Malaysia Cup/ League

[joew2005]

http://sg.news.yahoo.com/blogs/fit-t...074238490.html

‘Give fringe LionsXII players a chance’

5 games in2 the 2012 Malaysian Super League season, LionsXII sit @ 7th place, 2 places outside of the pre-season target of a top-5 finish.

So how would I rate them aft these handful of games? "Average" & "met expectations" r my buzzwords.

Games involving LionsXII hv seen 8 goals in all so far (4 scored, 4 conceded), @ an average of a paltry 1.6 goals per game. Tis average is incidentally the lowest in the league — on the other end of the equation games involving Kelantan & Negeri Sembilan hv seen an average of 2.8 goals per game.

Tis statistic alone sums up coach V. Sundramoorthy's approach 2 the opening 5 matches -- overly cautious.

Upon analyzing his tactics & team selection, there will be more evidence 2 support tis argument.

Tactics

Sundram prefers 2 deploy a 4-5-1 formation, with a lone striker upfront. Agu Casmir was his natural 1st-choice striker b4 his injury. Captain Shahril Ishak has since deputised in a makeshift role.

Shahril has done an admirable job playing in an unfamiliar role — his efforts were recognized when he was selected by goal.com in the Malaysian Super League Team of the Week .

However, being a midfield man by trade, he has the inevitable tendency 2 drift deep 2 link up play 4 his team. When he does tat, LionsXII appear 2 play in a 4-6-0 formation & tis slows down the pace of attack.

The biggest threat fr LionsXII has come fr set pieces -- 2 out of the 4 goals scored so far has come fr a corner & a free-kick.

In modern football, set pieces should be a weapon 4 attacking teams. However, it should not be the ONLY weapon.

Against better defences & more organized units, LionsXII will struggle 2 get set-piece chances, let alone convert them. Tis 1-dimensional play has surely been noted by opposition scouts & it will only get harder 4 LionsXII if a different approach is not taken.

While it's understandable 2 line up more defensively away fr home, Sundram may consider playing more attacking football @ Jalan Besar. Agu has since recovered fr his injury & the opportunity is now 4 Sundram 2 set the team up in a more attack-minded 4-4-2 formation, with another striker supporting Agu.

While LionsXII often dominate possession in most of their games, the creative spark going 4ward has been missing.

The mindset of the team is often set by the coach, so Sundram should urge his team 2 throw bodies 4ward @ every opportunity, rather than simply sitting back 2 soak the pressure.

Team Selection

After 5 matches, it is clear who Sundram's favoured 1st XI r.

There r 29 players in the squad & the coach has utilized 21 of those players. However, there has been very little tinkering with the 1st XI -- 7 players hv started in every single game, & 4 of the 7 hv played every single minute of every match.

4 other players — Safuwan Baharudin, Baihakki Khaizan, Irwan Shah & Agu Casmir — would probably hv started all the matches, if not 4 injuries & suspensions.

Like Shahril Ishak, vice-captain Hariss Harun has also been often played out of position as centre-back, whenever Sundram is missing either of Safuwan & Baihakki.

All these suggest tat Sundram is playing it safe. Rather than experimenting with new players, he has opted 4 the best 11 -- even if they're played out of position -- in the hope tat they can deliver.

The decision 2 play Shahril Ishak upfront clearly highlights his reluctance 2 take a gamble & blood some of his junior players. Gabriel Quak, Fazli Ayob & Sufian Anuar r all listed as 4wards in the official squad list, but all of them hv been overlooked.

Yes, ultimately, football is a results business — 3 points 4 every league game is the ultimate prize & every strategy should be geared 2wards obtaining those 3 points, by whatever means possible.

However, football is also in the entertainment business. The truth is no fan likes 2 witness defensive performances all the time.

LionsXII fans who make the effort 2 travel to the stadia -- both home & away -- deserve better. The time is ripe 4 Sundram 2 mix & match the pack tat was given 2 him & urge the team 2 be more attack-minded.

Aft last weekend's disappointing 1-0 defeat 2 Terengganu, wat harm would it do 2 give the fringe players in the squad a chance 2 prove their worth?

I am a big believer in fortune favouring the brave over time.

The more important question is, does Sundram?

Damon Yeo was a barely a teenager when Singapore won the double in Malaysia back in 1994 but has not stopped supporting the national team & the S-League since.

[S.B.Y.1]

Selangor 3 vs Lions 0

[lacoruna69]

Originally Posted by S.B.Y.1

Selangor 3 vs Lions 0

I pick Selangor 2 - 1 LionsXII

The Lions only goal will be scored by Sundram....

