Jakarta Casual

With Persipura, Semen Padang, Perseru and Persiram sitting out the President's Cup for whatever reason, they have allowed some of their players to play for other clubs on loan for the duration.

Leading the way is Boas Solossa. The veteran Persipura striker will be wearing Pusamania colours for their group stage games in Makassar, a real coup for the club that only made its debut in 2014 after taking over Perseba Super Bangkalan and moving them to Samarinda.

Persija have snapped up a couple of well known faces; Liberian international James Koko Lomell is one of those players who seems to get younger every year...with Persiram sitting out the President's Cup he has moved to Persija where he will link up with another loan signing, Nur Iskander from Semen Padang and the timeless Bambang Pamungkas. Not that it did the Kemayoran Tigers much cop, they lost their opening game 3-0 in front of a sell out crowd against Bali United.

ISL champions Persib have also been active in the loan market, bringing in the highly rated Zulham Zumrun from Persipura while they also welcome back Vladimir Vujovic and Ilija Spasojevic.

Hardly unfamiliar but the promising Evan Dimas has returned from his trial in Spain with praise ringing in his ears but no contract. Many will be watching to see how he does with Persebaya, now rebranded Persebaya United but still boycotted by most of their fans.

And a big signing for Arema as they have brought in another big name from Persipura, Lancine Kone in their bid to lift the Cup.

The President's Cup started today with Bali United defeating Persija 3-0 as mentioned earlier.

When it comes to South East Asian football, coach Steve Darby has forgotten more than most have ever known. He has been there and done that in Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam and most recently Laos where he is busy, as I type this, plotting South Korea's downfall in their World Cup Qualifier next week.

Definitely a pint glass half full kind of guy, Darby feels an exciting end to the little known domestic season can only benefit the players as they dig out their passports ahead of the next step of their careers. 

'It's coming to an exciting end with ... Lan Xang, SHB and Laos Toyota pulling away and the title may go to the head to head rule,' enthused the affable coach. He also pointed to an improved atmosphere at games, saying 'Lan Xang have made their new stadium very fan friendly and they are getting full houses.'

Traditionally of course there has been little excitement with Laos for their own league and attendances have been on the small side so for players to get used to faces on the terraces has to be a massive boost to their confidence as well as go some way towards preparing them for more hostile arenas. Some way being the operative words!

With an eye to the future, Darby has included five players from the SEA Games squad which defeated Timor Leste and Brunei in Singapore earlier in the year but admits only one is likely to stretch his legs on the pitch.

After one point from their two opening qualifiers, a 2-2 draw at home to neighbouring Myanmar following a 2-0 loss at home to Lebanon, Darby is going for experience over youth. 'I brought back senior players for these games (South Korea and Kuwait a few days later) as you need tough men with experience to play at this level. I don't care how old players are...it's all about ability.'

Among the players earning recalls are two players who had been suspended for their involvement in a major incident a few years back plus a couple of others who had been put out to pasture despite being in their late 20s! And South East Asia's reputation for non football matters also played its part when Darby sat down to select his squad; 'we have two players still suspended for match manipulation'.

 '(29 year old Ayutthaya striker)Khampeng is still a quality player (and) Khouanta Sivongthong (from the SEA Games squad) has a great future ... but the reality is we are based on team work. It 's too late as national coach to work on fitness or technique so we work on tactics, set pieces and the mentality of the players.'

Games against South Korea and Kuwait are a meaty enough double header for most Asian nations, even more so for a nation starved of resources such as Laos. However a friendly has been pencilled in against Cambodia and while the coach admits they may not be the most glamourous opposition in world football there are at least points available which could improve the national team's rankings.

In the South Korean ranks is a player who has left the Bundesliga to join English Premier League side Tottenham while Kuwait have two sides with one foot each in the AFC Cup semi finals following convincing wins midweek. Against that pedigree Laos are most definitely small time but the beauty of football is David can sometimes take on Goliath and leave a mark and Steve Darby will be hoping his players can at least leaving the big name stars of South Korean and Kuwait knowing they have at least been in a game.

SLeague

1 - DPMM (Brunei)
2 - Albirex Niigata (Japan)

Singapore Cup semi finalists

DPMM, Albirex Niigata, Global (Philippines)

Malaysia FA Cup

LionsXII Winners!!

Discussions are ongoing as to whether LionsXII will continue playing in Malaysia but apparently there has been a request field foreign players.

