NST Online: Sports

Posted: 01 Jun 2011 09:37 AM PDT

2011/06/01
By Ajitpal Singh

FAM assistant secretary Fuad Ahmad (right) inspecting the pitch at the Bukit Jalil Stadium, the venue for the FA Cup final between Kelantan and Terengganu on June 11. — Picture by Osman Adnan

EIGHT players, who were part of the AFF Cup-winning squad, may not be considered for Malaysia's World Cup qualifying campaign.

National coach K. Rajagobal has excluded them from his side's international friendly against Hong Kong tomorrow as they are with the Olympic side preparing for their second round qualifying campaign.

The eight are goalkeeper Khairul Fahmi Che Mat, defenders Mohd Fadhli Mohd Shas, Faizal Mohd, Mahalli Jasuli, Muslim Ahmad, midfielder K. Gurusamy and strikers Faizal Abu Bakar and Izzaq Faris Ramlan,

Rajagobal wants to keep his options open before naming a squad of 26 players for the next stage of centralised training, which is expected to begin on June 15.

"If I opt for those in the Olympic team, they will only report to me after their second round qualifying second leg match against Lebanon on June 23.

"I've not decided on anything. As for now I am looking at more players," said K. Rajagobal on Tuesday.

Malaysia will play Taiwan in a first round first leg World Cup qualifying match in Kuala Lumpur on June 29. The return match is in Taipei on July 3.

"I am testing new players to see whether they can adapt to my game strategy against Hong Kong. I want to be prepared in case of injuries to those in the Olympic team.

"The Olympic players will fit well into my plans even if they report late. It is not a problem as they have been with the national senior team for quite awhile," said Rajagobal.

When asked about the Taiwan team, Rajagobal said: "I analysed their game during the recent Challenge Cup in Kuala Lumpur, where they played three matches. They are disciplined and aggressive in their approach. We cannot take them lightly."

Sabah goalkeeper Syed Adney Syed Hussein returns to the senior team upon his first international call-up after he was dropped from the 2009 Laos Sea Games squad while Negri Sembilan defender Aidil Zafuan Radzak will also play his first international 'A' match since last year.

Among those hoping to earn their first international caps tomorrow are Shahrom Abdul Kalam, Helmi Remeli, Mohamad Hisyamudin, Azidan Sarudin and Shahrizal Saad.

Aidil, Azidan and Shahrizal were also in the squad in the national team's last friendly, which was against S-League side Etoile FC in March.

The squad -- Goalkeepers: Sharbinee Allawee, Syed Adney Syed Hussein;

Defenders: Azmi Muslim, Asraruddin Putra Omar, Nasriq Baharom, Aidil Zafuan Radzak, Shahrom Abdul Kalam, Helmi Remeli, Mohamad Hisyamudin; Midfielders: Ashaari Samsudin, S. Kunanlan, Amar Rohidan, Azidan Sarudin, Safiq Rahim, Ismail Faruqi, Baddrol Bakhtiar, Amirulhadi Zainal, S. Chanturu; Forwards: Norsharul Idlan Talaha, Shahrizal Saad, Safee Sali, Abdul Hadi Yahya.

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England FA blasted

Posted: 01 Jun 2011 08:28 AM PDT

ZURICH: England's Football Association was the subject of stinging criticism here yesterday after suffering a crushing defeat in their bid to halt the re-election of Fifa president Sepp Blatter.

England FA chairman David Bernstein had taken the floor at the 61st Fifa congress to table a motion calling for the postponement of the presidential election which took place yesterday.

"A lot of people have warned me I shouldn't be making this speech but Fifa is a democratic organisation," Bernstein said.

"We are faced with an unsatisfactory situation. We are subject to universal criticism from governments, sponsors, media and the wider world.

"With this background the election has turned into one-horse race ... a coronation without an opponent provides a flawed mandate."

But England's attempts to take a stand fell flat, with voters dismissing the motion by 172 votes to 17.

Adding insult to injury, Fifa's senior vice-president Julio Grondona from Argentina then unleashed a blistering attack on England.

"We always have attacks from England which are mostly lies with the support of journalism which is more busy lying than telling the truth. This upsets and disturbs the Fifa family," Grondona said.

"To present such a project as David Bernstein presented is like shooting a penalty because it cannot be always from the same place that the insults and problems come from." -- AFP

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Kredit: www.nst.com.my

Rabu, 1 Jun 2011

NST Online: Sports

NST Online: Sports

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