Glory Days Again for Malaysian Football
What if Indonesia beat Malaysia 4-0 - or more - in the second leg of the AFF Suzuki Cup?
Malaysia may have a comfortable three-goal advantage from the first leg but it's definitely not impossible for Indonesia to claw back from the dead and overturn the tables. And this is precisely why coach K. Rajagobal is preaching caution - it's not over until the fat lady sings. ('What has Datin Rosmah to do with all this??')
I believe over-confidence won't be a problem with Malaysia. However, they'll have to contend with a wounded tiger that now has nothing to lose. And a hostile crowd that is bound to be abusive... fanatical supporters who place the blame for the 3-0 defeat on the laser beam morons. (Would the result be different had there not been this incident?)
But despite the expected pressure and onslaught, I feel Malaysia will come out tops. That's because this team has one very crucial characteristic: they know how to defend. It's something they have proven during the second leg of the semi-final against Vietnam - after getting a 2-0 lead at the Bukit Jalil Stadium, they held on in the return leg. And one of the reasons for that is the presence of a very reliable goalkeeper in Khairul Fahmi Che Mat, plus defenders who don't give much space to the oppositions' attackers.
Anyway, whatever the result in Jakarta, one thing is obvious - this is the best Malaysian football team in years... probably in a few decades. I'd say the last time we had a team to be proud of was the one that qualified for the Moscow Olympics in 1980. (Click below to watch the winning goal against South Korea in the qualifications final in 1979)
That was when we had Hasan Sani, James Wong and Zainal Abidin (who had started out as a defender). After that 1979 team, there were just disappointments for Malaysia.
It's a great time f! or us a ll. Having this team has been a great morale booster for Malaysians and we hope the players will continue to bring glory to us all. It feels so good to be a Malaysian!
Malaysia may have a comfortable three-goal advantage from the first leg but it's definitely not impossible for Indonesia to claw back from the dead and overturn the tables. And this is precisely why coach K. Rajagobal is preaching caution - it's not over until the fat lady sings. ('What has Datin Rosmah to do with all this??')
I believe over-confidence won't be a problem with Malaysia. However, they'll have to contend with a wounded tiger that now has nothing to lose. And a hostile crowd that is bound to be abusive... fanatical supporters who place the blame for the 3-0 defeat on the laser beam morons. (Would the result be different had there not been this incident?)
But despite the expected pressure and onslaught, I feel Malaysia will come out tops. That's because this team has one very crucial characteristic: they know how to defend. It's something they have proven during the second leg of the semi-final against Vietnam - after getting a 2-0 lead at the Bukit Jalil Stadium, they held on in the return leg. And one of the reasons for that is the presence of a very reliable goalkeeper in Khairul Fahmi Che Mat, plus defenders who don't give much space to the oppositions' attackers.Anyway, whatever the result in Jakarta, one thing is obvious - this is the best Malaysian football team in years... probably in a few decades. I'd say the last time we had a team to be proud of was the one that qualified for the Moscow Olympics in 1980. (Click below to watch the winning goal against South Korea in the qualifications final in 1979)
That was when we had Hasan Sani, James Wong and Zainal Abidin (who had started out as a defender). After that 1979 team, there were just disappointments for Malaysia.
It's a great time f! or us a ll. Having this team has been a great morale booster for Malaysians and we hope the players will continue to bring glory to us all. It feels so good to be a Malaysian!
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