Jakarta Casual
Friday, August 30, 2013
Safuwan In Demand
LionsXII defender Safuwan Baharudin is a man in demand.
Reports in the TNP today suggest two Malaysian clubs have expressed an interest in signing him for next season while a Thai and Indonesian team are lurking in the background, no hints who they may be. Respect though to the Indonesian team for even knowing who Safuwan is!
The report goes onto say that a number of LionsXII players maybe moving on at the end of the season, among them Hariss Harun who has also been linked north opf the causeway, especially with big spending Johor Darul Takzim.
For the moment the whole team have a job on their hands as the team faces an unedifying exit from the Malaysia Cup after picking up just one point from their opening three group stage games.
Tomorrow night they play Perak hoping they can recover the form that has elicited so many covetous glances.
Reports in the TNP today suggest two Malaysian clubs have expressed an interest in signing him for next season while a Thai and Indonesian team are lurking in the background, no hints who they may be. Respect though to the Indonesian team for even knowing who Safuwan is!
The report goes onto say that a number of LionsXII players maybe moving on at the end of the season, among them Hariss Harun who has also been linked north opf the causeway, especially with big spending Johor Darul Takzim.
For the moment the whole team have a job on their hands as the team faces an unedifying exit from the Malaysia Cup after picking up just one point from their opening three group stage games.
Tomorrow night they play Perak hoping they can recover the form that has elicited so many covetous glances.
Stags Title Party On Hold
One of the joys, for me, of the SLeague in recent seasons has been the resurrection of clubs like Woodlands Wellington.
Former perennial wooden spoonists this season they have been a different proposition. Indeed in yers gone by Tampines Rovers woud have gone into last night game up north almost certain of the three points that would have made them champions.
But not this season. The Rams are made of sterner stuff and they went into this game just four points behind second placed Albirex Niigata.
Those who saw the game, and for some reason the SLeague have stopped giving attendances, saw a rip roaring classic that keeps the fizzy pop on ice for Tampines for at least another 24 hours.
They took the lead as champions elect are supposed to do on these ocassions, through Aleksander Duric of course but Woodlands came back when Moon Soon Ho pulled one back on 40 minutes.
Mustafic Fahruddinn restored the Stags lead with apenalty with a pen.
Second half and Woodlands equalised again, Chang Jo Yoon mking it 2-2.
With 24 minutes left Jamil Ali put Tampines back in the lead and perhaps they started dreaming the title was theirs.
It wasn't of course. Instead Shariff Allapitchay made it 3-3 with nine minutes left of a breathless game.
Tonight sees Albirex Niigata host Balestier Khalsa. A draw means Tampines can celebrate a third consecutive title
Former perennial wooden spoonists this season they have been a different proposition. Indeed in yers gone by Tampines Rovers woud have gone into last night game up north almost certain of the three points that would have made them champions.
But not this season. The Rams are made of sterner stuff and they went into this game just four points behind second placed Albirex Niigata.
Those who saw the game, and for some reason the SLeague have stopped giving attendances, saw a rip roaring classic that keeps the fizzy pop on ice for Tampines for at least another 24 hours.
They took the lead as champions elect are supposed to do on these ocassions, through Aleksander Duric of course but Woodlands came back when Moon Soon Ho pulled one back on 40 minutes.
Mustafic Fahruddinn restored the Stags lead with apenalty with a pen.
Second half and Woodlands equalised again, Chang Jo Yoon mking it 2-2.
With 24 minutes left Jamil Ali put Tampines back in the lead and perhaps they started dreaming the title was theirs.
It wasn't of course. Instead Shariff Allapitchay made it 3-3 with nine minutes left of a breathless game.
Tonight sees Albirex Niigata host Balestier Khalsa. A draw means Tampines can celebrate a third consecutive title
The Race For 3rd Place
Conventional wisdom has it that the end of the season sees clubs pulling out all stops to finish as best they can.
In Indonesia the Super League was finished so long ago most can't remember but there are still a number of clubs in the mix for second place which could after all earn a place in the AFC Cup.
Persib don't seem so keen though. Despite holding on to second place they have picked up just one point from their last two games, hardly the form of a team with things tngs to play for.
Sriwijaya are pretty much aping Persib's form. They drew 2-2 at home to Mitra Kukar earlier, another team in the mix, and compunded that by managing to lose 3-1 t home to Persisam for whom Lancine Kone netted a brace.
With three points separating Persib, Arema, Mitra Kukar and Sriwijaya things look pretty even but then Arema will be turning sumersaults down there in Malang after Persib and Sriwjaya sliped up.. They sit third and still have two games in hand.
Second place is almost going to fall in their lap with little effort expended on their part.
In Indonesia the Super League was finished so long ago most can't remember but there are still a number of clubs in the mix for second place which could after all earn a place in the AFC Cup.
Persib don't seem so keen though. Despite holding on to second place they have picked up just one point from their last two games, hardly the form of a team with things tngs to play for.
Sriwijaya are pretty much aping Persib's form. They drew 2-2 at home to Mitra Kukar earlier, another team in the mix, and compunded that by managing to lose 3-1 t home to Persisam for whom Lancine Kone netted a brace.
With three points separating Persib, Arema, Mitra Kukar and Sriwijaya things look pretty even but then Arema will be turning sumersaults down there in Malang after Persib and Sriwjaya sliped up.. They sit third and still have two games in hand.
Second place is almost going to fall in their lap with little effort expended on their part.
Thursday, August 29, 2013
Indonesia's El Classico Ends All Square
Persija v Persib was finally played in Sleman, way down in Yogyakarta and despite the distance from the respective teams' homebases a more than healthy 20,000 turned up for the fun and games.