Daft idea. If you are going to have a side playing north of the causeway then go ahead but use the Young Lions. The LionsXII players, scatter them round the SLeague clubs, god knows it looks like they need some infusion to stay alive.

The job of the FAS is to foster, develop and support football within its territory. Any success in Malaysia really should be meaningless unless it is translated into success closer to home but as can be seen above that just ain't happening...indeed things seem to be getting worse.

Good result last night by Qadsia as they put one foot into the AFC Cup semi finals after overcoming Syrian side Al Jaish. Goals from Fahed Al Ebrahim, Abdulaziz Alenezi and veteran Bader Al Almotowaa were enough but there could have been more as the visitors visibly wilted in the second half under the 40 degree heat.

The second leg will be played in Kuwait on 15 September,

In other Kuwaiti news, their World Cup Qualifier against Myanmar next Thursday has been switched to Qatar for some less than clear reason. In addition the AFC Under 16 qualifiers due to be played in Kuwait from 16 September will also be moved away. Not sure why though there has been some confusion about the readiness of the stadiums.

This news comes after Kuwait asked for the GCC Cup which it was due to host in December 2015 to be put back 12 months.

Today sees the AFC Cup return after a lengthy hiatus with Qadsia taking on Al Jaish in Kuwait City. It will certainly be a funny old game with the Syrian visitors having just won their local league while the hosts haven't kicked a ball in anger since their season ended in May.

These circumstances probably mean both coaches have their excuses ready and primed with one suggesting they have just started pre season training and the other saying they have come off the back of a long season!

Qadsia of course are the holders and will probably go into the game as slight favourites but Al Jaish have AFC Cup pedigree of their own having won the trophy back in 2004.

Having lost the services of Omar Al Soma, Qadsia will be looking to new striker, Congolese Doris Fuakumputu to hist the ground running after being brought in from Saudi club Al Fateh where he averaged almost a goal every other game.

Another new foreigner looking to impress will be Seydouba Soumah, a 24 year old midfielder from Guinea who Qadsia have signed on loan from Slovan Bratislava.

Looking to gel the new recruits as quickly as possible will be the evergreen Bader Al Mutawa. The 30 year old has been with Qadsia since 2002 and scored almost 200 goals in his career since as well as clocking more than 150 caps for the national team. With three goals already in the competition the experienced Al Mutawa will be pivotal to Qadsia's chances in the first leg if they are to reach the semi finals.

My latest Jakarta Globe column looks at Jacksen F Tiago's successful first season with Penang and the Indonesian influence.

Since banning Indonesia from competing in any football under its auspices several months ago it seems like FIFA has been in no rush to welcome the country back to its warm, loving embrace.

Now comes news they will put together a team and will visit the country in October to see what the problem is. Are. October? Some 6 months after the suspension!

The sports minister has said he will take the opportunity to 'explain everything' to the game's governing body though whether they will want to talk to him and in what capacity is unclear. After all Indonesia was suspended because of government interference.

At present clubs from the second tier Divisi Utama are competing in the Independence Cup organised by the Transition Team, a body set up by the government to help reform football.

In other totally unrelated news it appears the Indonesian owners of ALeague side Brisbane Roar are looking to sell the club as they struggle to pay wages on time. I know what you are thinking...

The owners of Brisbane Roar are massively influential in Indonesian football and it remains to be seen whether or not FIFA will be wanting to talk to them when they do hit town. At various times over the years they have had links with Pelita Jaya, Arema, Deltras (pictured in red) plus no doubt a few others. There can be no meaningful reform of football without them at least being at the table...

The National is an English language newspaper based in the UAE that produces excellent coverage of the local Arabian Gulf League. Amid the usual pre season previews they have had an article or two about how to entice some of the expats based in the country to games, a noble desire of course.

When I lived in Australia back in the late 80s early 90s I used to follow St George over land and sea as well as to Wollongong. My German interlude saw me attend games at different stadiums while I knew of one lad who would never miss a Fortuna Koln game unless he was laid up somewhere from too much elbow bending.

Then I moved to Asia. Football of course wasn't invented in Thailand until 2009 but the Premier League is perhaps the one league that does boast a significant number of expats watching games. A fair few residents, drunks, resident drunks and drunk residents follow and or followed Pattaya United for a while plus of course there is the granddaddy of them all Chonburi Dale who started following his local team when they first formed and went for years without missing a game home or away until the league rather inconveniently became more national and travel times became longer.

Interestingly enough some of those who 'fell in love' with Thai football when it increased in popularity have since fallen out of love with it. But go to places like Port and Bangkok Glass and you can be tripping over expats sipping their beer and calling the gammagarn a kwai.

