Success does not come overnight

Subahan wants reality to sink in, start afresh with football as a national agenda

Wednesday, August 07, 2013 - 10:12

by Tony Mariadass

The Malay Mail

IT is a long and winding road for Malaysian football before it can stand tall.
National team manager Datuk Seri Subahan Kamal (pic) said the faster this reality sinks in, the better.
“I am not offering excuses for the current standard of Malaysian football, but merely stating the facts,” said the FA of Malaysia vice-president.
“Many are under the illusion that we are already world beaters after our AFF Cup and Sea Games triumphs. It must be understood that these victories were just the beginning of a long road ahead.
“We cannot transform the national team overnight.
“Yes, we are doing everything possible to fast-track our improvement, but it is not that simple.
“We have to be realistic and start by topping the Asean countries first. As a matter of fact, the standard among Asean countries is almost the same. Our aim is to be consistent against these teams and reach the top first before moving on to Asian teams.
“Even at the Asian level, we should be aiming to be among the top 10 before we can even think of winning the Asian Cup.”
Although it has been said that football's progress is a national agenda, Subahan feels not enough has been done to put it on the right track.
“FA of Malaysia and the National Sports Council (NSC) have a joint committee, but I feel more has to be done than just setting up a committee.
“I feel that the sports minister and even other relevant cabinet ministers should work closely with the FA of Malaysia to bolster Malaysian football.”
Every aspect of the game has to be looked at, said Subahan, not just short-term programmes or instant success.
“There is no instant formula for success in football. It has to be a long-term programme and starting from the grassroots. We cannot address Malaysian soccer woes from the top.
“We have to start looking at the lack of or poor state of football fields in schools. We need to have programmes in place for the young in schools, districts and states. We need to have high calibre coaches placed under these programmes. There needs to be proper monitoring.
“The fact is that although we claim we have gone professional and our players are professionals, the general standard of play among the majority of them is average.”
Subahan also hopes to see more Malaysians play for clubs in Asia.
“Many went abroad but returned in no time. We need players who are mentally strong and serious about being professional footballers with high goals to achieve.
“That is the only way our present batch of players can improve while we wait for better quality and trained players from the grassroots programmes to arrive.
“It has to be a two-pronged attack. While having our footballers play for top Asian clubs is an immediate plan to rectify the ills of the game in Malaysia, the grassroots programmes will be our long-term plan to have better foundations and a steady stream of quality players coming through in the future.”
Patience is the key word, said Subahan, while there is a concerted effort by all the related parties.
“Only then will we see light at the end of the tunnel.”

Kamikaze in Japan?

Rajagobal is damned if he does and damned if he doesn't

Monday, August 05, 2013 - 14:05

by Tony Mariadass

Location: 

PETALING JAYA

WHO is responsible for the national team’s debacle in Japan last week where they lost three friendly matches against clubs and conceded a total of 12 goals?
Critics already want national coach Datuk K. Rajagobal to be sacked for having taken the team to Japan during the fasting month and then admitting that it was a mistake as the majority of the players did not have the energy to play two of the three matches as they were held late morning and afternoon.
The national team lost 2-0 to J-League’s Shimizu S-Pulse — this game was played at 7pm - and then 5-0 to Shonan Bellmare and Tokyo Verdey, games that were played in three halves of 30 minutes.
It was a case of damned if you do, damned if you don’t for Rajagobal.
He was desperate for practice matches prior to playing against Barcelona FC on Aug 10 and as none was forthcoming, he decided to go to Japan at the invitation of Japan FA.
Critics say Rajagobal, as an experienced coach, should have known better than to take the team for the friendlies against the Japanese clubs when his players were not at their physical best.
“With hindsight, I should not have taken the team to Japan. But at the time I needed the matches and our players were keen to play. And the final decision to go to Japan was endorsed by the FA of Malaysia,” said Rajagobal.
“I am not shifting the blame to anyone. Yes, I wanted the matches, but it was with the good intention of seeing the team prepare for the matches ahead — Barcelona FC and the Asian Cup campaign."
But critics say Rajagobal should not have put Malaysia in such an embarrassing situation.
The knives would also have been out for Rajagobal if he had not gone to Japan. He would have been slammed for fearing mere clubs.
“As far as I am concerned, I did everything in the best interests of the team. Yes, conceding 12 goals was embarrassing, but we still learnt in the process,” remarked Rajagobal.
While there are hints the other coaches, ex-internationals and even some in the media are conspiring to get rid of him, Rajagobal stressed that there was no such move among the players.
Rajagobal said although he respected the views of the critics and the media, he had a job to do and he wanted nothing to distract him from that.

