FOOTBALL

HISTORICAL OF MALAYSIAN FOOTBALL

 

The Malaysian national football team nicknamed Harimau Malaya, after the Malayan Tiger, is the national team of Malaysia and is controlled by the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM). Before 1963, the team represented the Federation of Malaya and was known as the Malaya national football team.

Most significant successes of the team has come in the regional AFF Suzuki Cup (formerly known as the 'Tiger Cup'), which Malaysia won in 2010 for the first time in history. They beat Indonesia 4–2 on aggregate in the final to capture the country's first major international football title.Malaysia had many top players since the creation of the Federation of Malaya such as the legendary Mokhtar Dahari, which led Malaysia into their golden age during the 1970s until the 1980s. Before Mokhtar, The Malaysian King of Football, Datuk Abdul Ghani Minhat was the most famous and respected footballer in the whole Malaya during the 1950s until the 1960s. Malaysia's 15–1 victory over the Philippines in 1962 is currently the record for the highest win for the national team and the record has never been broken ever since. In the current generation, Mohd Safee Mohd Sali is considered by Malaysians as their best striker.

In the FIFA World Rankings, Malaysia's highest standing was in the first release of the figures, in August 1993, at 75th. Malaysia's main rival on the international stage is their geographical neighbour, Indonesia and Singapore, and past matches between these two teams have produced much drama. Malaysia is one of the most successful teams in South East Asia along with Thailand, Singapore, Indonesia and Vietnam. Winning the ASEAN Football Championship 2010 and other small competitions and still improving today.

Before the establishment of Malaysia on September 16, 1963, the Malaysia national football team was known as Malaya national football team. Malaya's biggest achievement in football was becoming the bronze medallist in 1962 Asian Games held in Jakarta, Indonesia after defeating South Vietnam 4–1.

After the establishment of the Malaysian Federation in 1963, the team became known as the Malaysia national football team. Malaysia qualified for the 1972 Olympics in Munich, beating Japan, South Korea, Taiwan and Philippines en route. Although they managed to defeat the United States 3–0, they lost the other 2 matches by losing 3–0 to West Germany and 6–0 to Morocco. Two years later, Malaysia won their second bronze medal at the 1974 Asian Games after defeating North Korea 2–1. The team went on to qualify twice in a row for the AFC Asian Cup, in 1976 and 1980. Malaysia qualified again for the Olympics in 1980 in Moscow, but joined the boycott of the games. The team also won the Merdeka Tournament 3 times, became runner-up 4 times and being third place 2 times during the 1970s.

In 1994 as Malaysian football was embroiled in one of the biggest bribery scandals in the country. With the dearth of mainstream interest and lack of funds, Malaysian football has failed to repeat the achievements of the 1970s and 1980s, despite the recruitment of Claude LeRoy. Harris came with strong credentials, having assisted Terry Venables at FC Barcelona and Allan Harris as coaches.

2004–2005

In the second half of 2004, FAM selected Bertalan Bicskei, former Hungarian goalkeeper and national coach, to succeed Allan Harris.

Bicskei led the national side to third place at the regional Tiger Cup competition, but was demoted to youth development duties by FAM for his actions during a friendly against Singapore in Penang on June 8, 2005. Bicskei, disgusted by the standard of officiating, threw a bottle onto the pitch before confronting a Singapore player. In September 2005 the contract was terminated after mutual agreement.

2005–2007

Norizan Bakar became the next head coach of the Malaysian team. He guided the Malaysian squad to the ASEAN Cup semifinals in 2007, where Malaysia lost through penalties to Singapore. Norizan's position as the head coach was criticized by the Malaysian football community, fans and officials alike, after the team's performances during the 2007 AFC Asian Cup, where Malaysia lost to China 1–5, Uzbekistan 0–5 and Iran 0–2.

After the removal of Norizan Bakar, B. Sathianathan took over as head coach. Although he guided the squad to win the 2007 Merdeka Tournament, Malaysia once again failed to qualify for the World Cup after losing 4–1 and drawing 0–0 with Bahrain in the qualifying round.

2007–2009

 

In 2008, Sathianathan once again guided the team to the final of the 2008 Merdeka Tournament. However, Malaysia lost through penalties to Vietnam. Sathianathan also led Malaysia to the semi finals of 2008 Myanmar Grand Royal Challenge Cup. However, Malaysia then shockingly lost 4–1 to eventually winners, Myanmar.

