Growing Italian influence in Malaysian football

It was one of the happiest day in my life. Finaly i had the chance to meet face to face with a group of people who have same believe as me. A unique sporting culture from Italy is making its presence here in Malaysia. The number is growing positively, and i am very proud to be part of it.

I believe for Malaysia to be successfull in football, we must keep our option wide open. learning is a continous process, we must not heavily relying too much on traditionaly British based football, be it at management level, commercialy, coaching method and also youth development.

A successfull business model for a new looked Juventus Football Club by the Agnelli family impressed me soo much. The new Stadium, Club Museum, Club megastore and how the club attached with the Turin community has transformed the old Lady from a traditionaly run Italian club into a global brand.

Not to forget the winning mentality of the Italians. This is what Malaysian Lacking so much. And this is the area where we as a supporters, have a role to play. To promote discipline and great ressilience mentality among supporters and players in general. To achieve this, we need to learn something from the Italian way.

And finaly the Agnelli's transformation impact reached Malaysia few years ago. Yesterday, me and the Juventus Fan Club Malaysia were invited to a local football talkshow 'Kaki Bola'. It was also my debut on TV.

A quick snap shot with host Kieran after the show. He and co host Aidid were very friendly toward us during the entire one hour show.

Learn the langguage, learn the sporting mentality, learn the Italian Football.

''Siamo noi Siamo noi!! I Campioni D Italia Siamo Noi!!''

''Salutate La Capolista'' (3 X)

''Oooo Fino Alla Fine Forza JUVENTUS''

A nervy come back

A big relief for the whole nation as Harimau Malaya staged a rare come back in a raining Asian Cup qualifying clash against Yemen in Shah Alam.

We used to conceeding soft goals, trailing and struggled to get a firm performance, but tonight the team managed to overcame the deficit and killed the game off.

A narrow 2-1 victory put Malaysia back into the race for that assuming second spot after Qatar in this group.

Malaysia looked physicaly better towards the final 20 minutes as datuk K Rajagobal's men pilling constant preasure from either flanks. Wan Zack Haikal and Azamuddin Akil seems enjoying the wet pitch, tormenting the Yemeni's full backs with their trickery twist and turning.

Mahali Jasuli sloppy defending earlier gave away the opening goal of the game for the visitor. But he amended his mistake by venturing forward everytime Wan Zack was in possesion. And he was part of the build up that led to the equaliser before half time.

Second Half:

I thought that we were improved technically after the break, Safiq Rahim sprayed the ball around quicker this time. The team involved with series of one touch football, and it worked well against the tiring visitors.

There were couple of glorious opportunity squandered by Nurshahrul in particular. A well taken header by substitutes Khyril Muhymeen killed the game off. And the Kedah forward proved me wrong this time by scoring the match winner. A lower division striker done the job at international level? I am sure there will be more debate on this afterwards.

Not a complicated job for the back four today, they were magnificently protected by the midfielders. Khairul Fahmi rarely tested in goal. A determined Badhri Radzi saw him earned his first yellow card at international level. Ashari Shamsudin's left footed cross was the only impact he made this evening.

I can't choose any obvious man of the match toninght. It could be Safiq, or Wan Zack, or Azamuddin. This is due to their overall team effort, every player look after one and another. It was not a classy performance by Malaysia, but we managed to get away with great courage. A first win after four straight defeats came on the right time and at the right place. Three points secured, thats all matters.

congrates Harimau Malaya!

There is still time for reconciliation

Malaysia humbled by Saudi Arabia 1-4 in an 'exhibition show' in Shah Alam tonight.

It was a first half to forget. We just managed to have one shot on target via the ever green striker Amri Yahyah. And he was the only player who did not show any fear towards the visiting team.

Defence:

khairul Fahmi having an average performance, not so brilliant, but i thought he could do better against the second goal. The first goal was a soft one. The Malaysian defenders should have done better with the incoming crosses from the left. Faizal Muhamad misjudged header allowed the Saudi striker to head home past the helpless Khairul Fahmi.

Faizal - Fadhly partnership looked shacky and lack of commanding qualities. It suprised me, considering they used to play together during Harimau Muda days. Understanding between them should not be an issue.

