are planning to give them a hot reception at various points in their journey.

I understand an advance guard of thugs will be milling round Payar Lebar Interchange, possibly disguised as students and nuns, hoping to intercept Home fans changing trains from Bishan Interchange while another firm will be at Bedok Station, provocatively close to butter rivals Geylang United’s Bedok Stadium, waiting for any Home fans that travel via an alternative route.

Yet more Tampines hooligans, sinisterly disguised as commuters and shop workers to fool any attempts to round them up, will be hanging round the Tampines Interchange in case any Home fans travel by bus.

The hooligans hope their extensive plans will prevent any Home fans from actually entering the stadium while quick to point out that they are only planning for travelling fans using public transport. “In Away days they travelled by train, they do the same here lah,’ said one hooligan who didn’t want to be named.

Commuters and home owners in the area have expressed outrage at the possible carnage and have called on the government to do more. Wendy, 24, has an appointment at a salon in Tampines at 7pm, just before kick off but, thanks to Jakarta Casual, she has been able to reschedule. ‘It’s my friend’s wedding so it’s important I look my best,’ she explained before adding that if ‘hooligans wanted to fight the government and the MRT should lay on extra buses and trains so the rest of us ‘won’t be inconvenienced.’

Meanwhile Eugene, a 17 year old student, says the government should give football hooligans jobs ‘so they won’t cause problems in society. A big thumbs up to Jakarta Casual for making us aware of this story.’

Not all of Tampines hooligans agree with the planned trouble. A well known face, who I shall call X in case his teacher is reading this, is worried about the large number of National Servicemen who follow Home United. ‘What if I meet my captain in a fight? Could be embarrassing lah’, while another lad well known in football circles has already said he won’t be coming. He has a cold.

B though is not concerned. B, not his real name, is one of Tampines top boys, a real hard case who once submitted his homework a day late. He says the aim is to make Singapore a hub for football hooligans throughout Asia pointing to the excellent public transportation, large open spaces and world class medical facilities. He then went on to add that he won’t actually be taking part in any disturbances because he needs to prep for an important exam tomorrow at school.

In the meantime, Singapore holds its breath.

# posted by Me @ 3:52 PM 1 comments

Reports in Indonesia today suggest that Kelantan and Malaysia goalkeeper Khairul Fahmie is a target for Persib Bandung. Fahmie, who has impressed many with his performances for the national team on the way to winning the AFF Cup last year and the SEA Games earlier this week.

However his coach at Kelantan, Englishman Peter Butler, has said that Fahmie is going nowhere. Talking exclusively to Jakarta Casual he said ‘He (Fahmie) has a contract with us for this season. Kelantan is a bigger club than Persib so why would he wish to join a club which is not competing in AFC Cup’.

Butler is in his second spell in the north east of Malaysia and has previously worked in Indonesia where he coached Persiba Balikpapan. While in the oil city he helped develop I Made Wirwawn into one of the finest keepers in the country and Butler feels Fahmie would be better off staying with Kelantan ‘where he will learn more and improve.’

UPDATE - Persib coach Mamic denies he is interested in Fahmie.

# posted by Me @ 3:48 PM 0 comments

Dhaka November 21: Bangladesh national team lost Negeri Sembilan by 3-2 goals in the practice match played at the Tuanku Abdur Rahman Stadium, Malaysia on Monday.

The Malaysian premier league side went up in the 25th minute after Emmanuel scored the opener but Bangladesh midfielder Shahed scored the equalizer in the 44th minute with a placing shot off a cross of Anik.

Negeri Sembilan skipper Md. Shukur bin Adan destroyed Bangladesh scoring two goals within three minutes. Adan put his team ahead in the 63rd minute and followed with another in the 65th.

Malek, the U-19 forward reduced the margin in the 87th minute after Anik curved another neat cross from the right flank and Malek unleashed a powerful shot to score the goal.

Nikola Ilievski, the head coach of Bangladesh vowed to work hard in the defence after the match. “Negeri Sembilan is a strong side and put pressure on the defence, the defence made some mistakes and they took the advantage, however at the end of the day the result is not a bad one” said the Macedonian.

Azraai Khor Abdullah, the Negeri Sembilan coach praised Bangladesh’s effort. “Bangladesh played well but took time to settle, they grew in the confidence with the time” said Azraai.

BFF President Kazi Salahuddin was present in the ground and watched the match.

Bangladesh team will return to Dhaka on Tuesday.

# posted by Me @ 4:40 PM 0 comments

Not many of us will have experienced anything like it. There are 100,000 people in the stadium urging you on while tens of millions round the country will have their fists clenched on the edge of their seats in homes and warungs. Despite everyone being behind you it must be the loneliest walks ever.

Ahead lies the penalty box and a small white spot. Beyond that the goal with Khairul Fahmie, one of the best young keepers in the region, jumping up and down, trying to distract you. Perhaps even engaging in a bit of sledging.

The goal seems so small. Tiny white sticks, pencil thin, are dwarved by the double tier stand behind full to overflowing with fans in red and white cheering, praying, hoping.

All you have to do is put the ball past the keeper and everyone will be happy. Your team mates, disappearing behind you in the all too familiar huddle in the centre circle, will rush to pat you on the back while the supporters in and out the stadium will release enormous amounts of pent up energy. At least until the next taker.