[2centsworth]

Originally Posted by S.B.Y.1

Selangor 3 vs Lions 0

Really? This Selangor team looks as weak as this Singapore team. Their last home match has an attendance of 2000 as reported in The New Paper. Only 2000 fans watched Selangor's last home match. How times have changed. KL and Selangor have really fallen so much.

Selangor 1 Singapore 1 for me. Fairer result.

[joew2005]

http://sg.news.yahoo.com/malaysian-s...2--soccer.html

Malaysian Sports Minister calls for serious action after 18 players banned for match-fixing

Malaysia's Youth & Sports Minister Ahmad Shabery Cheek has called 4authorities 2 find the root of match fixing aft 18 players were banned fr football-related activities for 2-5 years aft being found guilty of the offence.

The FA of Malaysia (FAM) announced over the weekend tat the players, fr 3 different clubs, would receive lengthy suspensions 4 their offences committed @ the national under-21 President's Cup in 2011.

A former Negeri Sembilan coach was also handed a life-time ban 4 his role in the scandal.

“I will direct the respective authorities 2 investigate & find out the source of the match-fixing scandal,” Shabery Cheek said according 2 Malaysia’s Bernama news agency.

The names of the players & the coach will only be officially released on Wednesday.

Investigations had begun last December over allegations tat the players had been involved in football related illegal activities with 3 individuals who had already been charged with bribing players.

The news comes in the same week tat Sultan Ahmad Shah, the FAM & AFF President, called on players involved in match-fixing 2 hv the conscience leave the game willingly.

“It is a sin 2 be involved in match-fixing & players should realized tat they should consider themselves lucky able 2 get paid just 2 play football,” said Sultan Ahmad.

“It is unacceptable. I would like 2 state now tat whoever is involved in match-fixing, I will take action.”

[joew2005]

Fixtures in FEB 2012

08.02.2012
Kuala Lumpur FA - Kedah FA
Terengganu FA - PKNS FC
Sabah FA - Kelantan FA
Johor FC - Felda United
Negeri Sembilan FA - PBDKT T-Team
Perak FA - Sarawak FA
Selangor FA - Singapore LIONSXII

10.02.2012
Kelantan FA - Terengganu FA

11.02.2012
Kuala Lumpur FA - Johor FC
PBDKT T-Team - Perak FA
Singapore LIONSXII - Negeri Sembilan FA
Sarawak FA - Felda United
Kedah FA - Sabah FA
PKNS FC - Selangor FA

14.02.2012
Felda United - PBDKT T-Team
Terengganu FA - Kedah FA
Sabah FA - Kuala Lumpur FA
Johor FC - Sarawak FA
Negeri Sembilan FA - PKNS FC
Perak FA - Singapore LIONSXII
Selangor FA - Kelantan FA


Latest Table Standings
01. Kelantan FA P5 W4 D1 L0 GF11 GA3 GD+8 Pts=13
02. Terengganu FA P5 W4 D0 L1 GF7 GA2 GD+5 Pts=12
03. Perak FA P5 W4 D0 L1 GF6 GA3 GD+3 Pts=12
04. Negeri Sembilan FA P5 W2 D2 L1 GF8 GA6 GD+2 Pts=8
05. Selangor FA P5 W2 D2 L1 GF5 GA4 GD+1 Pts=8
06. PBDKT T-Team P5 W2 D1 L2 GF8 GA4 GD+4 Pts=7
07. Singapore LIONSXII P5 W2 D1 L2 GF4 GA4 GD0 Pts=7
08. Johor FC P5 W2 D0 L3 GF6 GA7 GD-1 Pts=6
09. Felda United P5 W2 D0 L3 GF4 GA6 GD-2 Pts=6
10. Sarawak FA P5 W1 D2 L2 GF5 GA5 GD0 Pts=5
11. Sabah FA P5 W1 D2 L2 GF4 GA6 GD-2 Pts=5
11. PKNS FC P5 W0 D4 L1 GF5 GA6 GD-1 Pts=4
13. Kedah FA P5 W0 D2 L3 GF1 GA9 GD-8 Pts=2
14. Kuala Lumpur FA P5 W0 D1 L4 GF2 GA11 GD-9 Pts=1

http://www.futbol24.com/national/Mal...r-League/2012/

[ObamaRock]

I think Selangor will beat Singapore tonight

[lacoruna69]

Originally Posted by 2centsworth

Really? This Selangor team looks as weak as this Singapore team. Their last home match has an attendance of 2000 as reported in The New Paper. Only 2000 fans watched Selangor's last home match. How times have changed. KL and Selangor have really fallen so much.

Selangor 1 Singapore 1 for me. Fairer result.

Spot on!! FT score is indeed 1-1.