Such is the popularity in Thailand a whole cottage industry has built up with converts producing blogs and going on to carve a niche for themselves writing about the game they love.

Indonesia? Without wanting to blow one's trumpet I can't think of many other expats who regularly attend games there, a nod to the lad in Samarinda, though I hope to have people prove that comment wrong! But even now when I go to games there, well when they used to have games there, people would ask me if I was a coach or a scout! Malaysia? Singapore? Well, I can think of one lad who follows Geylang International and indeed there is someone based in Jakarta who has a soft spot for the Eagles as well.

So why has Thailand managed to attract so many expat football fans and is there anything the Arabian Gulf League can learn from the land of smiles?

In some ways I think the obverse is true and it is Thailand who can learn from the UAE. As mentioned at the start of the piece there is good newspaper coverage of the local league. In addition the AGL website ain't that bad and is regularly updated...in both Arabic and English. And many clubs have their own bi lingual websites so English language information is readily available and quickly disseminated. In Thailand that void is filled by fans who learn the Thai script to keep ahead of the game and ensure the news gets out in a timely manner.

Football matches in Thailand are like tail gate parties. There is plenty of food and drink available and there is much to keep fans amused both before and after the game. The UAE? Well, at the game yesterday I saw between Al Shabab and Sharjah I did see some fans nibbling away at what looked like birdseed but I have no idea where they got it from as I couldn't see any food or drink stalls around the main stand.

And when you have 6pm kick offs you need a regular flow of liquid. Fair play to the players on the pitch, it was noticeable the game improved markedly as the temperature dropped, but sat in the main stand I was sweating buckets each time I breathed. Sweating is good, sweating is healthy but so is drinking but while I was offered the opportunity to sweat all I want there was nowhere to buy a drink.

At one stage in the second half some bloke did start dishing out small plastic ups of waters to fans around me...not to me but to everyone around me. 

You may recall earlier I mentioned expat fans at Thai games drinking beer. Sorry but for many football fans having a beer or two is an essential part of the match experience. Now I appreciate the UAE's reputation as a tolerant country, one reason I like Oud Metha with its mix of social clubs and schools and restaurants cheek by jowl. While I understand the sale of alcholic beverages is a no no surely some soft drinks and snacks can be made available on match day? Kebabs, shwarma etc.

There is one other reason perhaps why the UAE will struggle to get numbers of expat fans watching games in the way Thailand does and that is the demographic make up of the expat community. You can't go for a walk anywhere in Thailand these days without falling over English teachers. And they are the ones with the time and the money and the passion to get out and go to games. Hugely unscientific I know but I get the impression the UAE doesn't attract large numbers of itinerant young people attracted by the prospect of teaching English for a few years.

Like I said before, I believe some of the building blocks to attracting expat interest in the AGL are already in place; coverage from the paper is excellent and consistent. As I sat in a pub before heading to Al Shabab it didn't strike me many would leave their air conditioned comfort to head to an unknown part of town just to sweat and watch a game of football in difficult conditions. And if they knew no refreshments were available then a call to join me in the taxi would have gone unheeded.

Mind you, I fear my experiences yesterday would also go someway towards nipping any nascent interest in the bud. Why the big no no over taking pictures inside a stadium? Travelling football fans love this sort of stuff...arbitrarily banning cameras, especially on football fans who have travelled long distances just to experience the local football scene, will encourage no one to leave the bar and take a seat in the stand.

In more than 40 years of watching football in some 20 countries I had never but never been refused admission to a stadium.

There are times when I wish I had; a particularly dire 0-0 draw between Aldershot and Rochdale in 1980 springs to mind as well as an IPL game between Jakarta and Semarang United back in 2011.

But nope, on something like 1,000 occassions I have gone to a game, bought a ticket and entered the stadium. You may think that was fairly normal and yes so did I. Until last night.

After watching Al Shabab secure three points against Sharjah in the Arabian Gulf League I waited yonks for a taxi before heading to Oud Metha to catch Al Nasr take on Emirates in their first game of the season. Some people visit Dubai for tall buildings or malls, me I go for the football.

In good faith I handed over my 50 AED, got my ticket and had the stub torn off as usual. I climbed the stairs and offered my bag to security for them to check. Now in recent weeks I have had my bag checked at places like Hibernian and Hartlepool and Al Shabab without any issue but not this time.