It’s impossible to replicate that long, lonely walk in training. For Gunawan Dwi Cahyo, nothing could have prepared him for this moment. Indeed the look on his face as the camera recorded his own personal long march for You Tube and the watching millions in the region told its own story. His lips moved incessantly in silent prayer but the rest of his body seemed frozen in time. He was moving but he was giving off the distinct impression he would rather be anywhere than a football field in Jakarta about to kick a ball 12 yards.

It was Gunawan of course who had given Indonesia the lead in the first half but that was a long time ago. It had been cancelled out when sloppy defending had allowed Malaysia to equalize.

After the game Indonesian coach Rahmad Darmawan was reported to have said some of his players went missing when he called for volunteers to take penalties to decide the destiny of the SEA Games gold. If this is true then it is a shocking admission that Indonesia is still far from being a major football power in their own region.

In a nut shell, Indonesian footballers have it too easy. They are cocooned from the world; they play in a domestic league where they are big fish, on big salaries, lording it, playing Billy Big Bollocks in a small pond.

Contrast that with Malaysia. I never tire of repeating this. This Malaysia team, and the ones coming up behind them, have learnt about intimidation and pressure the hard way. They have played in Slovakia, far from their comfort zone; they have won trophies in Vientiane and Jakarta. In short they have become winners the hard way and they are stronger for it. Both physically and mentally.

And next year they will enter a team in Singapore’s SLeague. There will be no love lost there, believe me.

Meanwhile Singapore will enter a team in Malaysia’s league next season and again, taken from their comfort zone of travelling short distances on the bus after a game they will have to endure hostile crowds and unfamiliar conditions. A 12 hour trek back from Kelantan after losing in the last minute in front of a partisan crowd with the ref giving everything to your hosts does wonders for building team spirit.

Playing endless friendlies against local teams in familiar surroundings does nothing. Not when the pressure is on.

# posted by Me @ 3:49 PM 3 comments

It’s the dream final for the SEA Games. A repeat of last year’s ASEAN Cup, albeit at Under 23, today’s final between Indonesia and Malaysia will keep the organizers happy as fans queue to see the two foes go head to head for local pride.

At least 88,000 are expected to fill the Bung Karno with the vast majority hoping to see the local side win and the Malaysians humiliated. The two sides though will go into the game with different agendas.

Indonesia need a trophy. Any trophy. The football daft country has gone decades without a sniff of success and with the domestic game in disarray the sight of captain Egi Melgiansyah lifting the trophy tonight will be a massive shot in the arm for the people and the country.

Malaysia though may have their eyes, at least subconsciously, on a bigger prize. They have the SEA Games already, and the ASEAN Cup. But their eyes are fixed firmly on bigger things and once the houhah surrounding the SEA Games has faded they will be focusing on their Olympics Qualifiers against Syria and Bahrain.

With some players missing from their final line up Malaysia won’t of course allow themselves to be rolled over by their Indonesian cousins. Local pride, and football, won’t allow that. But defeat for Malaysia won’t necessarily be a disaster, not if they can move one step closer to their ultimate prize of London next year.

These boys are unlikely to be fazed by the Bung Karno full house. After all some of them played in the stadium when they won the AFF Cup last year. And having won in the group stage and played in Slovakia they are used to hostility and have overcome it in the past.

Rahmad Darmawan has no such consolation. Indeed the chances are high he will be given the reigns of the national team, a poisoned chalice if ever there was one, after the SEA Games has finished. He has been without doubt the most successful Indonesian coach of recent years winning the title with Persipura (2005) and Sriwijaya (2007) as well as a number of Cup triumphs.

But anything less than winning tonight won’t be accepted by the myopic home support who see home advantage and the power of the young Papuan players as their surest guarantee of success.

Like Malaysia RD is used to winning trophies. His players are not. At times it seems like sheer exuberance has helped them get this far and it remains to be seen whether the 1-0 defeat against Malaysia in the group stage hangs heavy in the players’ minds.

# posted by Me @ 10:02 AM 3 comments

BANGKOK POST

The Thai football team yesterday offered apologises to fans for their early exit at the SEA Games.

The squad returned home yesterday after three defeats and only one win in Group A at the biennial event.

"I apologise to our fans for our failure," said coach Prapol Pongpanich.

"I and some other officials will take a break from football for a while."

He said several players had to play for the full national side in their World Cup qualifying campaign while others got injured.

And Prapol believes there must be better management and planning before a tournament.

"I think the president of the Thai FA [Worawi Makudi] knows this problem because he watched every game at the stadium," he said.

Striker Ronnachai Rangsiyo said: "I know how the fans feel but I can assure you that everybody gave their all. We had only a short preparation period while other countries trained for a long time before the tournament."

Thailand lost to Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia and beat Cambodia at the SEA Games. It was the first time in Games history that Thailand suffered two consecutive first-round exits.

Thailand had won the football gold eight times in a row before going out in the opening round in the previous tournament in Laos in 2009.

COMMENT - sorry, I have done nothing with the structure of this story. It is just the writing style of a professional journalist where one sentence equals one paragraph.

# posted by Me @ 2:32 PM 0 comments