And no doubt there were some fun and games with the ref stopping play for a bit during the first half!
Persija, whose fans are used to long trips for home games, took the lead midway through the first half through M Ilham and Persib were left waiting for Sergio Van Dijk to rescue them in the second half with the 21st of a very successful debut season in Indonesia.
Probably the best result for security officials there, Persib will be ruing yet more lost points after losing their last home game, one point from six is poor return for a team chasing second place in the Indonesia Super League.
They currently hold second place but Arema are just a point behind them and have two games in hand
And no doubt there were some fun and games with the ref stopping play for a bit during the first half!
Persija, whose fans are used to long trips for home games, took the lead midway through the first half through M Ilham and Persib were left waiting for Sergio Van Dijk to rescue them in the second half with the 21st of a very successful debut season in Indonesia.
Probably the best result for security officials there, Persib will be ruing yet more lost points after losing their last home game, one point from six is poor return for a team chasing second place in the Indonesia Super League.
They currently hold second place but Arema are just a point behind them and have two games in hand
Ramdani Saves Tanjong Blushes
Tanjong Pagar missed out on the opportunity to go second after being held at home by Geylang International.
Shotaro Ihata had given the visitors the lead just after the hour mark before Kamel Ramdani equalised in the last minute with his 10th goal of the season.
The draw leave Tanjong Pagar two points behind second placed Albirex Niigata who play Balestier Khalsa on Friday
Shotaro Ihata had given the visitors the lead just after the hour mark before Kamel Ramdani equalised in the last minute with his 10th goal of the season.
The draw leave Tanjong Pagar two points behind second placed Albirex Niigata who play Balestier Khalsa on Friday
Bontang Quit IPL
Bontang have announced they are going to withdraw from the Indonesia Premier League.
The club from East Kalimantan, a six hour drive from the nearest airport, are currently 13th in the 16 team league with just four wins and a draw all season.
The league has been rife with rumours all season once it was announced it would end this year with suggestions it would not start again after the mid season break; something that happened in its debut season.
Bontang have said their withdrawal was because of a lack of clarity over rules especially walkovers, when teams no show, and with the future unclear they are preferring to save their cash for next season.
In typical cack handed style the first the actual players seem to have heard of the news was when it was announced in the media.
The PSSI have said they want to meet with Bontang to discuss their wishes as well as the organizers of the IPL.
The club from East Kalimantan, a six hour drive from the nearest airport, are currently 13th in the 16 team league with just four wins and a draw all season.
The league has been rife with rumours all season once it was announced it would end this year with suggestions it would not start again after the mid season break; something that happened in its debut season.
Bontang have said their withdrawal was because of a lack of clarity over rules especially walkovers, when teams no show, and with the future unclear they are preferring to save their cash for next season.
In typical cack handed style the first the actual players seem to have heard of the news was when it was announced in the media.
The PSSI have said they want to meet with Bontang to discuss their wishes as well as the organizers of the IPL.
Wednesday, August 28, 2013
LionsXII Struggling In Malaysia Cup
Halfway through the group stages and already LionsXII, Super League champions, and mighty Selangor are struggling while the likes of Sime Darby and PKNS are blazing a trail, latter very much through the goals of Patrick Wleh.
Next round comes this weekend.
Sime Darby v Selangor 3-0 (Karlo Primorac 2, Fazrul Hazli)
Johor v ATM 3-3 (Ezaidy Khadar,Farid Ideris, OG; Shukor Adan, Marlon Alex James)
1 - Sime Darby 3 2 0 1 8-5 6
2 - Johor 3 1 2 0 5-4 5
3 - ATM 3 1 1 1 9-9 4
4 - Selangor 3 0 1 2 2-6 1
T Team v Johor Darul Takzim 2-3 (Ahmad Syamim Yahya, Fauzan Abdullah; Hadin Azma, Safee Sali, Norshahrul Idlan Talaha)
PKNS v Felda United 2-0 (Patrick Wleh Ronaldinho 2)
1 - PKNS 3 3 0 0 5-0 9
2 - Johor DT 3 2 0 1 4-4 6
3 - T Team 3 1 0 2 3-4 3
4 - Felda United 3 0 0 3 0-4 0
Negeri Sembilan v Kelantan 1-1 (Leandro Barbosa Fabio; Dickson Nwaekaeme)
Pahang v Terengganu 1-1 (Mathias Conti; Ashaari Samsuddin)
1 - Pahang 3 1 2 0 7-5 5
2 - Kelantan 3 1 2 0 4-2 5
3 - Negeri Sembilan 3 1 1 1 6-6 0
4 - Terengganu 3 0 1 2 1-5 1
Kedah v Sarawak 0-0
Perak v LionsXII 1-0 (Azlan Ismail)
1 - Perak 3 2 1 0 4-2 7
2 - Sarawak 3 1 1 1 3-3 4
3 - Kedah 3 0 3 0 3-3 3
4 - LionsXII 3 0 1 2 3-5 1
Next round comes this weekend.