[joew2005]

Fixtures in FEB 2012

08.02.2012
Kuala Lumpur FA 0-1 Kedah FA
Terengganu FA 1-1 PKNS FC
Sabah FA 0-0 Kelantan FA
Johor FC 1-1 Felda United
Negeri Sembilan FA 2-1 PBDKT T-Team
Perak FA 2-1 Sarawak FA
Selangor FA 1-1 Singapore LIONSXII

10.02.2012
Kelantan FA - Terengganu FA

11.02.2012
Kuala Lumpur FA - Johor FC
PBDKT T-Team - Perak FA
Singapore LIONSXII - Negeri Sembilan FA
Sarawak FA - Felda United
Kedah FA - Sabah FA
PKNS FC - Selangor FA

14.02.2012
Felda United - PBDKT T-Team
Terengganu FA - Kedah FA
Sabah FA - Kuala Lumpur FA
Johor FC - Sarawak FA
Negeri Sembilan FA - PKNS FC
Perak FA - Singapore LIONSXII
Selangor FA - Kelantan FA


Latest Table Standings
01. Perak FA P6 W5 D0 L1 GF8 GA4 GD+4 Pts=15
02. Kelantan FA P6 W4 D2 L0 GF11 GA3 GD+8 Pts=14
02. Terengganu FA P6 W4 D1 L1 GF8 GA3 GD+5 Pts=13
04. Negeri Sembilan FA P6 W3 D2 L1 GF10 GA7 GD+3 Pts=11
05. Selangor FA P6 W2 D3 L1 GF6 GA5 GD+1 Pts=9
06. Singapore LIONSXII P6 W2 D2 L2 GF5 GA5 GD0 Pts=8
07. PBDKT T-Team P6 W2 D1 L3 GF9 GA6 GD+3 Pts=7
08. Johor FC P6 W2 D1 L3 GF7 GA8 GD-1 Pts=7
09. Felda United P6 W2 D1 L3 GF5 GA7 GD-2 Pts=7
10. Sabah FA P6 W1 D3 L2 GF4 GA6 GD-2 Pts=6
11. Sarawak FA P6 W1 D2 L3 GF6 GA7 GD-1 Pts=5
12. PKNS FC P6 W0 D5 L1 GF6 GA7 GD-1 Pts=5
13. Kedah FA P6 W1 D2 L3 GF2 GA9 GD-7 Pts=5
14. Kuala Lumpur FA P6 W0 D1 L5 GF2 GA12 GD-10 Pts=1

http://www.futbol24.com/national/Mal...r-League/2012/

[joew2005]

Singapore LIONSXII Fixtures/Results

10.01.2012 : Singapore LIONSXII 1-2 Kelantan FA (LOST)
14.01.2012 : Kedah FA 0-0 Singapore LIONSXII (DRAW)
17.01.2012 : Singapore LIONSXII 2-1 Kuala Lumpur FA (WIN)
21.01.2012 : Sabah FA 0-1 Singapore LIONSXII (WIN)
28.01.2012 : Singapore LIONSXII 0-1 Terengganu FA (LOST)
08.02.2012 : Selangor FA 1-1 Singapore LIONSXII (DRAW)
11.02.2012 : Singapore LIONSXII vs Negeri Sembilan FA
14.02.2012 : Perak FA vs Singapore LIONSXII
18.02.2012 : UiTM FC vs Singapore LIONSXII (FAC Round of 32)
06.03.2012 : Singapore LIONSXII vs Felda United
17.03.2012 : Sarawak FA vs Singapore LIONSXII
20.03.2012 : Singapore LIONSXII vs Selangor FA
31.03.2012 : Singapore LIONSXII vs PBDKT T-Team
03.04.2012 : Negeri Sembilan FA vs Singapore LIONSXII
07.04.2012 : Johor FC vs Singapore LIONSXII
10.04.2012 : Singapore LIONSXII vs Perak FA
14.04.2012 : PKNS FC vs Singapore LIONSXII
17.04.2012 : Singapore LIONSXII vs PKNS FC
04.05.2012 : Kelantan FA vs Singapore LIONSXII
08.05.2012 : Felda United vs Singapore LIONSXII
12.05.2012 : Singapore LIONSXII vs Kedah FA
15.05.2012 : Kuala Lumpur FA vs Singapore LIONSXII
22.05.2012 : Singapore LIONSXII vs Sarawak FA
16.06.2012 : Singapore LIONSXII vs Sabah FA
19.06.2012 : Terengganu FA vs Singapore LIONSXII
10.07.2012 : PBDKT T-Team vs Singapore LIONSXII
14.07.2012 : Singapore LIONSXII vs Johor FC

[joew2005]

http://sg.sports.yahoo.com/blogs/fit...160110649.html

LionsXII cancelled out by Selangor

A disappointing turnout did not hamper the mood 4 Selangor & LionsXII who fought out a competitive 1-1 draw in Bukit Jalil Stadium.