Over officious security at Al Nasr wanted me to remove everything from my bag. Everything. And there at the very bottom of the bag they must have come up trumps. They found not a stash of drugs nor a dangerous weapon but a camera. Not a professional job, just a slightly battered D40 with a small lens.

Sorry, they said, you can't take the camera inside. Better you put it back in your car.

Car? I came by taxi I replied.

Well, leave your bag on the table and pick it up after the game.

Yeah right. I played the dumb tourist to no avail, these jobsworth were not going to budge.

According to these men in uniform taking a camera into the stadium was a breach of the rules.

So I have scanned the terms and conditions on the sale of tickets to Arabian Gulf League game and lo and behold among the list of prohibited items...there is nothing about cameras. Nothing.

There is however an interesting clause, 6, which states that should anything happen to my property, vis a vis my bag, then no one would claim any responsibility.

Now I could have tried buying a ticket for another part of the ground and see how I fared but I decided sod it. I went to the pub for a few before flying home.

The irony is a local paper in the UAE has been doing articles about attracting more expats to games, something of course I fully agree with. But small minded men in uniform deciding who can or cannot enter a stadium on their own whim will soon nip that in the bud.

I arrived in the Middle East just as the mercury was rising and the regional leagues were coming to a close. I managed to catch a couple of games in Kuwait as well as a President's Cup tie in the UAE but it was all really minimal. It was all a bit like catching the tail end of a movie, all very exciting for a climax aficionado or some glory hunting tosser but but knowing how the season ended didn't really interest me. I wanted to know about the twists and turns that brought us to that destination.

So I knuckled down for a hot summer with little football. Information is perhaps even hard to find in this part of the world than it is in Indonesia, especially for a non Arabic speaker but somethings don't change. For example Kuwait recently announced it would be cancelling the 2015 Gulf Cup because their stadiums aren't ready.

That decision seemed to have had a knock on effect around the gulf as leagues, which had already started preparing for the new season which took into account a break in December for regional rivalries, scampered to react to this drastic move. The UAE's Arabian Gulf League had already announced its fixtures, how would they react for example?

Other countries like Kuwait and Bahrain had promised to announce their domestic fixture lists during July but till now nothing appears on their website, at least in the English language sections, while we are still waiting on the Qatar Star's League to post theirs. Oman's Premier League kicks off tomorrow according to its website.

But it is the Arabian Gulf League that will be attracting my attention, at least until the action kicks off closer to home and tomorrow sees Al Ahli kick off their campaign at home to Al Fujairah. I popped round to their ground on a visit back in May but the turf was being dug up and while the stadium, left, looked a nice tidy affair, and right next to Stadium metro station, it was a bit like seeing a high class courtesan stripped of her make up...am looking forward to catching a game their anon.

The six time UAE champions, once coached by David O'Leary, have the obligatory Brazilians including 26 year full international Everton Ribeiro in the squad now in the hands of Romanian Cosmin Olaroiu, overcame 2014/2015 champions Al Ain in an all UAE AFC Champions League tie back in May and they face Iranian side Naft Tehran in the quarter finals with the first leg on 26 August, hence the early staging of their opening AGL game.

Champions Al Ain start their defence with a home game against Al Dhafra on Saturday...now I am no expert on geography but does this count as the longest journey to be made in the league? Al Ain have lost the services of prolific Ghanaian striker Asomoah Gyan, who has headed east for the lure of the yuan, so they will be looking to Nigerian Emmanuel Emenike to fill the gap left by the former Sunderland man. The 28 year old striker has come in on a season long loan from Turkish side Fenerbache.

When it comes to glamour clubs fallen on hard times, Al Wasl fit the bill. They play Al Jazira in their opening game on Saturday with Portuguese international Hugo Viana recently added to their ranks, coming in from Al Ahli; Viana spent a few years with Newcastle United in the early days of his career.

Seven times UAE champions and once coached by Diego Maradona, success has been evasive in recent years with just one title to their name since 1996/97. The success of the 1980s seems a long time ago but it seems their fans have stuck by them...a bit like Liverpool I guess in England!

A final word about an ex Arsenal lad. Denilson conjours up memories of Wenger's failed Project Youth when he strived to build a title winning side around supposedly hungry young players brought up on the Arsenal ethos. Unfortunately many of them just weren't good enough and Denilson fell into that category. Such is the apathy towards him even his English language wiki entry hasn't been updated to show his arrival at Al Wahda.