Sime Darby v Selangor 3-0 (Karlo Primorac 2, Fazrul Hazli)
Johor v ATM 3-3 (Ezaidy Khadar,Farid Ideris, OG; Shukor Adan, Marlon Alex James)
1 - Sime Darby 3 2 0 1 8-5 6
2 - Johor 3 1 2 0 5-4 5
3 - ATM 3 1 1 1 9-9 4
4 - Selangor 3 0 1 2 2-6 1
T Team v Johor Darul Takzim 2-3 (Ahmad Syamim Yahya, Fauzan Abdullah; Hadin Azma, Safee Sali, Norshahrul Idlan Talaha)
PKNS v Felda United 2-0 (Patrick Wleh Ronaldinho 2)
1 - PKNS 3 3 0 0 5-0 9
2 - Johor DT 3 2 0 1 4-4 6
3 - T Team 3 1 0 2 3-4 3
4 - Felda United 3 0 0 3 0-4 0
Negeri Sembilan v Kelantan 1-1 (Leandro Barbosa Fabio; Dickson Nwaekaeme)
Pahang v Terengganu 1-1 (Mathias Conti; Ashaari Samsuddin)
1 - Pahang 3 1 2 0 7-5 5
2 - Kelantan 3 1 2 0 4-2 5
3 - Negeri Sembilan 3 1 1 1 6-6 0
4 - Terengganu 3 0 1 2 1-5 1
Kedah v Sarawak 0-0
Perak v LionsXII 1-0 (Azlan Ismail)
1 - Perak 3 2 1 0 4-2 7
2 - Sarawak 3 1 1 1 3-3 4
3 - Kedah 3 0 3 0 3-3 3
4 - LionsXII 3 0 1 2 3-5 1
Tuesday, August 27, 2013
Australia Joins ASEAN Football Federation
DILI (27 Aug 2013) – The Football Federation
Australia (FFA) were admitted as a full member to the ASEAN Football
Federation (AFF) following an AFF Extraordinary Congress in Dili, Timor
Leste yesterday.
FFA’s admission – decided by way of a unanimous vote by the 11 Member Associations of AFF – will enable Australian National Teams to participate in AFF competitions and ensure Australia enjoys full political membership of the regional body.
“Timor Leste was the last member to be admitted into the AFF, so it is only fitting that we are all here for this proud nation to pass the baton to Australia” said His Royal Highness Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah, the President of the AFF.
Added David Gallop, the FFA General Secretary and CEO: “FFA is honoured to be admitted to the ASEAN Football Federation. We look forward to being an active member, and to contributing to the ongoing development and success of football in our region.”
The decision was welcomed by Lt General Dato’ Azzuddin Ahmad, General Secretary of AFF. “FFA today joins the other 11 countries of AFF as an equal, and we look forward to working closely with Australia in the years to come”, said Dato’ Azzuddin.
Australia is currently participating in the AFF U16 Boys Championships in Myanmar, and will also compete in the AFF Women’s Championships and AFF Futsal Championships later this year.
The membership comes on the eve of an important milestone in the countdown to the AFC Asian Cup Australia 2015.
“Tomorrow will mark 500 days to go until the Asian Cup comes to Australian shores. As a member of AFF, we will do our upmost to do ASEAN, and indeed all of Asia, proud,” said Gallop.
COMMENT - good or bad news? Presently the Socceroos compete in the East Asian Football Federation Championships against teams like Japan, South Korea and China and that would appear to be their level.
Will they forego the EAFF to compete in the AFF in the future? At what benefit to them is the question that springs out. To field a B team of A League players because the internationals from Europe and those playing in Asia won't be falling over backwards to compete in what is, outside of the region, a tin pot tournament.
And will the Aussies be able to curb their natural brashness and abrasiveness. You only had to hear the coach of the cricket team whining recently about English players cheating during the failed ashes series to see how the fair dinkkum possums react when things don't go their way!
Ian Botham and co can brush that kind of whining off but here in a more sensitive part of the world will they be so forgiving? Or will it be seen as overpowering white guys looking down on the rest?
So, yep, difficult to see what is in it for everyone really. With the focus for now in Asia on AFC Asian Cup qualifiers and, regionally, the SEA Games I guess we play a waiting game.
FFA’s admission – decided by way of a unanimous vote by the 11 Member Associations of AFF – will enable Australian National Teams to participate in AFF competitions and ensure Australia enjoys full political membership of the regional body.
“Timor Leste was the last member to be admitted into the AFF, so it is only fitting that we are all here for this proud nation to pass the baton to Australia” said His Royal Highness Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah, the President of the AFF.
Added David Gallop, the FFA General Secretary and CEO: “FFA is honoured to be admitted to the ASEAN Football Federation. We look forward to being an active member, and to contributing to the ongoing development and success of football in our region.”
The decision was welcomed by Lt General Dato’ Azzuddin Ahmad, General Secretary of AFF. “FFA today joins the other 11 countries of AFF as an equal, and we look forward to working closely with Australia in the years to come”, said Dato’ Azzuddin.
Australia is currently participating in the AFF U16 Boys Championships in Myanmar, and will also compete in the AFF Women’s Championships and AFF Futsal Championships later this year.
The membership comes on the eve of an important milestone in the countdown to the AFC Asian Cup Australia 2015.
“Tomorrow will mark 500 days to go until the Asian Cup comes to Australian shores. As a member of AFF, we will do our upmost to do ASEAN, and indeed all of Asia, proud,” said Gallop.
COMMENT - good or bad news? Presently the Socceroos compete in the East Asian Football Federation Championships against teams like Japan, South Korea and China and that would appear to be their level.
Will they forego the EAFF to compete in the AFF in the future? At what benefit to them is the question that springs out. To field a B team of A League players because the internationals from Europe and those playing in Asia won't be falling over backwards to compete in what is, outside of the region, a tin pot tournament.
And will the Aussies be able to curb their natural brashness and abrasiveness. You only had to hear the coach of the cricket team whining recently about English players cheating during the failed ashes series to see how the fair dinkkum possums react when things don't go their way!
