Sunday, September 16, 2012

Lesson learn from Terengganu crisis

The most under achieved team for this season, a side full with talent, young and great support from the terraces, but somehow they found themself finished the season with empty handed.

I really admire the squad they have, full with international exposed players. From Sharbinee, Marzuki, Muslim, Faizal, Zubir, Mazlizam, Joseph Kalang, Ashaari Shamsudin, Ismail Farouqi, Manaf Mamat, Hadi Yahya and so on.

The downfall started when coach Haji Irfan Bakti left the team for Selangor. Then Mat Zan Mat Aris was the successor, did reasonably well until the team eliminated from AFC cup by neighbour Kelantan. The fans consistently presure the Terengganu FA to sack him, and the FA finaly did that. Mat Zan was 'rested' from his duty.

Then came in the familiar figure of James Butler. He was known for his unsuccesful spell with champions Kelantan. But the point is not about the coaches appointment, but how i see the route cause for the whole issue.

When Muslim Ahmad and Ismail Faruqi were suspended by Butler for what he claimed as indiscplinary conduct, the whole nation strucked with suprise. Both side went to the media, exchange words and blamed each others. Then the matter get worsen when Sharbinee shockingly conceed a school boy error to gave Kedah an equaliser in a Malaysia  Cup match in Kuala Terengganu.

Butler could not accept the manner of how Sharbinee gave away the own goal, branded the goalkeeper as a disgrace. For me, the more i saw the replay, the more i suspect that it was a deliberate, own goal. For what reason? i believe only Allah and Sharbinee knows.

The whole saga also closely monitored by the state head of executive, A Menteri Besar. Dato Ahmad Said publicly dissapointed with the situation, warned the players and backed Butler. For me, a comment from a top Government figure on any footballing matters is totally un acceptable. And he is not even the Terengganu FA president.

I only see an element of unprofesional going on in Terengganu FA crisis. I suspect there is 'player power'culture in the Terengganu camp, state Government direct interference in the team's day to day affair and suspiciuos match fixing behaviour. And i am worry with these negative development.  These are the same old story we had 20 years ago, it seems that we are stuck in the same spot and not moving anywhere. Looked like there is no real profesionalism in our football. I hope i was wrong. The other states or clubs must learn from this crisis.

Tuesday, September 11, 2012

2 years on, the V league produced better footballers than ours

Playing against any Vietnamese side is a always a difficult task to tell the truth. As far as i remember since the 2001 SEA games in Kuala Lumpur, eventhough we managed to beat them in that 2-0 victory, i noticed that Vietnam progressed tremendously as the years gone by.

Plus with some encouraging campaign in the AFF cup, Vietnam's football deem to be looked full with potential, dynamic and moving forward in the right direction. This is what we can called as progressed.

As for tonight's game in Shah Alam, a bitter, severe dissapointment dominating my emosion. Right from the kick off, the visiting team were looked more composed, mentally prepared and always threatening on every movement they've created.

My Tactical analysist:

MALAYSIA:

Datuk K rajagobal (DKRG) used this game as for his final phase of experiment, like giving a full international debut for ATM's Cristie Jayaseelan and the return of his old time favorite forward Zaquan Adha. Mahali Jasuli was given a holding role when replacing the struggling Gary Steven Robbart.

Malaysia start off with the flat 4-4-2 formation. On individual basis, below par performance by Wan Zack Haikal, Zaquan, Norshahrul, Gary Steven, inexperience Cristie and out of sort Safiq Rahim make things worst for the home team.

There were so many misplaced passes, static bodies in our own half, very predictable when the attack reached the final third and we were forced to play long ball due to the great effect of high pressing games by the vietnamese.

Malaysia looked clueless, disjointed and often gave the ball away cheaply. Was it due to our players inability to perform? or was it due to other factor? I discovered some suprised facts on why we unable to perform tonight. It was due to the opponent's factor.

VIETNAM:

Started with 4-2-3-1 and often diverted to 4-5-1 when lost the possesion, the visiting side opted to play with short and effective passes. There were always a small triangle formed when they have the ball with each players in 7 meters distance between them. This make it easier for the passer to find support and other options when needed.

Vietnam started their defence from the forward line. Whenever Aidil or Faizal have the ball and opted to play the ball short for Safiq or Gary, we can see one of the forward will close down the passer, while the other 2 marked down the full backs. This high line pressing successfully forced the passer to pumped it long upfield. This was where we usualy lost the ball. Forced error due to high pressing by Vietnam.

Another factor of their success tonight, was due to the understanding of one touch and move football. Its about pass and be at the right place. Every Vietnam move involved with at least minimum of 3 players. And all of them were similarly identical in term of technical ability. When the fullbacks operating on the flanks, the defensive midfielder always behind him to give any support and options. In between of forward line and midfield, there were so many movement from the running midfielders and usualy they received the splitting pass that confused the Malaysian rearguard.

SUMMARY:

Vietnam truly deserved this convincing 0-2 victory, and i thought the best team won tonight. What i realy impressed with, was the fact that they were technically superior than our players. Vietnam successfully adopting total football and they play to their strength. Vietnam is on the right track, if not the same path as the Koreans when they build their football 30 years ago. This victory proved that their V league produced better technical players than our Super league.