Former Malaysian coach picks Malaysia to progress

With continental powerhouses Saudi Arabia and Iran virtually assured of advancing to the next stage of qualifying for the 2014 World Cup, much of the second-round drama is expected to centre on South-East Asia this week.

Of the 15 second-round matches played last weekend, the few that remain finely balanced in today’s return legs involve one of the continent’s most passionate football regions.

The last time a country from South-east Asia made the World Cup was 1938 – when Indonesia was known as the Dutch East Indies – and after none of its teams qualified for the 2011 Asian Cup in January, having just a single representative in the group stage of qualifying for Brazil 2014 would be another disappointment.

One South-East Asian spot in the next round is guaranteed as arch-rivals and neighbours Singapore and Malaysia were drawn together, with Singapore winning a thrilling first leg 5-3 at home.

Other countries from the region are still in contention after the first leg of the second round: Indonesia earned a 1-1 draw in Turkmenistan, Thailand take a 1-0 advantage to Palestine; while in Yangon, Myanmar have to reverse a 2-0 first-leg loss to Oman.

The 15 winners will progress to the third round where they will be joined by Australia, Bahrain, Japan, North Korea and South Korea, with the 20 teams to be divided into five groups of four teams. The top two teams from each of those groups in turn progresses to the fourth round.
Singapore may regret allowing a 4-1 home lead in the first leg become 5-3. The return match promises to be a grand occasion, with the 85,000 capacity Bukit Jalil Stadium in Kuala Lumpur expected to be full.

“Malaysia will progress to the next round,” said B. Sathianathan, who left his post as Malaysian head coach in 2008 .

“The full capacity is extra motivation for Malaysia and will spur the players to go the extra mile to qualify for the next round. The fitness level of both teams will decide the outcome especially in the second half of the game.

“Both teams showed in the first leg that their weak point is defending. My prediction is based on the Singapore defence, which is not as solid and strong as it used to be. The Singapore coach has done a remarkable job since taking over but he needs to inject new blood in the team for the future.”

Kunalan proves size does not matter in football

Speedy midfielder S. Kunalan may not have the physique to cause terror to his Singapore counterparts but the pint-sized Malaysian left-flanker certainly has the ability to terrorise the Lions with his darting runs.

“I do not need muscles to scare the Lions. I just need to use my head and play a tactical game to run them down with my limited talent,” said Kunalan, who did well to provide spark for the national team in the first-leg of the Asian Zone World Cup second round qualifying match against Singapore at the Jalan Besar Stadium on Saturday.

“I do not have the size but I can zip past their defence with my pace.”

Today, Malaysia need to win by a clear two-goal margin to pip Singapore on the away goals rule and move into the third round after Singapore beat Malaysia 5-3 in the first leg match.
The nippy Negri Sembilan player has been a real menace to his opponents with his darting runs.

He even gave visiting English Premier League sides Arsenal and Liverpool, who were down in Kuala Lumpur for their Asia Tour recently, a torrid time with his searing pace.

“I play to my ability and I am glad to have been a regular under coach Datuk K. Rajagopal since the 2009 SEA Games. It does not matter whether we play against physically stronger or bigger opponents, it is just how we pool our resources to outwit them,” said Kunalan.

It won’t be easy against the Singapore side, who have five naturalised players.

“But we are ready to play them and we will give them a run for their money until the final whistle.”

Malaysia and Singapore - their strengths and weaknesses

ASIAN ZONE WORLD CUP QUALIFIER - SECOND-LEG FIXTURE (National Stadium, Bukit Jalil, Thursday, 8.45pm)

GOALKEEPER
MALAYSIA (8) SINGAPORE (7)
BOTH have good goalkeepers but I will plum for Khairul Fahmi Che Mat. He is young and has proven himself on the big stage at the Asian Games and the Suzuki Cup Asean Football Federation (AFF) Championships. Lionel is a veteran but is making a comeback from injury.