Ian Botham and co can brush that kind of whining off but here in a more sensitive part of the world will they be so forgiving? Or will it be seen as overpowering white guys looking down on the rest?
So, yep, difficult to see what is in it for everyone really. With the focus for now in Asia on AFC Asian Cup qualifiers and, regionally, the SEA Games I guess we play a waiting game.
Home Cruise Against Young Malaysians
Home United have been the also rans of Singapore football since I started covering the game there. Often going close yet never managing to actually do enough to win the SLeague despite boasting a team filled with some of the best players, and imports, in the country.
This season to be far the Protectors, don't they have an animal nickname like the rest of the clubs, have been far from the mix but victory last night against Harimau Muda has lifted them up to third place, admittedly on goal difference ahead of Tanjong Pagar, with just a couple of games to go before the end of the regular season and the start of some godawful top six, bottom six kicks in.
Two goals from Indra Sahdan Daud plus contributions from Jordan Webb, on as a sub, and an OG, were enough to overcome the Malaysians who seem content to wallow in mid table nothingness.
Friday offers Home a good opportunity to pull ahead of Tanjung Pagar when they host Young Lions but then the visitors will be buzzing on their own high after earning their first win of the season the other day. Their opponent? Tanjung Pagar!
But Home have been a model of inconsistency this season. Their win over Harimau Muda was their second on the spin. Following a run of two straight defeats.
Bloody football, eh?
This season to be far the Protectors, don't they have an animal nickname like the rest of the clubs, have been far from the mix but victory last night against Harimau Muda has lifted them up to third place, admittedly on goal difference ahead of Tanjong Pagar, with just a couple of games to go before the end of the regular season and the start of some godawful top six, bottom six kicks in.
Two goals from Indra Sahdan Daud plus contributions from Jordan Webb, on as a sub, and an OG, were enough to overcome the Malaysians who seem content to wallow in mid table nothingness.
Friday offers Home a good opportunity to pull ahead of Tanjung Pagar when they host Young Lions but then the visitors will be buzzing on their own high after earning their first win of the season the other day. Their opponent? Tanjung Pagar!
But Home have been a model of inconsistency this season. Their win over Harimau Muda was their second on the spin. Following a run of two straight defeats.
Bloody football, eh?
Malaysia's Merdeka Tournament
Sept 7 (Saturday): Thailand v Myanmar (5.30pm); Malaysia v Singapore (8.45pm)
Sept 9 (Monday): Thailand v Singapore (5.30pm); Malaysia v Myanmar (8.45pm)
Sept 11 (Wednesday): Malaysia v Thailand (Stadium Darul Makmur, 8.45pm); Singapore v Myanmar (Stadium Temerloh, 8.45pm)
Sept 14 (Saturday): Third-fourth placing playoff (5.30pm); Final (8.45pm). Both matches will be played at Stadium Darul Makmur.
KUALA LUMPUR (13 AUGUST 2013): Ticket sales for the 41st edition of the Merdeka Tournament, which will be held from Sept 7-14 at the Darul Makmur Stadium in Kuantan, Pahang, will go on sale online tomorrow.
For the early birds, tickets can be purchased via www.ticketpro.com.my. Tickets will also go on sale at the Darul Makmur Stadium from Aug 16-18, and on Aug 26 onwards.
Tickets priced at RM38, RM48, RM68 (east stand reserved), RM128 (grandstand reserved) are for both games on match days, RM209 (season east stand) and RM375 (season grandstand) can be purchased from Ticketpro's telephone hotline, +6(03)7880-7999, and at Ticketpro's outlets across Malaysia.
The National Under-23 teams of Singapore, Thailand and Myanmar have confirmed participation in the eight-day tournament.
However, the tournament regulations requires that the last preliminary round matches between Malaysia and Thailand to be played at the Darul Makmur Stadium in Kuantan, while the Singapore and Myanmar tie is held at the Temerloh Stadium simultaneously on Wednesday, Sept 11. Kick-off time is 8.45pm. Tickets for the match in Temerloh are priced at RM38 and RM28.
“The decision to organise the Merdeka Tournament in Kuantan will provide the opportunity for football fans in Pahang and neighbouring states to witness exciting matches, unlike previous years, when fans had to travel to Kuala Lumpur,” said Merdeka Tournament Organising Committee chairman, Tengku Abdullah Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah.
“I hope they will take this opportunity to support the Malaysian team, which later this year will be competing in the Southeast Asian Games in Myanmar. The national team needs all the support from fans in the Merdeka Tournament.”
SOURCE - From a new, much improved FAM website
Pro Duta - Indonesia's European Ambassador
The German Bundesliga recently celebrated its 50th
anniversary and just one team has been in the most watched league in Europe
since its inception. Not Bayern Munchen as many might suppose given their
dominance of the league but Hamburg SV.
The city of Hamburg, a onetime Hanseatic trading state, has
always looked to the seas with its large port. The Beatles played there before
achieving fame and of course HSV signed Kevin Keegan .
The eclectic nature of the city continues. Today the
football team boasts one of the few English players on the continent, Michael
Mancienne while Zhi Gin Lam has a Chinese German heritage.
It seems therefore appropriate that it should be Hamburg
that bucked a trend this summer. With the likes of Arsenal, Chelsea and
Liverpool heading to Jakarta to be feted and adored little fuss has been made
of the Indonesian team that made the return journey.