During the 2008 AFF Suzuki Cup, Malaysia started their campaign with a 3–0 win over Laos, but was defeated in the second match by Vietnam with a score of 2–3 and were finally eliminated when they lost 3–0 to Thailand in the final match of the group stage. This was the first time that the Malaysian squad had not passed through the group stages in 12 years.

2009 - Present

 

In the 2011 Asian Cup qualifiers, the Malaysian team lost 0–5 to the United Arab Emirates. This defeat was the final straw in the eyes of the Malaysian supporters, and in February 2009, the contracts of Sathianathan and manager Soh Chin Aun were terminated. Former U-20 Malaysia and Selangor coach, Datuk K. Rajagopal was selected as the new head coach for Malaysia. He took over on July 2009.

ACHIEVEMENT OF MALYASIAN FOOTBALL

Revival of the national team

On July 2009, Datuk K. Rajagopal was named the new coach of Malaysia replacing B. Sathianathan as head coach of Malaysia. K. Rajagopal was also the coach of the Under-23 Malaysia. K. Rajagopal's first duty was against Zimbabwe which Malaysia won 4–0. Rajagopal also coached Malaysia in two games against the visiting English champions, Manchester United, losing in both matches 2–3 and 0–2. During his duty as the coach of the Under-23 team, K. Rajagopal led Malaysia to their fifth SEA Games gold medal and also led Malaysia to qualify for the second round of the 2010 Asian Games as one of the best four third-placed teams after a lapse of 32 years.

During the 2010 AFF Suzuki Cup, Malaysia had 14 players at the age of under-23 while the other players were over 23. Malaysia was in group A with host Indonesia, Thailand and qualifiers winner, Laos. Malaysia began their campaign with an embarrassing loss of 5–1 against Indonesia. Malaysia bounced back from their defeat and later drew Thailand and beat Laos 5–1. As runner up of group, Malaysia qualified to the semi finals to meet Group B winners and defending champions Vietnam. In the first leg of the semifinal, Malaysia won 2–0 at home soil and later drew the second leg advancing to the final with an aggregate of 2–0 . Malaysia went on to the finals to meet favourites Indonesia who were unbeaten in all their matches. On the first leg of the finals, Malaysia won 3–0 at home. Malaysia scored twice through Safee Sali and once by Mohd Ashaari Shamsuddin on a night National Stadium, Bukit Jalil was filled over capacity for the first time since it was built. The match attracted so many people that after tickets were sold out, policemen manning the gates were seen allowing friends and relatives into the stadium causing people having to trespass onto the cable bridge above the electronic display besides standing on the aisles and corridors to secure a view of the game. On the second leg of the finals that was held in Jakarta, Malaysia lost 2–1 to Indonesia but the final aggregate was 4–2 to Malaysia, hence giving the title to Malaysia.

Malaysia won the 2010 AFF Suzuki Cup title for the first time in their history under the management of Datuk K. Rajagopal.

2011

After the successful year on 2010, Malaysia had high hopes for qualifying and winning friendly matches in the upcoming tournaments such as the 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification. The Malaysian under-23 team, had been taken over by Ong Kim Swee and his Under 21 team, Harimau Muda A. Malaysia coach, Datuk K. Rajagopal had arranged a friendly match against Hong Kong which is ranked 145th. K. Rajagopal says that Malaysia should play a match once a month. On the under 23 side, Ong Kim Swee arranged two friendly matches against Thailand under-23 and Singapore under-23 in a preparation for the 2012 Olympics qualifiers. Malaysia U-23 lost narrowly 2–1 to Thailand U-23 and won 2–0 against Singapore U-23.

PLAYERS, EQUIPMENT, AND OFFICIALS

Each team consists of a maximum of eleven players (excluding substitutes), one of whom must be the goalkeeper. Competition rules may state a minimum number of players required to constitute a team, which is usually seven. Goalkeepers are the only players allowed to play the ball with their hands or arms, provided they do so within the penalty area in front of their own goal. Though there are a variety of positions in which the outfield (non-goalkeeper) players are strategically placed by a coach, these positions are not defined or required by the Laws.

The basic equipment or kit players are required to wear includes a shirt, shorts, socks, footwear and adequate shin guards. Headgear is not a required piece of basic equipment, but players today may choose to wear it to protect them from head injury. Players are forbidden to wear or use anything that is dangerous to themselves or another player, such as jewellery or watches. The goalkeeper must wear clothing that is easily distinguishable from that worn by the other players and the match officials.