I will take the blame, says Subahan

NATIONAL team manager Datuk Seri Subahan Kamal will shoulder the blame for taking the team for friendly matches in Japan during the fasting month.
“If critics are looking for a scapegoat, I will take the fall. In any case, as team manager, I endorsed the trip and I take full responsibility for it, although it was a collective decision,” said vice-president of FA of Malaysia, Subahan, after the national team were roundly criticised for losing in Japan.
“As far as I am concerned, there is no issue at all in having agreed to accept the Japan FA's invitation to play their clubs or agreeing to play during the fasting month,” he added.
"Frankly, I am shocked at the criticism hurled at us for it."
Subahan said the FA of Malaysia saw the Japan FA's invitation as the start of a long-term relationship, with the latter having agreed to assist Malaysia in regaining their past glory.
“Accepting Japan’s offer was nothing to be ashamed about as they have evolved into a world-class team.
“Our losses to their club teams should be looked at as a learning curve.”
He said it was unfair to hold national coach Datuk K. Rajagobal responsible for the losses in Japan or going there during the fasting month.
“We are doing our level best to prepare the team for the Asian Cup and it is surprising that every move we make is being slammed. I wonder if there is a hidden agenda behind all the criticism.
“What I cannot understand is why the past internationals and coaches are jumping on the bandwagon when they should know better and support us.”
Subahan said neither he nor Rajagobal should be judged until after the Asian Cup is over.
“We have been given a task to complete with KPIs, so let us be judged at the end of it. If we do not meet the KPIs, we will move on. We are not here to occupy this seat forever. We are here to do a job and we are fully committed to it. And as patriots, we want to make our nation proud.”

Final respects

Monday, August 05, 2013 - 14:18

Location: 

MALACCA

MEMORABILIA: Chua's winning medals and photos at his home in Malacca

 

 

THE late national hockey forward Chua Boon Huat’s home in Malacca saw a steady stream of friends and past hockey players after his body was brought back from Kuala Lumpur last Friday.
Chua was killed in a car accident early Thursday morning. The 33-year-old was in training with the national team for the Asia Cup in Ipoh from Aug 24 to Sept 1.
When Mailsport visited Chua's home in Taman Semabok Perdana on Saturday, the house was full of wreaths as people kept coming to pay him their last respects.
Among those present were members of the 1975 Word Cup, including skipper Datuk N. Sri Shanmugathan, Wong Choon Chin, K. Balasingham and R. Pathmarajah.
Chua’s mother Tan Kuai Neo, despite mourning the loss of the youngest of her four children, was a picture of composure as she welcomed the visitors and thanked them for their presence.
“Boon Huat must surely be happy.
All his friends have been coming to see him and console me since Thursday.
Although I was distraught, I noticed the big crowd at the hospital,” said the 64-year-old.
“I am sad that I have lost Boon Huat, but I am happy that he had touched so many lives.”
In memory of Chua, a table with all the medals he had won since he made his international debut at the 1998 Commonwealth Games as a 17-year-old was placed close to the coffin.
The funeral proceedings begin at 11am. The national hockey players will be the coffin bearers and form a guard of honour when the coffin, draped in the Malaysian flag, is taken to the hearse to proceed to the Malacca Memorial Park Crematorium at the Jelutong Chinese Cemetery in Gajah Berang.
The cortege will leave Chua’s residence at 9 Jalan SP9, Taman Semabok Perdana in the afternoon once the final rites are concluded.

Farewell, Apek

 

 

Friday, August 02, 2013 - 11:50

Location: 

PETALING JAYA

FORMER hockey international K. Logan Raj, reminisces his playing days with the "inspirational, outstanding" warrior Chua Boon Huat.