Pro Duta aren’t the biggest name in Indonesian football. In
fact it is true to say they are one of the smallest clubs. A minnow among
minnows. Don’t bother trying to find them on a map, they aren’t there. One of
the few privately run clubs in the country Pro Duta have moved homes as often
as Pelita Jaya. From Bandung to Yogyakarta to Medan they have travelled in
search of home and security and it is this transient nature that has
contributed to their status.
There is a large ethnic basis to many Indonesian clubs. PSMS
Medan are closely identified with the batak people, Persib Bandung with the
Sundanese. Pro Duta? No one!
So it was a surprise to many when it was announced Pro Duta
would be heading to Europe during the Indonesia Premier League’s mid season
break to take on German giants HSV as well as a few other friendlies. Here at
last was an Indonesian club doing something that could help Indonesian players
and not just hosting the mega stars of the super wealthy on their highly
choreographed jaunts.
In keeping with their anonymity even at home Pro Duta is a
club with few stars. Keeper Deniss Romanovs is a Latvian international as is
striker Girts Karlsons. And that is about it. The rest of the squad that
travelled to Europe was made up of journeymen pros who don’t even warrant a
Wikipedia entry!
The tour started spectacularly with a 7-0 win over local
side TSV Winsen! In the absence of a travelling media party one of the team’s
players, Rahmat Hidayat, informed a local Medan newspaper of the result by
Blackberry Messenger, advising the goals had come from Yusuf Effendi, Ghozali
Siregar with a couple, Rahmad himself, M Syamir, Arif Sajali and M Nur Adli.
Next was the big one. Given their 50 years in the Bundesliga
it would be tempting to suggest HSV promote their game with Pro Duta as a
commemorative game but it was no such thing of course. Indeed, the game wasn’t
even played at their impressive Imtech Arena.
Instead Pro Duta had to make do with HSV’s training ground
although some advertising hoardings had been set up and the game was shown live
in Indonesia.
With many players away on international duty the home team
fielded a team depleted of its big names but still had too much in the tank as
they overcame the visitors 4-0 with goals from Dennis Aogo, Godjo Kacar, Maxi
Beister and Valmir Nafiu.
Next up was a game against HSV Under 23 and Pro Duta lost by
the same margin.
From Hamburg the team travelled south, across the Alps, to
Italy for a couple of friendlies. They celebrated Independence Day in the
capital, Roma with a game against AS Roma’s youth team, falling 4-1 with
Ghozali scoring again from the Indonesian team.
Their second game in Italy came against AS Pro Cisterna and
was a much closer encounter. Despite losing 3-2 (Karsons and Hidayat) the team
felt they deserved a draw and indeed could have managed one had not Karlsons
missed a penalty.
After their Italian tryst the team headed back north for one
final game against Ajax Jong suffering a narrow 1-0 loss at the home of the
Dutch masters despite being cheered on by a section of the sizeable Indonesian
community residing there. Also watching were Ajax legends Marc Overmars and
Edwin van der Sar, two figures who embody the continuity that runs through that
football club. Like the Chinese saying, falling leaves return to the ground.
Overmars received their football education with Ajax, added to that knowledge
when they moved abroad and now return home to pass their experiences on to the
next generation.
A continuity sadly lacking in Indonesia.
Pro Duta have now returned home to the uncertainties of the
Indonesia Premier League. They sit fourth and are striving for a top three position
that could see them take their place in the Super League next season.
Their European trip will certainly have given them an edge
over their rivals. While they were left behind training on bumpy pitches, Pro
Duta were flitting between Hamburg, Rome and Amsterdam pitting wits against
some of the finest young players on the continent on some of the finest playing
fields.
They were imbibing a professional football culture far
different from the rough and ready world of Indonesia they are used to at home
and they return with a 101 memories and experiences that could stand them in
good stead if Indonesia ever loses its football insularity.
SOURCE - first appeared in Jakarta Globe
Monday, August 26, 2013
PKNS Remain Unbeaten In Malaysia Cup, Stags Rout DPMM
Indonesia Super League
Sriwijaya v Mitra Kukar 2-2 (Herman Dzumafo, Achmad Jufriyanto; Iljia Spasojevic, Zulham Zamrun) 21,223
PSPS v Persija 0-6 (Emmanuel Kenmogne 3, Robertinho 2, M Ilham) 276
Persib v Persiram 1-2 (Sergio Van Dijk; Lee Soung Yong 2) 25,550
Persita v Persidafon 2-2 (Firdaus Ramadhan, Cristian Carrasco; Samuel Munez, David Laly) 2,317
Pelita Bandung Raya v Persisam 3-1 (Marwan Mustafa, Gaston Castano, Mundai; Lancine Kone) 1,500
Persib's first home defeat of the season couldn't have come at a worse time as they chase second place and rivals Sriwijaya and Mitra Kukar played out a draw. PSPS heading for 100 goals conceded in a season? I think they have now let in 93 with two games left
Divisi Utama
Perseru v PSMP 3-0
Persik v Perssiko 1-0
Persikabo v Perseba Super 3-1
PSCS v Perseta 1-0
PS Bangka v PSBS Biak 2-0
Persebaya v PSIS 2-0
Malaysia Cup
Selangor v ATM 2-3 (Amri Yahaya, S Kunalan; Hairuddin Omar, Fitri Omar, Christie Jayaseelan)
Sime Darby v Johor 1-2 (Karlo Primorac; Khairul Ismail, Izuan Jarudin)
Johor Darul Takzim v Felda United 1-0 (Safee Sali)
T Team v PKNS 0-1 (Roman Chhmelo)
Kelantan v Terengganu 2-0 (Dickson Nwakaeme, Zaire Anuar Zailani)
Negeri Sembilan v Pahang 3-5 (Sivanesan 3; Azamuddin Akil, R Gopinathan 2, Matias Ruben Conti, Amirulhadi Zainal)
Sarawak v LionsXII 2-1 (og, Joseph Kallang Tie; Safuwan Baharudin) 35,000
Kedah v Perak 1-1 (Alen Guc; Khairul Asyraf Sahizah)
PKNS perhaps surprisingly remain the only team after two group stage games with two wins. Kedah needed another late goal from Alen Guc to rescue a point at home while LionsXII again struggled to make an impression, just one point from their opening two games.
