Roar!
Hello! By looking at the title and the lovely picture above I'm pretty sure you guys know what I'm talking about. Ehem, after a long time of self-impose retirement as a football pundit, I feel that the time is right for me to talk football again after our beloved national side managed to be crown as the Southeast Asian Champions for the first time!
Now lets talk football. From as far as I can remeber, Malaysia never had a decent keeper until Khairul Fahmi Che Mat stood between the post for us. (before this all of the keepers are either rooted at one spot or only jumped and dived to make as if they are doing their work) He is not afraid to charge on incoming attackers and heck, he pulled off some nice saves from time to time.
Okey now for the defenders. Malaysian defend was struck by a massive injury crisis and that is the best thing that has happen! Yes you read it right. The BEST THING that has happen to our squad. Why? Well it gave chances to our youngsters to play. And football being football it is proven that young players can make a different as proven by Germany and Fergie's Fledgling. The partnership between Muslim and Fadhli was perfect and they are only 21 and 19 years old! For once, Malaysia's defence were marking people and winning aerial balls. Erm yang kahwin artis tu lupakan jela eh? haha
Midfielders. Safiq Rahim's ball distribution was pretty good and at times world class. But a very reliable source told me that he needs to learn to keep the ball better. Oh and who can miss Kunalan and his tireless run up and down the flanks. If only Badrool Bakhtiar of Kedah was not injured. Malaysia's engine room would have been magnificent with him on board.
Now for the two guys upfront. Safee Sali and Norshahrul was world class. Who can forget Norshahrul beating the Indonesian defenders like chicken before passing the ball to Safee to slot it home? Or Safee's header? Pergh magical just magical. I wouldn't be surprise to see both of them plying their trade overseas perhaps?
Next on the list is Rajagobal. Raja should be given a Datuk. He deserves it. Fullstop need I say more?
And now finally the fans. I was fortunate enough to attend the first-leg final and the atmosphere was electrifying! I wouldn't trade that experience with anything! Imagine yourself in a crowd of 80 000+++ all supporting for the same team. I've been to football matches before and this is one nothing like those matches. How often can you hug a stranger and high five him while talking about football? Not very often. Rare as a matter of fact. We were singing we were shouting and we were clapping. Truth to be said it is on par with the Koleq vs Vaji game. But there are some things I don't like about the fans was the firecrackers, the bottle throwing and the laser incident. Oh and I was also embarrassed when some of the fans booed and jeered during the Indonesian National Anthem. That was kinda a turn off. But I like the flares though.
Well let's hope that this team keeps on improving. Let's make a name in the Asia Cup!