“HEY Sauerkraut!”, Chua Boon Huat calls out to the German junior team captain, Timo Wess. “I’ll score one goal. You best mark me tightly!”
“Not while I am on the field!,” came Wess’ reply, his German accent thicker than Tom Selleck’s moustache.
We were playing Germany in the Four-Nation invitational tournament in Poznan, Poland in 2000. Malaysia was trailing four goals to nothing with barely 10 minutes left to lay.
The Germans were running circles around us and we were tired to the bone. We kept the game as simple and direct as possible knowing full well the main intention was to keep the score down.
We collectively agreed there was no need to expose ourselves further. The scoreline completely reflected the disparity in standards. We knew we were playing against a team of superior calibre. Everyone gave up and decided to play safe. Well, everyone except for my captain, Chua.
He was running all over the field, zipping from one end to the other, imposing his huge frame against the equally buff Germans. He played as if the score didn’t matter. He wanted the Germans to know that Malaysians were never, and will never be afraid of them.
We had a free hit at the top of the circle. He walked past me and said: “I am going to get a goal now. You just get the ball past the first defender. It will be a goal.”
It wasn’t a thought or a half-baked promise. It was a declaration. Resolute and concrete. I nodded and conveyed the instruction to my teammate who was about to take the hit.
Wess stood beside Chua. There clearly was some banter between the both of them. Chua was effectively riling the German skipper up. A fierce shot was unleashed into the D, right past the first defender. Chua shrugged Wess aside and deflected the ball between the German goalkeeper’s legs. The umpire whistled to indicate a goal was scored for Malaysia. Wess shook his head dejectedly. Chua was all smiles, completely oblivious that we were still losing.
I congratulated Chua and asked him why was this goal so important as we headed back to our half. He said: “When I play a game, I must leave a mark. So people will know I was here and that I made a difference.”
Chua passed away yesterday in a tragic accident. While the nation mourns the loss of an amazing player - who gave his all on the field - I reminisce in the joy and colour he brought to the people closest to him.
He played the game of life and left a huge indelible mark. His presence inspired many and his loss will certainly be one of the greatest.

'We will live the dream for you'

 

National squad pledges to qualify for World Cup

Friday, August 02, 2013 - 12:24 - The Malay Mail

by Tony Mariadass

Location: 

PETALING JAYA

CHUA: His experience will be greatly missed by the national team

WINNING the Asia Cup this month and qualifying for the World Cup in Holland next year is the only way the national hockey team deems fit to pay tribute to teammate Chua Boon Huat who died in a car accident yesterday morning.
National team manager George Koshy, still in shock over the demise of the player, said members of the team could not believe that he was gone.

"All the players were at the hospital by 7am and stayed on until the hearse left for Malacca in the afternoon. All of them were very upset. The least we can do for Chua, who was looking forward to the Asia Cup, is to fulfil his dream to qualify for the World Cup," said Koshy.
"We are most going to miss Chua because since his return to the national team, he had become an integral part of the team. He played a strong leadership role in the team and his experience will be greatly missed.
"Chua was a big motivator for the young players and has left a vacuum in the team. And as much as we want to change things, we can't."
Koshy said that two weeks ago, Chua had tattooed the team's motto, 'Living the dream', on his hand and he was determined to win the Asia Cup.
Yesterday, Mailsport carried an article describing how bullish Chua was about winning the Asia Cup.
As Koshy put it: "We now have to live the dream for Chua."

Millions of ringgit down the drain?

 

 

Friday, August 02, 2013 - 12:11  The Malay Mail

STATISTICS on the number of continents, countries and foreign players that have graced the Malaysian football league since it went semi-pro in 1989 are mind-boggling.
The question is, how much has the foreign legion contributed to Malaysian football thus far?
There were two occasions when foreign players were barred from the Malaysian league — first in 1999 but the ban was lifted three years later, and again in 2009, but foreigners were allowed to come in again this year.
During the ban, a bigger pool of calibre local players were available for the national team and Malaysia’s ranking in 2002, before foreign players were readmitted, was 128. And in 2009, it was 160.
Here are some facts on foreign players in the Malaysian League:

• They came from six confederations. Union of European Football Associations (UEFA), Confederation of African Football (CAF), Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF), South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL), Oceania (OFC) and Asian Football Confederation (AFC).
• They came from 71 countries (Europe . 22; Africa . 22; CONCACAF . 5; South America. 5, Oceania . 5 and Asia . 15).
• A total of 406 foreigners have played here since 1989 Now the billion-ringgit question:
• How much has been spent on these foreign players over the years? A billion ringgit?
• Were those who played for Malaysian teams all of top quality or were the teams shortchanged?
• Did these players help raise Malaysian football standards?
• If they did, why is Malaysia ranked 159 now?
• Other than playing for the teams, were the foreigners used for coaching clinics or any promotional events by the teams?