DEFENCE
MALAYSIA (7) SINGAPORE (8)
GOING by the rfist-leg result at the Jalan Besar Stadium, both teams are quite vulnerable at the back. Singapore look more organised in this department, with Daniel Bennett and Jumaat Jantan quite stable. The Malaysian defence did well at the Asian Games in Guangzhou and the Suzuki Cup but look shaky in recent times. They have to buck up in the second leg but Mohd Aidil Zafuan’s return from injury is a good boost.

MIDFIELD
MALAYSIA (8) SINGAPORE (8)
THIS is my favourite department and I feel that both teams have strong and energetic players. Malaysia get full marks for their high work rate, especially S.Kunalan on the left-flank. The only setback is that t hey will miss inspirational skipper Safiq Rahim, who is suspended. Singapore have experienced hands in Mustafic Fahrudin, skipper Shahril Ishak and their twin flankers Qiu Li and Shi Jiayi.

STRIKER
MALAYSIA (8) SINGAPORE (9)
SINGAPORE have proven to be hot in their finishing. Towering striker Aleksandar Duric has strong credentials and will be a handful for the Malaysian defence with his powerful shots. Malaysia have Mohd Safee Sali and he has done well but we won’t have depth with Norshahrul Idlan Talaha out with a hamstring injury.

VERDICT: Malaysia 2 Singapore 0
MALAYSIA should win with the strong 90,000 ho me fans behind them at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil. I have been in this type of situations before and, believe me, the fans can give the home team a terrific lift!

Zainal Abidin remembers old Malaysia-Singapore rivalry

Former Malaysian striker Zainal Abidin Hassan has fond memories of playing against Singapore. The 49-year-old played more than 100 matches against the Lions during his illustrious career with the national team and Selangor since making his debut as a 17-year-old schoolboy. Zainal relates his expectations of the national team under coach Datuk K. Rajagopal ahead of their clash with Singapore in the Asian Zone World Cup second round second-leg match at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil today.

Question : Can you tell us about your playing days against Singapore?

Zainal : It was one of the most awaited moments as there was a lot at stake in these matches. I have seen it all – the good and the bad times. It is not just about the results or the scorelines ... but it was more about the fierce rivalry, the fans’ passion and the quality of players they see on the pitch.

Question : What makes the Malaysia-Singapore matches tick?

Zainal : The matches between Malaysia and Singapore or even Selangor-Singapore in the past have always been a sellout for obvious reasons. Number one is that the fans get their money’s worth. There is a little of everything in it ... rivalry, hate and love. Even now we still attract both fans in the annual Sultan of Selangor Cup.

Question : What was the your best moment against Singapore?

Zainal : We beat Singapore 1-0 in the pre-Olympic qualifier in 1983. I scored from a half-volley and of course the classic Malaysia Cup final when we beat Singapore 4-0 at the Merdeka Stadium in 1981. It was a parade of stars, with Malaysia featuring the late Mokhtar Dahari, Lim Teong Kim, Abdullah Ali and gang and Singapore fielding Edmund Wee, Dollah Kassim, Quah Kim Song and Hasli Ibrahim.

Question : Singapore have five naturalised players in their side. How big an advantage is this to the Lions?

Zainal : It does not matter that they have five naturalised players. The game is not going to be about them. It is about tradition and rivalry between two neighbours. The game will be equally contested but I feel Malaysia will raise their game because a lot is at stake in this match.

Question : What is your prediction for tonight’s match?

Zainal : I am confident that the boys will win. So, are the 85,000 fans who have bought tickets for the match tonight. They would not have come if we do not stand a chance. There is an air of confidence that the battle can be won at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil.

Question : What is your message to the our players?

Zainal : Don’t repeat your mistakes. We all make mistakes but the true hallmark of a champion is how he bounces back from the defeat. I want them to do the nation proud ... the whole country is behind them. Keep up the good work and go for the kill. The chance is there to progress and make history by moving into the third round.