SLeague
Geylang International v Woodlands Wellington 1-2 (Jozef Kaplan; Jo Yoon Chang)
Tanjong Pagar v Young Lions 0-1 (OG)
DPMM v Tampines Rovers 2-6 (Adi Bin Said, Tales Ricarto dos Santos; Aleksander Duric 3, Khairul Amri, Caramelo, Shahdan Sulaiman)
Remarkable night of SLeague action. Young Lions managed their first win of the season, at the 20th time of asking while Tampines travelled to Brunei, formerly a tough place to get a result, and didn't just get a result...they thumped the home team in a thrilling second half when all the goals were scored. They are 11 points clear with four games remaining. They could be crowned champions later this week when they play Woodlands.
1 - Tampines Rovers 20 15 2 3 45-23 47
2 - Albirex Niigata 20 10 6 4 25-18 36
3 - Tanjong Pagar 20 9 6 5 31-23 33
Sriwijaya v Mitra Kukar 2-2 (Herman Dzumafo, Achmad Jufriyanto; Iljia Spasojevic, Zulham Zamrun) 21,223
PSPS v Persija 0-6 (Emmanuel Kenmogne 3, Robertinho 2, M Ilham) 276
Persib v Persiram 1-2 (Sergio Van Dijk; Lee Soung Yong 2) 25,550
Persita v Persidafon 2-2 (Firdaus Ramadhan, Cristian Carrasco; Samuel Munez, David Laly) 2,317
Pelita Bandung Raya v Persisam 3-1 (Marwan Mustafa, Gaston Castano, Mundai; Lancine Kone) 1,500
Persib's first home defeat of the season couldn't have come at a worse time as they chase second place and rivals Sriwijaya and Mitra Kukar played out a draw. PSPS heading for 100 goals conceded in a season? I think they have now let in 93 with two games left
Divisi Utama
Perseru v PSMP 3-0
Persik v Perssiko 1-0
Persikabo v Perseba Super 3-1
PSCS v Perseta 1-0
PS Bangka v PSBS Biak 2-0
Persebaya v PSIS 2-0
Malaysia Cup
Selangor v ATM 2-3 (Amri Yahaya, S Kunalan; Hairuddin Omar, Fitri Omar, Christie Jayaseelan)
Sime Darby v Johor 1-2 (Karlo Primorac; Khairul Ismail, Izuan Jarudin)
Johor Darul Takzim v Felda United 1-0 (Safee Sali)
T Team v PKNS 0-1 (Roman Chhmelo)
Kelantan v Terengganu 2-0 (Dickson Nwakaeme, Zaire Anuar Zailani)
Negeri Sembilan v Pahang 3-5 (Sivanesan 3; Azamuddin Akil, R Gopinathan 2, Matias Ruben Conti, Amirulhadi Zainal)
Sarawak v LionsXII 2-1 (og, Joseph Kallang Tie; Safuwan Baharudin) 35,000
Kedah v Perak 1-1 (Alen Guc; Khairul Asyraf Sahizah)
PKNS perhaps surprisingly remain the only team after two group stage games with two wins. Kedah needed another late goal from Alen Guc to rescue a point at home while LionsXII again struggled to make an impression, just one point from their opening two games.
SLeague
Geylang International v Woodlands Wellington 1-2 (Jozef Kaplan; Jo Yoon Chang)
Tanjong Pagar v Young Lions 0-1 (OG)
DPMM v Tampines Rovers 2-6 (Adi Bin Said, Tales Ricarto dos Santos; Aleksander Duric 3, Khairul Amri, Caramelo, Shahdan Sulaiman)
Remarkable night of SLeague action. Young Lions managed their first win of the season, at the 20th time of asking while Tampines travelled to Brunei, formerly a tough place to get a result, and didn't just get a result...they thumped the home team in a thrilling second half when all the goals were scored. They are 11 points clear with four games remaining. They could be crowned champions later this week when they play Woodlands.
1 - Tampines Rovers 20 15 2 3 45-23 47
2 - Albirex Niigata 20 10 6 4 25-18 36
3 - Tanjong Pagar 20 9 6 5 31-23 33
Friday, August 23, 2013
Hariss Prefers Malaysia Over Portugal
According to this story Singapore's Hariss Harun is happy to turn down a move to Portugal to play in Malaysia.
Hariss' old man is quoted as saying “I feel it’s time for Hariss to move out of Singapore. He is only 23 and still has time to develop his career away from home. Maybe playing in Malaysia will teach him what life as a professional footballer is all about. He will learn to be independent and, after a season or two, he can then think what his next step should be. Hariss has served Singapore football well and has carried the team forward. Now, he should look elsewhere.”
Apparently there was an offer on the table from a club in Portugal but the player said something about not being able to accept the deal.
Does this guy want to be a top professional footballer or does he just want to be a big fish in a small pond?
Playing in Malaysia won't teach him jack shit about being a professional footballer that he can't learn in Singapore. Playing in Portugal will teach him a lot more!
Fandi Ahmad is often cited at times like this and it is worth recalling what he told me about his time in Europe. He said he wished he'd stuck around longer and made a go of it.
