Wan Zack and Hazwan star as Malaysia thrash Sri Lanka

Youngsters Wan Zack Haikal Wan Noor and Ahmad Hazwan Bakri upstaged their senior team-mates in Malaysia’s 6-0 thrashing of Sri Lanka in a friendly at the Shah Alam Stadium last night.

Harimau Muda players Wan Zack and Hazwan bagged a brace and a hat-trick respectively while Azamudin Mohd Akil was also on target to end Malaysia’s seven-match winless run which started with a defeat to Taiwan in a World Cup qualifier last July 23.

Wan Zack started the rout with a quick double in the 26th and 27th minutes while Hazwan’s triple treat came in the 73rd, 80th and 90th. Azamudin scored in the 84th.

It was Malaysia’s biggest international win since their 5-0 drubbing of Lesotho on Sept 11, 2009.

The huge win over 181st-ranked Sri Lanka brought some relief to national coach Datuk K. Rajagopal and the FA of Malaysia (FAM) who are desperate to improve Malaysia’s current world ranking of 156th.

An elated Rajagopal praised his team’s performance last night and hopes the younger players will continue to give their senior team-mates some competition.

“I’ve always brought in youngsters to give them exposure and to compete with the senior players for places in the team,” said Rajagopal.

“The youngsters proved a point to their seniors last night and that can only be good for the team. I hope the competition for places in the team will keep the players on their toes.

“The team played well despite the Sri Lankan players keeping up their aggression even when they were 3-0 down.”

Sri Lanka manager Wasantha Wickramasinghe admitted his side was totally outplayed by the Malaysians.

“The big-margin loss worries us but we’re a young side and we need time to improve.”

By K. RAJAN (The Star)

Read More

Perlawanan persahabatan: Malaysia 6, Sri Lanka 0

SKUAD Harimau Malaya menceriakan peminat bola sepak tanah air apabila dengan mudah mengatasi Sri Lanka 6-0 pada perlawanan persahabatan antarabangsa di Stadium Shah Alam, malam ini.

Skuad kendalian jurulatih Datuk K.Rajagobal yang mengusai permainan sejak awal perlawanan dengan mudah memperolehi gol pertama menerusi Wan Zack Haikal Wan Nor menerusi sepakan deras pada minit ke-24.

Selang dua minit kemudian, Wan Zack sekali lagi menjaringkan gol kedua skuad negara apabila menewaskan penjaga gawang Sri Lanka, Herath Mudiyanselage hasil hantaran jauh yang dilakukan oleh Mohd Safee Mohd Sali, lapor Bernama.

Tersentak dengan kedudukan tersebut, pasukan pelawat cuba untuk bangkit bagi mencari gol pertama namun Malaysia yang mengusai perlawanan tidak memberi peluang kepada skuad Sri Lanka kendalian jurulatih Kolonnage Mayura Sampath.

Skuad negara yang ditemani oleh kira-kira 5,000 penyokong terus menguasai perlawanan babak kedua perlawanan yang ternyata sukar dibolosi oleh pasukan pelawat.

Pesta gol bermula apabila Ahmad Hazwan Bakri kemudianya menyumbang dua gol pada minit ke-71 dan minit ke-81 dikuti gol kelima oleh Azamuddin Mohd Akil seminit kemudian.

Penyerang muda, Ahmad Hazwan melengkapkan hatrik buat dirinya menerusi tandukan pada masa tambahan.

Sementara itu, Rajagobal berkata, beliau gembira dan berpuas hati dengan prestasi kesuluruhan anak didiknya yang erjaya mencapai kemenangan mudah pada perlawanan itu.

"Walaupun kita menguasai perlawanan kali ini saya tidak memandang rendah usaha pasukan Sri Lanka yang turut bermain baik malam ini," katanya kepada pemberita selepas tamat perlawanan.

Rajagobal berkata kejayaan skuad Harimau Malaya malam ini juga membuktikan bahawa Malaysia mempunyai sebuah pasukan tidak kurang hebatnya.

Oleh: Sinar Harian, Bernama

Read More

Harimau Muda perbaiki kedudukan

HARIMAU Muda melonjak dua anak tangga ke kedudukan ketiga Liga Singapura (Liga-S) selepas menundukkan Hougang United 3-1 di Stadium Yishun, malam tadi.

Penjaga gol Harimau Muda, Izham Tarmizi Roslan diuji seawal minit kelima namun berjaya menangkap bola dengan kemas selepas bola sepakan percuma Ante Barac ditanduk Stanislav Vidakovic.

Tersentak percubaan awal pelawat, anak didik Ong Kim Swee bangkit mengatur strategi tapi rembatan D Saarvindran dari dalam kotak penalti melepasi palang gol.

Gol yang dinanti-nanti Harimau Muda hadir pada minit ke-20 selepas dihadiahkan sepakan penalti berpunca daripada sepakan lambung Nazmi Faiz Mansor yang terkena tangan pemain pertahanan Hougang United FC, Fazli Jaafar dan A Thamil Arasu mudah menewaskan penjaga gol, Fadhil Salim.