My question is, wouldn’t the money spent on foreign players been better used if it had been channelled into development programmes? This would have defi nitely raised the standard of local football and produced a better supply of quality players for the national team.
Yes, we had seen some notable names play in Malaysia like Juan Manuel Arostegui (Argentina), Laszlo Repasi (Hungary), Merzagua Abderrazak (Morocco), Emile M’Bouh M’bouh (Cameroon), Stephen Keshi (Nigeria), Karel Stromisk (Czech Republic), Tony Cottee and David Rocastle (England), Alistair Edwards, Abass Saad and Scott Ollrenshaw (Australia), Fandi Ahmad, K. Kannan, T. Padmanathan, R. Suriamurthi and Malek Awab (Singapore), Piyapong Pue-on (Thailand), Anto Grabo and Zoran Nikolic (Serbia) and Philimon Chipeta (Zambia).
But the majority of the foreign players just made up the numbers and at times were no better than the local players. Foreign players have also misbehaved in Malaysia while there have been cases of teams not paying them or fulfi lling the terms of their contracts. Such negative publicity has not done Malaysian football any good.
Despite all the criteria set by the FA of Malaysia on hiring foreigners, we still get half-baked players and keep hearing of state FAs and clubs picking the wrong players only to dismiss them.
At the end of the day, the loser is Malaysian football.
Just look at our current national team. The local players are earning high wages but the quality of their game is far from satisfactory. The foreign players do not seem to have helped our local players improve despite playing alongside them in the M League. Most of the local players still lack the basics of the game.
With the foreigners playing in key positions in the teams — especially strike-force — it is no wonder that the national team lacks quality strikers.
In fact, the general standard of our national team is below par.
National coach Datuk K. Rajagobal has come under fire for the national team’s poor performance lately, but though he is doing his best to raise the standard of the game, there is only so much he can do.
The world’s best coaches cannot turn the present national team into world beaters overnight because they lack quality. This is the sad truth, but many will not accept it.
Malaysian football has to clean house and start from the base with long-term plans if it desires to move up the ranks — but not by playing ‘A’ international matches which will only see them sink further.
The sooner we accept the reality and see a concerted effort by the clubs, state FAs and the national body the better. Maybe, we will see light at the end of the tunnel.
Otherwise, we will continue to spend huge sums of money on trying to put Malaysian football on the right path but see no returns.
TONY MARIADASS is the consulting
Sports Editor with The Malay Mail. A former
Sports Editor of the paper, he has 27
years of sports writing experience. He can
be reached at tonym@mmail.com.my

State associations must play bigger role

 

Wednesday, July 31, 2013 - 15:26

by Tony Mariadass

Location: 

KUALA LUMPUR

KOK CHI: Empower and assist the state bodies

NATIONAL sports associations should empower and assist the state bodies in order for sporting standards to improve in the country.
Datuk Sieh Kok Chi, honorary secretary of the Olympic Council of Malaysia, strongly feels that the state associations have become weak and do not contribute much to the development of their respective sport.
“The strength of any national body is their affiliates — the state associations. But of late, the majority of state associations have just been making up the numbers,” the veteran sports official points out.
“National bodies concentrate on their own associations, leaving the state bodies to fend for themselves. While in the past the state associations were effective, now they complain of lack of funds and facilities for them to operate efficiently.
“With the National Sports Council also doing development programmes, the state associations have been taking things easy and hardly do any work at the grassroots level.
“It is about time the national bodies paid more attention to the state associations and ensured that they conducted development programmes in accordance with the master plan.”
Kok Chi is puzzled that the state associations are protesting that they do not have the facilities to conduct such programmes because all of them have had enough of these built so that they could host the Malaysia Games, which takes place on a rotational basis.
“It is obvious that something is not right in the states that are grumbling. This is where the national bodies can speak to the respective state governments or sports councils that are in charge of the facilities to make them available.
“I was shocked when I was told that several states do not have tracks for their athletes to train on or for the associations to conduct programmes.
“The national associations must engage their affiliates and assist them wherever possible to ensure that development at the grassroots continues.”
Kok Chi also urges the state associations to be proactive and relevant instead of being satisfied with just sending athletes to the Malaysia Games or national championships.
“The state football associations seems to be the active ones, but that is mainly because of the Malaysian Football League and funding from the FA of Malaysia.
They too have to start doing more work by going to the districts and remote areas in their respective states, drawing up programmes to unearth new talent and conducting courses for coaches, referees and administrators.
“If the national associations leave their affiliates to their own devices, it is the respective sport that will be the loser.”