Jakarta Casual

Thai football is on hold until the 8 October even though there are just six games to play. The Malaysia Cup ended the group stage on 3 September and doesn't return until 3 October. The SLeague proper ended 5 September, it returns with the top half, bottom half fixtures on 17 September, stops again after the games 19 September and returns 1 October!

And Indonesia? As ever, Indonesia is worthy of a paragraph of its own. If the national team makes it out of the group stage of the Asian Games then the play offs begin 6 October. If they don't then 3 October. The final may be played on 2 November or 9 November. At Samarinda. Or Jakarta. Or Palembang. It all depends really.

So why are there yet more lengthy breaks in the domestic season. Simple. The Asian Games being held in South Korea, an Under 23 event not recognised by FIFA. Remember, each time there is a break it means clubs, especially those in Indonesia, are not taking any money at the gate and therefore have one more excuse not to pay salaries.

It wasn't that long ago there was an Under 23 event in Brunei. Next year sees the SEA Games in Singapore. And last year saw the AFC Under 22 tournament.

Is it really necessary to impose another tournament into an already squeezed calender. If it is then is it necessary to stop the bloody leagues? It is after all an Under 23 event.

Singapore travel to Korea without Haris Harun after his club Johor Darul Takzim refused to release him ahead of their crucial Malaysia Cup ties; and they are well within their rights to do so.

By all means have these tournaments but there is absolutely no reason why the domestic leagues must go into shut down for them.