Kapten Harimau Muda, Affize Faisal Mamat menambah duka Hougang United FC apabila mencipta gol kedua pada minit ke-39 hasil sepakan percuma dari jarak 20 meter yang melencong tepat ke penjuru kanan pintu gol lawan.

Bagaimanapun pada minit ke-49, pemain Hougang United FC, Jordan Webb mengambil kesempatan kelekaan pertahanan Harimau Muda untuk menyambar hantaran lintang Mamadou Diallo dan menewaskan Izham Tarmizi.

Berpunca daripada serangan balas selepas sering diasak barisan serangan Hougang United, Harimau Muda memastikan tiga mata milik mereka selepas Affize Faisal menyudahkan hantaran Syahrul Azwari Ibrahim.

Harimau Muda kini mengumpul 20 mata selepas 10 perlawanan, ketinggalan satu mata di belakang Balestier Khalsa dengan Brunei DPMM merampas tangga teratas apabila membenam Woodlands Wellington 3-0.

Oleh : Harian Metro

Read More

FAM hukum berat FAS dan Johor FC

NASIB malang terus menimpa Persatuan Bolasepak Sarawak (FAS) apabila dikenakan denda berjumlah RM46,000 kerana kegagalan menyediakan keselamatan yang efektif ketika menentang Kelantan pada perlawanan Liga Super di Stadium Negeri Sarawak, Kuching pada 7 April lepas.

Minggu lepas, FAS dikenakan denda RM29,500 oleh Jawatankuasa Disiplin FAM kerana gagal mematuhi arahan sama pada perlawanan Liga Super menentang Lions XII pada 17 Mac lepas di stadium sama.

Selain hukuman denda, Sarawak perlu bermain di stadium kosong dalam empat perlawanan di gelanggang sendiri.

Pengerusi Jawatankuasa Displin FAM, Datuk Taufek Abdul Razak berkata, selain itu pasukan Johor FC turut dikenakan denda RM20,000, selain diberikan amaran keras, kerana kegagalan mengawal penyokong sendiri yang membaling botol air sehingga terkena kepala kapten Lions XII, Shahril Ishak ketika pertemuan kedua-dua pasukan di Stadium Majlis Perbandaran Pasir Gudang pada 7 April lepas.

Perlawanan tersebut dimenangi oleh Lions XII menerusi jaringan tunggal penyerangnya, Khairul Nizam pada minit ke-42.

Mereka sepatutnya tahu mengawal emosi penyokong sendiri selain memastikan tahap keselamatan yang baik ketika beraksi di gelanggang sendiri, katanya kepada pemberita selepas mempengerusikan mesyuarat jawatankuasa tersebut yang berlangsung hampir tiga jam di Wisma FAM semalam.

"Hukuman yang kita kenakan ini tidak boleh dirayu kerana ia merupakan denda minimum yang dikenakan kepada kedua-dua persatuan itu.

"Kita menjatuhkan hukuman ini bukan untuk menyusahkan mana-mana pasukan sebaliknya lebih memberi kesedaran kepada mereka yang terlibat untuk meningkatkan kawalan di stadium pada masa depan," katanya.

Taufek berkata, FAS turut dikenakan hukuman bermain di laman sendiri tanpa kehadiran penyokong selama empat perlawanan dan hukuman itu dijangka bermula pada perlawanan Liga Super membabitkan pasukan yang digelar 'Bujang Senang' itu menentang Kuala Lumpur pada 4 Mei ini.

Selain gagal menyediakan kawalan keselamatan yang sepatutnya di stadium, FAS turut dikenakan tiga lagi pertuduhan iaitu penyokong menyerang anggota Unit Simpanan Persekutuan (FRU) dengan menumbuknya sehingga pengsan.

FAS turut dituduh dengan membiarkan penyokong mereka membaling botol air ke arah penolong pengadil Azman Ismail semasa perlawanan Sarawak menentang Kelantan, serta membiarkan penyokong mereka membaling botol air dan mercun ke arah penyokong Kelantan. 

Oleh: Bernama

Read More

Safee in winning mood

CALL TO ARMS: Striker urges teammates to beat Sri Lanka and boost Malaysia's ranking

SAFEE Sali is focused on winning matches with the national team rather than scoring goals for his own individual tally.

The striker is determined to help Malaysia improve their world ranking and also end their seven-match winless streak. Safee will have a chance to make an impression when Malaysia play their second international friendly of the year against Sri Lanka on Saturday at Shah Alam Stadium.

"We must win this match. I am focused on winning. If I score then I would be happy but it is not my priority," said Safee.

"It does not matter who scores as what is important is that we beat them. I've not played at Shah Alam Stadium for a long time, so I am raring to return and play in front of the fans since our 2-0 win over Hong Kong last year."

Malaysia must win to avoid further embarrassment following their 1-1 draw with the Philippines in their only other international in Manila on Feb 28.

The failure to play matches regularly led to Malaysia falling four spots to 156th in Fifa's latest world rankings.

National coach K. Rajagobal stressed that it is important to get a good result on Saturday.

