2 biggest failure by Harimau Malaya

Deep disappointment still dominating our feelings since that tragic elimination day in Bangkok. But to face the reality, we must soldier on. The fact that our team were not properly prepared for this year's edition.

Poor results in friendlies, poor players selection and poor tactics lead us to where we are now. We must have the courage to forget the defeat, keep our heads up, and look forward to the future. But the team's management must look into these 2 biggest letdown. I can't say it was something can't be forgiven, but the management and the players must think about this seriuosly...and they owed us big time!

Firstly, the failure to defend the cup. The biggest reason behind it was because poor players selection. Thailand have around 6 to 7 players from their Thai Premier League champions, Mhuang Thong FC. While Malaysia have only one treble winner player in the starting eleven. The squad selection largely based on past reputation, rather than based on merit or current form.

Our engine room were marshalled by an out of form Selangor playmaker, who finished the 2012 season empty handed. He himself dropped several times by Irfan Bakti during the season eventhough he was fit to play. His fellow midfielder was struggling domesticaly with the relegated Kedah. So much talk about the absence of so many treble winners Kelantan players, notably Badhri Radzi, Indra Putra and Norfarhan Mohd.

For me, the national team must be build around a winning club in the league. The Malaysian head coach was never tried Badhri, Indra and Farhan during the team's friendly games. Why? Can you imagine if Badhri, Shakir Shaari, Indra and Farhan playing for Harimau Malaya? It would be totaly different tune of football, a more inventive side which is always looked hungry for success.

Secondly, The team failed to respect the fans by not wearing BLACK & YELLOW Jersey. A true colour of a tiger. If any of you think that this is not supposed to be an issue at first place, then you might need to remember that thousands of fans spend their money to buy the original kit of BLACK & YELLOW from the day it was launched by the main sponsor.

Majority of fans came to the stadium with the B&Y kit, they came with passion, pride and sense of belonging to the team. And majority of them frustrated every time the team came out of the tunnel wearing the blue kit. Does the team management aware of this? or they just ignored the ultras message everytime we sang the Negaraku? The big Tifo displaying a giant B&Y jersey was an indication how much its mean to the fans by wearing that shirt.

These 2 failure need to be addressed urgently. The fans deserve a better performance. The team owed us big time. Please rectify these failures before next year's Asia Cup qualifier which wil be started in february.