Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek hopes that Malaysia can beat Japan in Olympic Group C Asian Zone Qualifying match at National Stadium, Bukit Jalil on Wednesday.
He said that a win would be a nice gift to fans although Malaysia failed to progress in the tournament after failing to win any of the matches played.
"As one of the top teams in Asean, we are expected to put up a tough fight against Japan.
"I hope the players seize the chance by doing well in front their own fans," he told reporters at Prophet Muhammad birthday celebration here Saturday.
Malaysia lost 0-2 to Japan in the first leg match at Tosu Stadium on Sept 21 last year. Group C comprises Bahrain, Japan, Malaysia and Syria.
Sunday, 19 February 2012
Saturday, 18 February 2012
Olympic squad to play for pride in remaining Olympic qualifiers
Their Olympic dream dashed, Malaysia will be playing for redemption in the remaining qualifying round matches against Japan and Syria.
National Under-23 coach Ong Kim Swee Kim Swee wants his team to start by carving out a historic win over Asian number one Japan at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil on Wednesday.
That, he says, will make up for the disappointment of a failed crusade.
Malaysia have lost all four qualification matches in Group C — Japan (2-0), Syria (2-0) and Bahrain (2-3, 1-2). They wrap up their campaign against Syria on March 14.
Kim Swee has vowed that the team will play for pride despite having nothing to lose.
Japan are still vying for an automatic berth and need a win to consolidate their position at the top of the group. Only the top team will win an automatic ticket to the Olympics.
“It’s time for the team to redeem themselves.
“We are out of the reckoning but I want quality football from the players,” sid Kim Swee.
“We must give something back to the fans who have stood by us. I hope they will come to the stadium to support us against Japan.
“This is our chance to try a new approach as we prepare for the AFC Under-22 qualifiers. The match with Japan will provide us with some valuable insights.”
The national trainees
Khairul Fahmi Che Mat, Mohd Zubir Mohd Azmi, Mohammad Muslim Ahmad,K.Gurusamy, Ahmad Shakir Ali, Shahrul Mohd Saad, Mohd Affize Faisal,Mahalli Jasuli, Mohamad Amer Saidin, Mohd Fandi Othman, Mohd IrfanFazail, Mohd Izham Tarmizi, Syahrul Azwari Ibrahim, Mohd ShahrilSaari, Wan Zaharulnizam Wan Zakaria, Muhammad Nazmi Faiz Mansor,Muhammad Izuan Mohd Salahuddin, A.Thamil Arasu, Mohamad Fadhli MohdShas, Mohd Ferris Danial Mat Nasir, Mohd Azzizan Nordin, Ahmad FakriSaarani, Mohd Azrif Nasrulhaq Badrul Hisham
National Under-23 coach Ong Kim Swee Kim Swee wants his team to start by carving out a historic win over Asian number one Japan at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil on Wednesday.
That, he says, will make up for the disappointment of a failed crusade.
Malaysia have lost all four qualification matches in Group C — Japan (2-0), Syria (2-0) and Bahrain (2-3, 1-2). They wrap up their campaign against Syria on March 14.
Kim Swee has vowed that the team will play for pride despite having nothing to lose.
Japan are still vying for an automatic berth and need a win to consolidate their position at the top of the group. Only the top team will win an automatic ticket to the Olympics.
“It’s time for the team to redeem themselves.
“We are out of the reckoning but I want quality football from the players,” sid Kim Swee.
“We must give something back to the fans who have stood by us. I hope they will come to the stadium to support us against Japan.
“This is our chance to try a new approach as we prepare for the AFC Under-22 qualifiers. The match with Japan will provide us with some valuable insights.”