"There is no reason for us not to win as Sri Lanka are ranked below us. This match will also give me the opportunity to test some of the uncapped players," said Rajagobal at Wisma FAM in Kelana Jaya yesterday.

"I want them to give their best and play better than what they did against the Philippines. We need to start winning again to boost our confidence for the AFF Cup."

The national players reported for training last Friday but Safee, who plays for Pelita Jaya in the Indonesia Super League, will only join the squad tomorrow.

Rajagobal will drop two players from his 26-member training squad on Friday for the friendly.

"I want to see consistency from the regulars while the newcomers must show me they have the ability to play international matches. I want a big pool of players to choose from for the AFF Cup."

The local fans, mainly those from the 'Ultra Malaya' group, have been criticising the national team's sub-par performances of late and blamed the FA of Malaysia (FAM) for it. They are often heard singing songs with lyrics criticising FAM, in local M-League matches.

So to regain the support and trust of the fans, the national team must beat Sri Lanka at all cost on Saturday.

By AJITPAL SINGH | ajitpalsingh@nst.com.my 

Read More

'Clean' Song Lam looking to improve image

WE are clean!

The assurance that Song Lam Nghe An FC are not involved in match-fixing has been given by assistant coach Le Ky Bhoung ahead of today's AFC Cup Group F match against Terengganu at Sultan Ismail Nasiruddin Shah Stadium in Kuala Terengganu.

Sitting in for head coach Nguyen Huu Thang at the pre-match press conference at a hotel in Kuala Terengganu yesterday, Bhoung said match fixing was a thing of the past and the club are now free from any negative elements.

"In Vietnam, bribery in football is dead and buried," said Ky Bhoung.

Ky Bhoung said match fixing was never a factor when his team lost to Terengganu at Vinh Stadium early last month or when they became the first team in the group to beat Hong Kong's Kitchee at the same venue a month later.

"Our conscience is clear whenever we lose or win. We definitely want to win tomorrow (today) as we now have four points and a fair chance of progressing to the second round.

"Although Terengganu have yet to win at home thus far in the competition, we know they are a very good team and we still feel that we have a 50-50 chance of going through to the second round."

However, Ky Bhoung said that the Vietnam champions are without four key players as Phan Doan Dat and Tran Son Ha are serving a one-match suspension each, and Gustave Bebbe and Nguyen Ngoc Anh did not make the trip due to injury.

Terengganu coach Mat Zan Mat Aris said striker Manaf Mamat is unlikely to recover from his ankle injury in time for the match.

"In addition to our already lengthy injury list, we are also sweating over the fitness of goalkeeper Sarbinee (Allawee) and midfielder Shukor (Jusoh).

"We will not know until late if the players are available for selection.

"Just like them, this is a game we can't afford to lose and even with a makeshift squad, we will have to find a way to secure our first home win in the AFC Cup campaign," he said
.
By Zainuddin Muhammad, NST  

Read More

Song Lam Nghe An hormati Penyu

JUARA Vietnam, Song Lam Nghe An tetap menghormati keupayaan Terengganu menjelang perlawanan Kumpulan F Piala AFC di Stadium Sultan Ismail Nasiruddin Shah di Kuala Terengganu hari ini meskipun tuan rumah berdepan masalah dibelenggu prestasi tidak menentu.

Penolong jurulatih, Le Ky Bhoung berkata, kedua-dua pasukan sudah tidak mampu untuk kalah lagi kerana tempat di pusingan seterusnya hanya untuk pasukan yang bakal menang baki dua perlawanan kumpulan.

“Kami mempunyai empat mata manakala Terengganu memiliki sedikit kelebihan kerana sudah memungut enam mata tapi peluang kami akan terbuka luas sekiranya menewaskan Terengganu.

“Walaupun Terengganu gagal meraih kemenangan di tempat sendiri dalam saingan Piala AFC, kami amat menghormati mereka dan meletakkan peluang kami cuma 50-50 saja untuk mencipta kemenangan.

“Kami sentiasa melakukan yang terbaik dalam setiap perlawanan dan begitu juga dengan perlawanan ini walaupun kami tidak dapat menggunakan khidmat empat tonggak kali ini,” katanya.

Dua pemain pertahanan, Phan Doan Dat and Tran Son Ha tidak diturunkan kerana digantung satu perlawanan selepas menerima dua kad kuning manakala penyerang Gustave Bebbe and Nguyen Ngoc Anh pula tidak mengikuti rombongan ke Terengganu kerana mengalami kecederaan.

Sementara itu, jurulatih Terengganu, Mat Zan Mat Aris yang masih dibelenggu masalah kecederaan dan keletihan pemain berkata, anak buahnya juga tertekan dengan sikap segelintir penyokong yang tidak puas hati dengan kekalahan di tangan Sime Darby dalam saingan Piala FA.

“Saya harap mereka melupakan tindakan penyokong yang menunjuk perasaan di stadium selepas perlawanan Sabtu lalu dan memberi sepenuh perhatian kepada saingan Piala AFC pula," katanya.

Oleh:

Zainuddin Muhammad
sukan@hmetro.com.my

Read More