You must be kidding (05/07/1998 - Sunday Mail)

Publication : SUM
Date : 05/07/1998
Headline : You must be kidding


BRAZIL have it. So do England and Germany. Virtually the whole world have
it.
But the way Malaysian soccer critics see it, we can live without it.
So, they slammed the FAM for trying to have a national team. As far, as
they are concerned, the national squad became ashes at the Jakarta SEA
Games last year. No resuscitation. No hope.
When FAM recently called up several l players from that failed `97 squad
to join forces with the Olympic 2000 in forming a new-look national team,
certain quarters were quick to take the national association to task.
But where in the world is there a country with no national team?
Sure, the FAM did announce the national team had been disbanded following
their dismal performances in the SEA Games where Malaysia even lost to
lowly Laos.
Yes, you can disband, disperse or dismantle the national side. But did
the FAM say they cannot reorganise, restructure or replant the national
team?
As the critics take it as dead and buried, do Malaysia have to live
forever without a national team?
Why do we have a M-League in the first place?
And if the top players from the M-League cannot play for the country,
then what is the purpose of the League?
The critics can argue that FAM have already decided to use Olympic 2000
as the new national team.
Come on, be realistic. A national team comprising 19-year-olds who are
now at the bottom of Premier One?
Maybe the critics are against some of the national players who have let
the country down. But what about those who played their hearts out but
happened to be in the same team in Jakarta?
And what about other young players who dazzle in the Premier League but
for state teams and not Olympic 2000?
Do the critics really believe that the present Olympic 2000 team can
stand in as the national team and move on to become the best in South-
east-Asia, let alone Asia?
Can they make the quantum leap from M-League strugglers to kingpins in
the region?
Look at Malaysia's 1-1 draw against China, a team who just missed out in
qualifying for the ongoing France World Cup, on Tuesday in a friendly
match.
Reinforced and stabilised by several experienced seniors, the Malaysian
side, comprising mostly Olympic 2000 players, held their own against the
formidable Chinese.
That surely would have boosted the confidence of the Olympic lads and
inspire them to play with renewed faith in themselves for the honours of
Malaysia.
Don't say China never tried hard. The Chinese team are known for their
national pride and patriotism and the last thing they wanted was to be
held by a Malaysian team playing with mostly youths.