A number of players may be replaced by substitutes during the course of the game. The maximum number of substitutions permitted in most competitive international and domestic league games is three, though the permitted number may vary in other competitions or in friendly matches. Common reasons for a substitution include injury, tiredness, ineffectiveness, a tactical switch, or time wasting at the end of a finely poised game. In standard adult matches, a player who has been substituted may not take further part in a match. IFAB recommends that "that a match should not continue if there are fewer than seven players in either team." Any decision regarding points awarded for abandoned games is left to the individual football associations.

A game is officiated by a referee, who has "full authority to enforce the Laws of the Game in connection with the match to which he has been appointed" and whose decisions are final. The referee is assisted by two assistant referees. In many high-level games there is also a fourth official who assists the referee and may replace another official should the need arise.

THE LEGENDS OF MALAYSIAN FOOTBALL

DATUK MOKHTAR DAHARI

Dato 'Mokhtar Dahari (13 November 1953 - 11 July 1991) is a legendary national football players from Selangor Malaysia. He was given the title because of his courage SuperMokh score more goals during his career. He represented the country from 1972 until 1985.

Born in Setapak, Kuala Lumpur, Mokhtar received his early education at the National School of Jalan Kuantan (1960-1965) and Victoria Institution (1966-1970). Son of Maimon Dahari Sadikin Abeng and began to represent Selangor in 1971 at Burnley Cup. He also once participated in a number of football clubs including the Sultan Sulaiman Club, the Selangor State Development Corporation (PKNS), Talasco, Kwong Yik Bank.

START represent NYC: Burnley Cup 1971

MALAYSIA CUP: Represent Selangor 1972

START Represent Country: Pestabola Merdeka 1972

LAST Represent Country: Pre-World Cup against South Korea in Seoul 1985

Kaps: 167

GOAL MALAYSIA CUP: 177

GOAL INTERNATIONAL: 125

BEST LINKS: equalizer against England B in 1978

RESULTS:    Helping Selangor won the Malaysia Cup 10 times. Won bronze                                    medal in 1974 Asian Games in Tehran

AWARDS: 1976 National Sportsman

Dahari Mokhtar died at Subang Medical Centre on Thursday, July 11, 1991 at 8:25 am due to illness Mascular Dystrophy.

HASSAN SANI

Hassan "Cockroaches maimed" Sani (born on March 12, 1958) is a former football player who once played alongside Malaysia Sabah FA and FA in the midst of Kuala Lumpur Malaysia League in the late 1970's until the 1980's. He is a former national striker, nicknamed Malaysia as cockroaches maimed by fans as it was a very fast player squad in Malaysia.

Hassan started his football career in 1974 together with Sabah FA. He is one of the best strikers ever born under the state team breezes besides James Wong. League play in the mire Kelincahannya Malaysia brought fear to the opposing team. Furthermore compatibility with James Wong, who also produced many successful national striker so that coupling Hassan-James known as twin strikers after Mokhtar Dahari era and Jesus Burn.

In 1979, Hassan helped Sabah to become vice champions Malaysia Sabah 1979 and the most interesting being a team that scored the most goals in the league at that time Malaysia with 49 goals.

Hassan represent Malaysia for the first time during the President's Cup tournament in Seoul, South Korea. At the time, he is still a reserve player and his idol the late Mokhtar Dahari alongside Isa Bakar.

Main article: Battle of the Malaysia-South Korea 1980 Olympic qualifier

Hassan career peak with the national team during qualifying Malaysia is 1980 Olympics when he helped the national team qualify to play in the Olympics. This sweet moment is created when a pass from Khalid Ali came to Hassan. Hassan called crippled cockroaches make quick runs and continues to make a pass to James Wong to produce the winning goal Malaysia to South Korea by scoring 2-1. Goal is to be the best goal Malaysia up to now and become advertising icons "Spirit Ball" by Maxis ball uplifting occasion among the people of Malaysia to the World Cup.

However, Malaysia has not played in the 1980 Olympics because the government insists to protest against the Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan. Hassan then step down from the international scene in 1986.

Hassan then turned to beach football in 1996. He represented the country at the World Cup Beach Soccer 1999.

Hassan is still active in football and play in the league in Labuan represent Complex FC. He now works as a sailor / helmsman Labuan in the Department of Ports & Harbours Department.