The national trainees
Khairul Fahmi Che Mat, Mohd Zubir Mohd Azmi, Mohammad Muslim Ahmad,K.Gurusamy, Ahmad Shakir Ali, Shahrul Mohd Saad, Mohd Affize Faisal,Mahalli Jasuli, Mohamad Amer Saidin, Mohd Fandi Othman, Mohd IrfanFazail, Mohd Izham Tarmizi, Syahrul Azwari Ibrahim, Mohd ShahrilSaari, Wan Zaharulnizam Wan Zakaria, Muhammad Nazmi Faiz Mansor,Muhammad Izuan Mohd Salahuddin, A.Thamil Arasu, Mohamad Fadhli MohdShas, Mohd Ferris Danial Mat Nasir, Mohd Azzizan Nordin, Ahmad FakriSaarani, Mohd Azrif Nasrulhaq Badrul Hisham
Defending champions Terengganu desperate to beat Police in FA Cup
Terengganu will be without three key defenders when they open their FA Cup defence against Police at the Sultan Ismail Stadium tonight.
Muslim Ahmad and Zubir Azmi are with the national Under-23 pre-Olympic team while Faizal Muhammad is injured. But coach Mat Zan Mat Aris remains optimistic of getting a win.
“Captain Marzuki Yusof is also doubtful due to a hamstring injury but we will prevail,” said Mat Zan.
Has Mizan Kamaroddin will play at the heart of the defence while newcomer Hariri Mohd Safii will stand in for Zubir at leftback.
Mat Zan said a first-round win would revitalise his team after dismal displays in their last three Super League matches.
“The FA Cup is a do-or-die affair so we must beat Police. It would be embarrassing for the champions to bow out in the very first match,” he said.
Mat Zan urged the fans to turn out in full force to support the team.
“I want the fans to keep their faith as we face a stiff challenge to defend the FA Cup.”
Terengganu came from behind to edge Kelantan 2-1 in the final last season.
Muslim Ahmad and Zubir Azmi are with the national Under-23 pre-Olympic team while Faizal Muhammad is injured. But coach Mat Zan Mat Aris remains optimistic of getting a win.
“Captain Marzuki Yusof is also doubtful due to a hamstring injury but we will prevail,” said Mat Zan.
Has Mizan Kamaroddin will play at the heart of the defence while newcomer Hariri Mohd Safii will stand in for Zubir at leftback.
Mat Zan said a first-round win would revitalise his team after dismal displays in their last three Super League matches.
“The FA Cup is a do-or-die affair so we must beat Police. It would be embarrassing for the champions to bow out in the very first match,” he said.
Mat Zan urged the fans to turn out in full force to support the team.
“I want the fans to keep their faith as we face a stiff challenge to defend the FA Cup.”
Terengganu came from behind to edge Kelantan 2-1 in the final last season.
Sports Ministry and FAM to discuss about match fixing problems
The Youth and Sports Ministry will hold a meeting with the Football Association of Malaysia's (FAM) Inspection, Monitoring and Transparency Committee on issue of corruption in football, which has reared its ugly head again.
Its minister, Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek said the meeting to be held next week, also aimed at obtaining information regarding actions that have been taken by the committee especially in identifying the causes.
"I think the action taken by FAM on players and officials found guilty (of corruption), was positive. The next step is to ask the players to declare their assets and I feel this can be an extremely positive move.
"But this is not enough because the important thing is to educate the players and officials. This corruption comes from a sense of greed," he told reporters here today.
Ahmad Shabery said he hoped that the committee could identify all possibilities that led to corruption, including on football associations ability to pay the players salaries on time.
Its minister, Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek said the meeting to be held next week, also aimed at obtaining information regarding actions that have been taken by the committee especially in identifying the causes.
"I think the action taken by FAM on players and officials found guilty (of corruption), was positive. The next step is to ask the players to declare their assets and I feel this can be an extremely positive move.
"But this is not enough because the important thing is to educate the players and officials. This corruption comes from a sense of greed," he told reporters here today.
Ahmad Shabery said he hoped that the committee could identify all possibilities that led to corruption, including on football associations ability to pay the players salaries on time.
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