Champions in 2010, Al Wahda also boast a Kuwaiti international in their ranks, Hussein Fadhel, so they could be a team I will be keeping an eye on for the coming season though it is unlikely they will be mounting any serious title bid over the coming months. Still, could be an excuse to visit Abu Dhabi...sod all other reason to visit!

As for my backyard? Both Al Qadsia and Kuwait SC feature in AFC Cup quarter final action next week so something to look forward to there at least. Certainly it would be nice to jump on a bus and catch a game rather than heading to the airport.

Let the season(s) begin!

COMMENT - this is not meant as a preview, more the ramblings of a football starved expat stuck in the 50 degree heat of the Middle East gagging for a gargle and a game. A more informed preview can be found on the excellent Ahdaaf website.

PETALING JAYA: The Harimau Muda C’s playing tour of Slovakia was a roaring success.
The Under-19 coach Hassan Sazali Mohamed Waras said the 11-week stint (May 27-Aug 13) saw the boys winning 15 of the 17 matches.

“The boys settled down fast to their new surroundings after losing the opening game (June 2). All the 29 players had their fair share of playing time. We did well with 15 wins, a draw and a defeat. There are plenty of positives to take from the stint.”

He said strikers Mohd Syamer Kutty Abba and Muhd Jafri Chew who scored 11 goals during the stint were among those who gave a good account of themselves.
“The players showed a lot of promise and I hope they maintain the same momentum when we play in tournaments,” said Hassan.

The boys’ first test will be in the Asean Football Federation (AFF) Under-19 championship in Vientiane, Laos from Aug 23-Sept 3 followed with the Asian Under-19 qualifying rounds from Sept 26-Oct 6.

A total of 23 players have been picked for centralised training for the AFF, including two players from Frenz United.

Malaysia are drawn in Group B with hosts Vietnam, Myanmar, Singapore and Timor Leste while Group A consist of Thailand, Australia, Cambodia, Brunei, the Philippines and Laos.

Hassan added the players can expect stiffer oppositions in the AFC qualifying rounds as they have been pitted against China, North Korea and Macau in Group I.

The 10 group winners and the best five runner-ups will advance to the final rounds in Jordan next year. 

Results in Slovakia
FK Inter Bratislava (2-1)
FK Puchov (3-1)
Cermansky FK Nitra (4-0)
FK Dac 1904 Dunajska Stredaula (3-2)
MFK Ruzamberuk (5-1)
FK Lokomotiva Tranava (2-0)
MFK Dubnica Nad Vahom (3-0)
MFK Topvar Topokany (1-0)
FKM Nove Zamky (5-1)
Inter Dubravka SKP (2-0)
Jaslovske Bohunice SK BL (4-0)
Vion Zlate Moravce (2-0)
FKM Karlova Ves (2-1)
Spartak Myjava (3-0)
FK Slovan Levice (3-1)
MFK Skalica (2-2)
FC Banik Horna Nitra (0-2)

COMMENT - I know many have been critical of these sorts of tours, expecting near immediate results from the players but it doesn't work like that.  But it certainly doesn't do any harm to have some teenagers more than hold their own playing in an alien environment and should, as long as they keep grounded, hold them in good stead for the future.

Certainly there is likely to be more benefit to Malaysian football in tours like these rather than pointless friendlies against visiting EPL sides who aren't even fully fit

Group A:
2/9: Persebaya vs Martapura, Persib vs Persiba
6/9: Martapura vs Persiba, Persib vs Persebaya
10/9: Persebaya vs Persiba, Persib vs Martapura

Group B:
1/9 Sriwijaya FC vs PSGC, Arema vs Persela
5/9: Persela vs PSGC, Arema vs Sriwijaya
9/9: Sriwijaya FC vs Persela, Arema vs PSGC

Group C:
30/8: Bali United vs Persija, Mitra Kukar vs Persita
3/9: Persija vs Persita, Bali United vs Mitra Kukar
7/9: Bali United vs Persita, Persija vs Mitra Kukar

Group D:
31/8: PBR vs PBFC, PSM vs Gresik United
4/9: Gresik United vs PBFC, PSM vs PBR
8/9: Gresik United vs PBR, PSM vs PBFC

19-20 /9: Quarter Final 1st leg
26-27/9: Quarter Final 2nd leg
3-4/10: Semi-final 1st leg
12-13/10: Semi-final 2nd leg
18/10: Final

Of course this may all change!

Football returns to Indonesia today with the start of the Independence Cup. Organised by the government the cup features 24 teams drawn in four groups in Java and Sumatra. There is even a website though in the finest traditions of Indonesian football it is incomplete and full of dead links!