Hariss, and his old man, cannot expect any European team, to come along waving big Euros just because he has had a few good reviews in Southeast Asia.
If he wants to fulfill his undoubted talent then he will need to take a step back to go forwards. Put himself in the European shop window. Play with better players.
Moving to Malaysia is the lazy option and shows lack of professional hunger and desire. rather like average English players content to draw large salaries at mid table clubs yet rarely threatening to break into the national team.
Maybe he, and his old man, feel they have made it in the heady waters of the Malaysia Super League and that is good enough for him and his career. Better the guarantee of rice today than the promise of steak tomorrow.
I wonder what Bernd Stang thinks of that level of ambition from a player he had identified as key to the national team.
UPDATE - I understand money wasn't just the issue. The club concerned wanted him to join up in July which is pre season after all but that would have affected his national service which for Singaporeans is a very big deal and for Singaporean sports people seemingly an obstacle to their careers.
Rearranging NS is apparently a pain in the butt and most Singaporeans would rather get the bloody thing done and dusted and move on.
Hariss decided to put NS first. At 23 he is perhaps starting to get a bit too old to be considered by European clubs and it remains to be seen whether or not another opportunity arises.
Thanks for the people who helped provide more background for this story.
Hariss' old man is quoted as saying “I feel it’s time for Hariss to move out of Singapore. He is only 23 and still has time to develop his career away from home. Maybe playing in Malaysia will teach him what life as a professional footballer is all about. He will learn to be independent and, after a season or two, he can then think what his next step should be. Hariss has served Singapore football well and has carried the team forward. Now, he should look elsewhere.”
Apparently there was an offer on the table from a club in Portugal but the player said something about not being able to accept the deal.
Does this guy want to be a top professional footballer or does he just want to be a big fish in a small pond?
Playing in Malaysia won't teach him jack shit about being a professional footballer that he can't learn in Singapore. Playing in Portugal will teach him a lot more!
Fandi Ahmad is often cited at times like this and it is worth recalling what he told me about his time in Europe. He said he wished he'd stuck around longer and made a go of it.
Hariss, and his old man, cannot expect any European team, to come along waving big Euros just because he has had a few good reviews in Southeast Asia.
If he wants to fulfill his undoubted talent then he will need to take a step back to go forwards. Put himself in the European shop window. Play with better players.
Moving to Malaysia is the lazy option and shows lack of professional hunger and desire. rather like average English players content to draw large salaries at mid table clubs yet rarely threatening to break into the national team.
Maybe he, and his old man, feel they have made it in the heady waters of the Malaysia Super League and that is good enough for him and his career. Better the guarantee of rice today than the promise of steak tomorrow.
I wonder what Bernd Stang thinks of that level of ambition from a player he had identified as key to the national team.
UPDATE - I understand money wasn't just the issue. The club concerned wanted him to join up in July which is pre season after all but that would have affected his national service which for Singaporeans is a very big deal and for Singaporean sports people seemingly an obstacle to their careers.
Rearranging NS is apparently a pain in the butt and most Singaporeans would rather get the bloody thing done and dusted and move on.
Hariss decided to put NS first. At 23 he is perhaps starting to get a bit too old to be considered by European clubs and it remains to be seen whether or not another opportunity arises.
Thanks for the people who helped provide more background for this story.
Divisi Utama Play Offs
Two of Indonesia's biggest clubs, Persebaya and PSIS Semarang, go head to head in Surabaya on Sunday in a Divisi Utama Big 12 game but no fans will be allowed to watch.
PSIS have regularly drawn 20,000 to their games during the regular season and would have been expected to take a large support along the north coast for this game despite their poor showing so far but security officials have it seems nixxed that particular idea.
There are two Persebaya's representing the proud football city of Surabaya but the Divisi Utama one have struggled for crowds with most Bonek preferring to follow the IPL team.
The Big 12 is divided into three groups of four teams. The group winners, along with the best second placed team, will meet in the semi finals, to be held in Solo on 8 September. The final, to decide the final winner of the five division Divisi Utama will be held in the same city on 14 September.
The winner and runners up will go into the Indonesia Super League next season as will the team that wins the 3/4th place play off. The loser of that game will face another play off against the team that finishes 15th in the ISL.
Big 12 Standings
GROUP 1
1 - Persik 4 3 0 1 13-5 9
2 - PSCS 4 3 0 1 6-2 9
GROUP 2
1 - Persebaya 4 2 2 0 6-4 8
2 - PS Biak 4 2 1 1 5-3 7
GROUP 3
1 - Perseru 4 3 1 0 9-3 10
2 - Persikabo 4 3 0 1 9-6 9
PSIS have regularly drawn 20,000 to their games during the regular season and would have been expected to take a large support along the north coast for this game despite their poor showing so far but security officials have it seems nixxed that particular idea.
There are two Persebaya's representing the proud football city of Surabaya but the Divisi Utama one have struggled for crowds with most Bonek preferring to follow the IPL team.
The Big 12 is divided into three groups of four teams. The group winners, along with the best second placed team, will meet in the semi finals, to be held in Solo on 8 September. The final, to decide the final winner of the five division Divisi Utama will be held in the same city on 14 September.
The winner and runners up will go into the Indonesia Super League next season as will the team that wins the 3/4th place play off. The loser of that game will face another play off against the team that finishes 15th in the ISL.
