NST Online: Sports

Kunanlan: Disregard Negri and you will pay

Posted: 27 Aug 2011 07:16 PM PDT

NATIONAL midfielder S. Kunanlan has warned Negri Sembilan's rivals that his team will be unbeatable in next month's Malaysia Cup.

Negri, the 2009 champions, have been drawn in Group B along with Super League runners-up Terengganu, Premier League winners PKNS FC and newcomers Sime Darby FC.

"We want to end our season on a high after a lame performance in the Super League and FA Cup. We failed in both competitions because our key players were injured," said Kunanlan yesterday.

"But it is a thing of the past as most of them have returned to training. Of course fitness is an issue for those who have just returned, but I believe they will be 100 per cent fit for the Malaysia Cup.

"We are in a tough group with Terengganu the favourites. We need to treat PKNS with caution as they have quality in them while Sime Darby will be determined to make an impact as debutants."

The Negri FA was expecting its team to make a huge impact in the Super League after signing on several top players in the pre-season.

But it did not go as planned as their progress in the league and FA Cup was hindered by injuries to key players.

Negri's poor run led to the resignation of Wan Jamak Wan Hassan as coach in March. Former national Under-23 coach Azraai Khor Abdullah was then hired but even he failed to lift Negri in Super League.

However, their Malaysia Cup campaign does look promising with the return of the Abdul Radzak twins -- Mohd Zaquan Adha and Aidil Zafuan and centre-back Norhafiz Zamani Misbah.

Zaquan and Norhafiz have both featured in recent friendly matches while Aidil, a centre-back, has started light training upon recovering from an ankle injury.

Kunanlan, who has only scored one goal this season, has been told by coach Azraai to be more aggressive in the Malaysia Cup.

"I have tried hard to score goals but luck has not been kind to me. At times I came really close but I just can't put the ball into the back of the net.

"I admit that my finishing has not been satisfactory and I really wish to address this weakness. I'm looking forward to improving on my finishing."

Negri, who signed defender Munir Amran on loan from Pahang, will kick off their Malaysia Cup campaign against PKNS at the MBPJ Stadium on Sept 6. -- AJITPAL SINGH

Progress but Europe still a universe away

Posted: 27 Aug 2011 07:12 PM PDT

EVEN as Safiq Rahim prepares for his impending trial with Cardiff City, words of caution have been expressed against getting hopes overly high.

Cardiff chairman Datuk Chan Tien Ghee, in announcing the stint, said there were numerous hurdles to be crossed and FA of Malaysia deputy president Tengku Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah echoed him yesterday.

The British, in protecting the interests of their players, have numerous restrictions in place and a player from outside the European Union has to be an exceptional talent if he hopes to seal a contract.

Even then, he has to contend with the talent that the African nations as well as South Korea and Japan churn out consistently.

The Africans, particularly, will be a major hurdle as they are blessed with talent and numerous European clubs have set up academies across the continent to ensure they get first choice at the cream of the crop.

So, where then does that leave Safiq and any other local player contemplating a footballing future in Britain and Europe, especially with Malaysians the key decision makers in Queens Park Rangers and Cardiff?

To be honest, the best they can expect is to start at the bottom of a very tall ladder for despite Malaysians controlling both clubs, we have to remember that QPR and Cardiff City are businesses.

Their owners and fans, understandably, expect the clubs to be commercially successful and in order for this to happen, they must have the best of players they can afford.

QPR, back in the top-flight of English football after a 15-year hiatus, have set English Premier League (EPL) survival this season as their target.

Cardiff, on the other hand, are desperate to taste EPL action and came agonisingly close the last two seasons -- losing in the play-offs.

With the stakes so high, no run-of-the-mill player can expect to earn a contract through the back door.

However, what should boost Safiq and other Malaysian players is that they are -- definitely -- a better crop of players than the past few generations.

The present bunch of players, in winning the Laos Sea Games gold and AFF Cup, offered new hope to a country that had forgotten how it felt when the national team won honours and that was a good start.

The fact that Safee Sali is playing in Indonesia is another plus for Malaysian football as it should motivate others to do the same.

The return of foreign players -- provided they are of the right quality -- next season should also help local players improve.

Another reason for hope must be the emergence of Kelantan and Terengganu -- alongside Selangor -- as forces to be reckoned as healthy competition is what the game needs to thrive.

A bit of all the above has resulted in better fortunes for Malaysian football but much, much more is needed if the likes of Safiq are to approach trials with big European clubs with confidence rather than hope.

Kredit: www.nst.com.my

Sabtu, 27 Ogos 2011

NST Online: Sports

NST Online: Sports

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