Not sure with Asra's fitness level, as he was substituted before the break. Mahali was assigned to venture further up to support Azamudin Akil, but i just felt that he always outnumbered, isolated on that right flank and finaly lost the ball possesion.

Midfield:

I summarized Badhri Radzi's debut as an average display. It was not a total failure. So as to Shakir Shaari, he was working hard to protect the back four and tried to emulate his Kelantan form. There was short spell where the pair managed to hold the ball well, link up together for short passess. I thought their main weakness were during off the ball defending. Lack of mobility and aggresion allowing the Saudi's to move the ball with great pace.

Khyril Muhymeen just as i expected. Not to criticise him as a person, but his premier league football has turn him into a lesser player. Looked struggling at the left flank, easily clamped down by the opponent, and always forced to turn back and pass the ball backward. My suggestion is to drop him as long as he is playing in the lower division.

Azamuddin Akil lack of invention on the right flank means the supply for the forward line also being totaly limited. There was no penetrative run from the right side, lack of accurate crosses from the right and failed to link up well with Mahali Jasuli. I dont see him as an ideal starter for the Yemen clash.

Forward:

Amri - Nurshahrul partnership should be retained, but depending on Nurshahrul's injury level. The later had one glorious opportunity in the second half, but his weak shot comfortably dealt by the Saudi GK.

Second half:

Norazlan Razali brilliant display should be rewarded for this Friday's game against Yemen. Clean catch against crosses and high balls, and his agility enhance the defenders confidence level.

Aidil Zafuan had a normal game, nothing special for me. Helmi Rameli looked nervous after being left out from the national team for quite some times now. Zubir Azmi was magnificent at left back. Full of energy, constantly supporting his left winger and did backtracking job with discipline.  K rueben looked solid, more physical presence on right back.

Safiq Rahim goal suprised me, and he managed to proved me wrong with his display. His introduction alongside K Gurusamy worked well, pressing the Saudis further deep. But strangely, the pressing won't last long, as the Saudi responded with other two goals late towards the end of the game.

Gopi impressed me with his energetic run on the left flank. Young and strong, the Pahang winger should start instead of Khyril for this friday. Ashari had a quiet night, and had one effort sailed above the cross bar.

Manaf mamat intelligent play fed safiq for our only goal. His movement and creating rooms for others to support made him a strong candidate to push for a place this friday.
Hadi Yahya, meanwhile failed to make an impact. I am not convince by his display tonight.

suggestions Line up

I suggest the following first eleven for our head coach to consider. I pick this eleven based on stability and work as a unit to face Yemen:

4-4-2 formation

1. Norazlan 2. K Rueben 3. Aidil  4. Fadhly 5. Zubir Azmi 6. K Gurusamy 7. Shakir Shaari 8. Mahali Jasuli (Right wingback) 9. Gopi (Left wing) 10. Amri 11. Nurshahrul

The rise of the 'Twin Destroyer'

Probably the most improved player this season. Playing together with an established Malaysian international Midfielder, S Veenod impressed me with his determination in the middle of the park.

Fit in well with Irfan Bakti's style of play, the former USM Fc player proved that the team can rely on him in for giving that extra protection to the back four.  In fact, he made the differences since Safiq Rahim left Selangor this year.

Role and responsibility:

This year Selangor prefered for a disciplined lineup, rather than a more adventurous side. A pair of hardworking midfielder enhance the chance of gaining better ball possesion by winning every second ball. Aggresive in nature, S Veenod and K Gurusamy constant running from box to box, allowing flair players like Amri Yahyah and S Kunanlan more freedom in attack.

Superb performance by both of them during the massive victory over big spenders JDT last weekend, followed by tonight encouraging display against Tampines Rovers in the AFC Cup, I thought these two great stallions were the unsung heros.

For so many occasions, they were succesfully closing down the opponents movement by shutting the potential route path. They were quick to get behind the ball to do the defending job. When the opponent managed to get past one of the back four, either one of them will do the back tracking and performed that timely tackles to clear the danger.

Great future ahead:

The dynamic duo will have a bright future in the game, at club level and also at international level. If they stay fit, i see both of them will follow the footsteps of other Selangor greats such as K Sambagamaran, P Maniam, K Gunalan and not forgetting the current legend in Amri yahyah.