Big 12 Standings
GROUP 1
1 - Persik 4 3 0 1 13-5 9
2 - PSCS 4 3 0 1 6-2 9
GROUP 2
1 - Persebaya 4 2 2 0 6-4 8
2 - PS Biak 4 2 1 1 5-3 7
GROUP 3
1 - Perseru 4 3 1 0 9-3 10
2 - Persikabo 4 3 0 1 9-6 9
Sime Darby Edge Thriller On Malaysia Cup Opening Day
Johor v Selangor 0-0
ATM v Sime Darby 3-4 (og, Irwan Fadzly, Vince Elphi; Togaba Kontiwa 2, Hadzirun Hamid, Fazrul Hazli)
PKNS v Johor Darul Takzim 2-0 (Patrick Ronaldinho Wleh 2)
Felda United v T Team 0-1 (George Boateng)
Pahang (Damion Stewart) v Kelantan (Badhri Radzi) 1-1
Terengganu v Negeri Sembilan (Fabio Leandro, S Sivanesan) 0-2
Perak (Paolo Rangel 2) v Sarawak 2-1 (Joseph Kallang Tie)
LionsXII v Kedah 2-2 (Shafiq Ghani, Shahril Ishak; Alen Guc 2)
Super League champions LionsXII were pegged back in injury time by Alen Guc's late equaliser. Former Aston Villa, Middlesbrough, Coventry City etc midfielder George Boateng scored the only goal for T Team while another player with experience in England, this time with QPR, Damion Stewart, scored for Pahang.
Second group stage games will be played this Saturday
Slemen Will Host Persija & Persib
The game between Persija and Persib was originally called off, by Persib, after their team bus was attacked by fans of Persija.
Security officials in Jakarta said they no longer wanted the high octane game held in their city; they couldn't arrange to keep the bus safe on the day when the game itself was to be played behind closed doors, so decided that was enough.
There was some talk the game would be relocated to Pekanbaru on the island of Sumatra, a long trek for anyone at the best of times.
Now a semblance of sanity has been restored with the announcement the game would be played in Sleman, a suburb of Yogyakarta that boasts one of the best stadiums in the country.
The game will take place 28 August.
Security officials in Jakarta said they no longer wanted the high octane game held in their city; they couldn't arrange to keep the bus safe on the day when the game itself was to be played behind closed doors, so decided that was enough.
There was some talk the game would be relocated to Pekanbaru on the island of Sumatra, a long trek for anyone at the best of times.
Now a semblance of sanity has been restored with the announcement the game would be played in Sleman, a suburb of Yogyakarta that boasts one of the best stadiums in the country.
The game will take place 28 August.
Warriors Weave Their Way Round Hougang
Football people like to tell you how professional they are. That thoughts about revenge, for example, are petty and beneath them.
You tell me Alex Weaver didn't open the front door of his house last night, close it behind me and let out an almighty 'YES!' that rent the suburban night. You tell me he wasn't high fiving every player in the dressing room after the game. You tell me he couldn't sleep last night as he was still buzzing.
After being so shabbily treated by Hougang United Weaver was taken on by Warriors and last night the two teams went head to head in the SLeague.
Marin Vidosevic gave the visitors the lead half way through the first half and a second half penalty from Mislav Karoglan gave the team formerly known as SAFFC a two goal cushion.
Fairoz Hasan scoring two minutes from the end would have caused some squeaky bum time on the visiting team's bench but they held on for a crucial and indeed emotional three points.
In the scheme of the SLeague it means little. Warriors remain the wrong side of mid table and Hougang second bottom. But in the context of a league lacking match day passion the result means a hell of a lot to one person at least.
You tell me Alex Weaver didn't open the front door of his house last night, close it behind me and let out an almighty 'YES!' that rent the suburban night. You tell me he wasn't high fiving every player in the dressing room after the game. You tell me he couldn't sleep last night as he was still buzzing.
After being so shabbily treated by Hougang United Weaver was taken on by Warriors and last night the two teams went head to head in the SLeague.
Marin Vidosevic gave the visitors the lead half way through the first half and a second half penalty from Mislav Karoglan gave the team formerly known as SAFFC a two goal cushion.
Fairoz Hasan scoring two minutes from the end would have caused some squeaky bum time on the visiting team's bench but they held on for a crucial and indeed emotional three points.
In the scheme of the SLeague it means little. Warriors remain the wrong side of mid table and Hougang second bottom. But in the context of a league lacking match day passion the result means a hell of a lot to one person at least.
The IPL Will Go On. Maybe.
After uncertainty as to whether the league would even continue it has been announced the Indonesia Premier League will commence after the fasting month break in September.
It had been due to kick off again this weekend but some clubs had apparently expressed concerns about carrying on citing the usual money concerns.
It's not clear whether they have suddenly received heaps of new cash but the IPL will continue with Persiba Bantul playing Persebaya on 1 September.
Of course this may all change!
It had been due to kick off again this weekend but some clubs had apparently expressed concerns about carrying on citing the usual money concerns.
It's not clear whether they have suddenly received heaps of new cash but the IPL will continue with Persiba Bantul playing Persebaya on 1 September.
Of course this may all change!
Wednesday, August 21, 2013
Fandi Severs Ties With Johor DT
SINGAPORE - Fandi Ahmad has resigned as team manager of Malaysian Super League (MSL) team Johor Darul Takzim with immediate effect.
The 51-year-old former Singapore skipper, who was stood down from his position as chief coach of Johor DT last month and redesignated as team manager, had tendered his resignation to the Johor Football Association (JFA) last week, but it was only accepted by the JFA’s Council yesterday.
COMMENT - this was always on the cards once he was shifted to the manager's role. I guess the club wanted him out but didn't want to sack him with the costs involved.