Selangor was without their foreign signings Ramez Dayoub & Basko Balaban who were still awating their International Transfer Certificate while LionsXII had a near full-strength side tat also included Baihakki Khaizan. Madhu Mohana meanwhile made his debut partnering Baihakki in the heart of defence.

Selangor started strongly with Safiq Rahim testing Izwan Mahbud with a freekick inside the opening 10 mins. The home side then carved open Singapore's back line again thru a brilliant link-up play betw Safiq & Fitri Shazwan but the former's shot in the end was straight @ the LionsXII custodian.

Singapore finally tested Selangor goalkeeper Norazlan Razali on 19 mins. A deep cross fell 2 Baihakki & his shot 2 the near post was well-blocked by the custodian who then denied Agu Casmir immediately aft, snatching a looping header fr slipping under the crossbar.

But the breakthrough finally came 2 mins fr the break. A deep cross was allowed 2 float by Shahril who was offside but picked up by Raihan Rahman @ the far post. The midfielder then cut the ball back 2 the Lions captain who sidestepped his marker b4 brilliantly powering home fr the centre of the penalty box, leaving nothing tat Norazlan Razali could hv done.

Selangor however pulled level almost immediately aft. In injury time Amri Yahyah laid off 4 K.Gurusamy & his 1st-time volley fr outside the penalty box bulged the netting as Izwan stood rooted 2 his spot.

The 2nd-half was a relative muted affair as the 2 evenly matched teams cancelled each other out. Safiq & Amri had the 2 best chances, with the former seeing his 1-on-1 effort thwarted by Izwan near the hour mark while Amri passed on a free-header infront of goal in the final 10 mins of play.

It was another disappointing night 4 Irfan Bakti & the Red Giants as they moved further away fr the leading pack but 4 the LionsXII, the draw would be a valuable point earned.

[2centsworth]

Originally Posted by lacoruna69

Spot on!! FT score is indeed 1-1.

I'm officially bald. Kept tearing my hair out. We look really toothless in attack. Selangor is really very different from 1994. Just look at the 3000 crowd, we pack more people in Jalan Besar and Jalan Besar is such a small stadium when compared to Kallang Stadium.

[Summersnowz]

I think our young team still need some time before they can bring back the excitement we used to have 20 years ago.

[joew2005]

http://sg.sports.yahoo.com/blogs/fit...074215089.html

Nor Alam Shah exit sparks crisis at Arema FC

As many as 12 Arema FC players r believed 2 hv submitted resignation letters aft missing training on Tuesday & Wednesday, following the departure of Noh Alam.

The players r believed 2 be unhappy with the management & the strike was in direct relation 2 the Singapore 4ward's resignation over the weekend.

"4 those who missed training, the reasons were not clear," said Arema coach Dejan Antonic 2 Goal.com

"There was no notice & therefore I can't make any statement. So, we do not know,"

Of the squad of 29 players in Arema, 12 r on strike leaving just a few core players left 2 train.

"At least we know which players r professional & disciplined," added Antonic.

Meanwhile Arema media officer, Noor Ramadan told Goal.com tat there was no clear guidelines on dealing with players who go on strike.

"Obviously management will refer 2 the contract," said Noor.

"There is no clause abt the rights & obligations. However, now we concentrate on the matter of the players who quit 1st. That's our priority."

The latest development has nevertheless affected the crisis-stricken club who hv appealed 2 the Indonesian Football Associaiton (PSSI) 2 postpone their Indonesian Premier League match against Bontang FC on Saturday.

"We did send a letter regarding inability 2 complete scheduled fixtures. We do hope tat the match will be re-scheduled & not get Arema kicked out fr the IPL event," explained Noor.

"There r 2 many players who did not 1 2 attend training.

"Most of the players who didn't were obviously very influential in the preparation of the team. So, we ask tat they re-schedule our match against Bontang"

But the dire strait of the club following Noh Alam's resignation was evident as Noor added, "We r submitting tis request becos the current conditions 4 Arema really constitute an emergency."

Noh Alam Shah had initially refused further comments with the media over concerns tat his 'big brother' status with his team-mates might spark unrest & the player did not wish 2 strain ties with the club.

With his fears now coming true, & Arema being embroiled in turmoil, Noh Alam has decided 2 avoid the media given the deteriorating situation @ the club.


Perhap Noh Alam Shah can come LIGHT up the MSL.

[lacoruna69]

Originally Posted by joew2005

http://sg.sports.yahoo.com/blogs/fit...074215089.html

Nor Alam Shah exit sparks crisis at Arema FC

Perhaps Noh Alam Shah can come LIGHT up the MSL.

So that's where he is.....but overly cautious Sundram might not take to the highly UN-disciplined player.....