Group A

PSMS, Kalteng Putra, Persitara, PS Kwarta, Lampung, Persires

Group B

Perserang, Cilegon United, Yakuhimo, Persika, Mojokerto Putra, Persidago

Group C

Persis, Persiba Bantul, Persibangga, PSIR, PPSM, Persinga

Group D

Persepam Madura United, Madiun Putra, PSS, Persekap, Persatu, Persebo

Group A
Persires vs Ps. Kwarta, Stadion Teladan, Medan.
PSMS Medan vs Persitara, Teladan Stadium, Medan

Group B :
Perserang vs Persidago, Stadion Maulana Yusuf, Serang.
Mojokerto Putra vs Cilegon United, Stadion Krakatau Steel, Cilegon.

Group C:
Persis Solo VS PPSM Magelang, Manahan Stadium, Solo
PSIR Rembang VS Persiba Bantul, Sultan Agung Stadium, Bantul.

Group D:
Madiun Putra VS Persekap Pasuruan, Wilis Stadium, Madiun
PSS Sleman VS Persepam MU, Wilis Stadium, Madiun

Interesting that while Madiun and Medan get to host two games on the opening match day, the other groups feature two stadiums. The last thing anyone wants is rival fans not following the script and engaging in fisticuffs!

Note that all the teams entered are from Divisi Utama...the ISL clubs are apparently waiting for their own 1 Indonesia Cup to begin, that is being organised by their own league!

There is little of the hoo haa that greeted the LPI back in the day, little of the calls for football reform we all know the game needs but we still look in vain for any chap on a white charger. Given the government backing there is little likelihood of brawling players and fans like we witnessed in the Central Java Police District Cup, especially on the opening day when the Indonesian president will be at Serang watching the opening game.

The PSSI are not happy but will they really want to take on the government? Meanwhile they hope the Indonesia Super League will kick off at the end of October.

The decision by the Kuwait Football Association to postpone the Gulf Cup by 12 months hasn't only forced a change to my plans for this December. It seems to have had a knock on effect in the region with many leagues, well the Arabian Gulf League at least, having built their fixture lists around a one month break for the international tournament.

The AGL will at least go ahead with its Super League this weekend but until know there seems to be confusion as to whether the season will start next week as planned. Many are in favour of delaying the start not least because the weather will be a tad cooler come September!

However moves are afoot to persuade Kuwait to go ahead with the competition in December as planned and it seems no final decision has been made yet.

Once, just for once it would be nice to live somewhere I could actually rely on a football fixture list!

It is a name that has been making waves for a while now within the small world of Singapore football but blistering 10 minute hat trick against Liverpool in the Lion City Cup will have turned a few more heads beyond the city state.

Ikhsan Fandi, son of Singapore football's favourite son Fandi, hit three as the NFA came from 3-0 down to level against the kids of Liverpool to bring some cheer to local fans at a time when the local league is struggling for its existence.

Ikhsan, along with his brother Irfan, have long been tipped for success in their chosen careers and not just 'cos of their dad. They can both play a bit as well. They have both enjoyed stints in Spain and Chile and of course do not forget the Arsenal connection; when their old man was coaching Pelita Jaya in Indonesia they made their mark at the Arsenal Soccer School where they had coach Dale Mulholland drooling even though they were not yet teens!

Of course scoring a hat trick in a friendly game is no guarantee of a glorious career in football, just ask Yaya Sanogo, but for Ikhsan at least it is one more entry on an already impressive looking football resume.

What's that I hear you say? What is the latest on the book?

Well, I have just returned from a trip to England and while I was there I got to meet up with the publisher. And a very productive meet it was to. They offered some useful tips, no not rewriting the whole bloody thing, but to provide a thread running the seemingly disparate chapters.

This is why I am happy to work with these guys. As a writer it is easy to get so immersed in your work you need an outsider to take a look and offer some neutral feedback and that is what happened. The easiest thing in the world is to go off and get thing self published willy nilly but I don't want to write just one book. I have a whole series planned; get the first one wrong and that will be the end of the line.

So, starting next week, I will be revisiting the work to try and link the whole piece into one and in the finest literary traditions I will be starting in a hotel room near a bar!

What is that I hear you say? Who am I working with? None other than Ockley Books and In Bed With Maradona.

Not only am I excited about the book, I am also genuinely excited about working with these guys to get the book done as professionally as possible. As Wham once sang, yeah I know, sorry, 'if you're gonna do, do it right'!