They play with no fear, stick to the task and always give maximum effort for the team. Dictating, enforcing the midfield  is not an easy job. But the 'Twin Destroyer' are ready to stamp their authority in Malaysian football.

Ultras live within our soul

We live in a very demanding world. Full of obstacles, unsolved issues, difficult human behaviour, cultured society and the great sense of urgency to move forward in whatever we do in our routine daily task.

Sometimes, in whatever we do in our life, some of us opted for a more radical approach. The fishermen have always a choice to be made. They would go for simple catch near the shore, or planning for a deep ocean trip and searching for a bigger catch. For a more ambitious group of fishermen, they would dare to go far in order to gain heavier and bigger fish. It is a matter of strong will, drive and passion in whatever you do in your life.

Another example, Malaysia in the past have so many charismatic leaders fought for our liberation from the imperial powers. Each of them have different character, different approach in leading the people. Some of them have strong persuasive skills, great negotiator to close a deal. And some of them went for an extreme solutions by using weapons and engaged in an open battle.

However, both set of characters having the same objective and same goal, that is to obtain independence. And both of them driven by great passion. Leaders normaly born within a group of people with the same set of passion, the feel of belonging for what they believe and what they are fighting for.

These are the example of ultra mentality. It is live within us everyday. Everybody have their extreme side. But the ultra mentality does not turn you to become an evil person. Being 'Últra minded' have nothing to do with negative character. The extreme part in you will drive you forward, bringing the best out of you.

The same goes to some section of football fans in Malaysia with this 'Ultra mentality'. It is the extreme part in their supportive behaviour towards what they believe as their idolised football team. Being expresive in nature, the Ultras will speak out for the betterment of their team and football league in general. And being expresive sometimes, to display their great pleasure or otherwise.

The urge from deep. An instinctive behaviour. Inner self awareness with great sense of belonging. These are the common characters of the Ultras. They are passionate football fans and majority of other spectator still find it hard to understand them. This 'supporters conflict' happening now in Malaysian league.

My advice to the general spectators who went to the stadium for a peace 'eat-burger-while-watch-football' kind of thing, please change your attitude and give some respect for the Ultras. They are the one who generate true football atmosphere, drive the players running for the entire 90 minutes.

The Ultras is massively part of our football community. The other spectators, football authority must put an effort to understand them and their supportive nature.

Why we need Badhri Radzi for Yemen party

The news broke out today's afternoon as i read it carefully, again and again. Finaly the national team coach agreed to hand the Kelantan captain a taste of international football in Harimau Malaya's colour.

Fans nationwide welcome the move, suggesting that the coach is now desperate to rebuild his squad after disasterous AFF Cup campaign and series of below par performance by his trusted 'core players'.

Based on our first Asian Cup qualifying match in Doha, i could say our team have a decent chance to compete, at least in this group. We may have well beaten by Qatar technicaly, but in term of tactical approach, work ethics and play as a team, Malaysia would have a slim chance against a supposedly lesser gulf team in Bahrain and Yemen.

At international games, football were played in a very fast pace with limited time to think longer with the ball on your feet. Players need to think ahead of time, what to do if you receive the ball. When to release the ball to your teammate and what to do when you loose the ball.

With limited pool of talented players, Datuk K Rajagobal somehow were force to pick Badhri Radzi after his previous experiment has failed to deliver positive result. And i sense  a wind of change in Malaysian camp in term of style of play.

When you have a quality midfielder in Badhri's calibre, the game plan will certainly build around the midfield area and i expect better ball distribution by Harimau Malaya. If he will be paired with fellow kelantanese midfielder, Shakir Shaari, then a settled pair in the engine room will help to generate genuine and solid understanding during the match.

A Shakir - Badhri combination in midfield will give the coach an extra aid in term of tactical flexibility. The coach wont have to spend so much time just to gel the midfield together, as they were playing for each other for years now. Shakir know how Badhri's style of play, And Badhri understand Shakir's role from deep.

The pair, and most likely to be joined by another Red Warrior's NurFarhan Muhd in the wing, would guarantee a fluid flowing attacking football. Positioning, timely measured range of pass and accuracy are vital at international stage. The time is limitted, the coach have so little time to pick a team and no room for any suicidal experiment. A familliar face in midfield will ensure understanding and strengthen the team's togetherness. Hope Badhri Radzi will do well for Malaysia.