Harimau Muda A Return To Slovakia

After narrowly losing 1-0 to Chelsea in a friendly the Harimau Muda now continue their football education in Slovakia.

26/07 v FK Bodva Moldova 1-0

30/07 v MFK Topvar Topolcany 2-1

02/08 v Tatran Liptovsky Mikulas

09/08 v Honved (Hungary)

16/08 v MFK Dolny Kubin

23/08 v FC Nitra

26/08 v FC Levice

Honved are one of the great names in European football and for me conjure up the 1950s when the Hungary were perhaps the best football nation in the world. They would send teams to play in England, Honved being one, and about all that remains are black and white photographs showing packed terraces, heavy mists and weak floodlights.

Next year the Harimau Muda will be competing in the SLeague.

Did I tell you Malaysia look set to dominate South East Asian Football for a long time to come?

The Squad

Goalkeepers: Zamer Selamat, Izham Tarmizi Roslan, K. Sasikumar;

Defenders: Zubir Azmi, Nazirul Naim Che Hashim, Amer Saidin, Fandi Othman, Affizie Faisal Mamat, Azrul Azmi, Syazwan Tajuddin, Nazmi Faiz Mansor;

Midfield: Ferris Danial Mat Nasir, Wan Zaharulnizam Wan Zakaria, Faizal Abu Bakar, Abdul Shukur Jusoh, Gary Steven Robbat, Wan Zack Haikal Wan Nor, Azrif Nasrulhaq Badrul Hisham;

Strikers: Irfan Fazail, A. Thamil Arasu, Syahrul Azwari Ibrahim, Ahmad Hazwan Bakri, Izuan Solahuddin.

SOURCE - Malaysia Football

Indonesia Arrange Friendly?

A local paper is saying that Indonesia will play Malaysia in a friendly in Jakarta on 10 August, during the fasting month.

The two countries famously last met in the AFF Cup Final in 2010 which Malaysia won 4-2 on aggregate. Both legs attracted a combined attendance of more than 180,000 fans!

Singapore League Cup Final

SINGAPORE, 31 JULY 2011: Albirex Niigata (S) FC emerged as the 2011 League Cup champions after a pulsating match at Jalan Besar Stadium against Hougang United FC that ended in a penalty shootout.

The curtain raiser for the 2011 League Cup Final was the 3rd place playoff between Tampines Rovers FC and Home United FC. The match saw a few close moments which got the fans up on their feet. With both teams being unable to break the deadlock in regulation time, the 3rd place playoff had to be decided via penalty kicks in which Tampines emerged as winners.

The main event of the evening kicked off at 7.45pm with Albirex Niigata (S) FC and Hougang United FC facing off in the 2011 League Cup Final, a first for both teams. Despite being the underdogs in this tie, Hougang United FC wasted no time getting into the game.

Victor Borges of Hougang United, came close in the 12th minute to give his side an early lead but his shot missed the target by just inches. He struck again six minutes later and this time, his low shot was saved by Yoshito Matsushita, Albirex Niigata’s No.1.

Albirex Niigata gave Fadhil Salim, Hougang’s goalkeeper, his first real test in the 31st minute where he had to make an outstretched save to keep his side in the game. The first half ended with the score unchanged.

Both teams came back onto the pitch looking for a win in the second half and it showed in the pace of the game. Albirex used their advantage in speed to break down Hougang’s rock steady defensive line but each attacking move was effectively soothed by Hougang.

Hougang too were unable to penetrate Albirex’s defence despite the numerous chances they created from both flanks. After playing a full 90 minutes and with the score unchanged, the match went into extra time. Unfortunately, the extra 30 minutes were also not enough to decide the 2011 League Cup winner and the match then proceeded into penalties.

When it came down to holding their nerves, Albirex Niigata emerged winners as they converted all five penalties while Hougang missed their fifth penalty. The final score read, Albirex Niigata (S) FC 5-4 Hougang United FC. It is the first title for the Japanese side since their inception into the S.League in 2004.

Speaking at the post-match press conference, Hougang United coach Aide Iskandar said “Both teams were cautious when we started the game, and I thought that it was an entertaining game for the fans to watch. Chances were created from both sides. I felt that we could have sealed the match in the second half of extra time, but unfortunately we had to work through the penalties. I also feel sorry for the boys because they gave their all and played very well. Moving forward, we will look towards the RHB Singapore Cup and the S.League.”

“Although we did not play at a higher tempo than usual, compared to our previous matches, we played possession football and our players were still able to pass the ball and keep the ball well till the end of the match. We did prepare for the penalty kicks as apart of our training and it came in handy. I would like to thank the players, coaches, all staff in the club for helping make this dream come through.” said Albirex Niigata coach Koichi Sugiyama.

Congratulations Alibirex Niigata (S) FC for being crowned as the 2011 League Cup Champions!

Final Score: Albirex Niigata (S) FC 5-4 Hougang United FC

Abirex Niigata (S) FC Starting Line-up:
Yoshito Matsushita, Ryuta Hayashi, Shuhei Hotta, Kazuki Kobayashi, Atsushi Shimono (Musashi Okuyama 111) , Bruno Castanheira (Yosuke Saito 74), Shimpei Sakurada (C), Tatsuro Inui, Shotaro Ihata, Norihiro Kawakami, Takuya Hidaka

Hougang United FC Starting Line-up:
Fadhil Salim, Lau Meng Meng, Shariff Samat (C), Shahril Alias, Fathi Yunus, Azhar Sairudin (Sobrie Mazlan 91), Jordan Webb, Ratna Suffian, Vitor Borges, Carlos Delgado, Noor Ali

SOURCE - FAS Press Release

World Cup 3rd Round Qualifying Details

02/09 China v Singapore, Australia v Thailand, Iran v Indonesia

06/09 Singapore v Iraq, Thailand v Oman, Indonesia v Bahrain

11/10 Singapore v Jordan, Thailand v Saudi Arabia, Indonesia v Qatar

11/11 Jordan v Singapore, Saudi Arabia v Thailand, Qatar v Indonesia

15/11 Singapore v China, Thailand v Australia, Indonesia v Iran

29/02 Iraq v Singapore, Oman v Thailand, Bahrain v Indonesia

World Cup 3rd Round Qualifiers

Three South East Asian teams will be listening carefully to this Saturday's World Cup draw. Their fate will be decided along with the other 17 remaining countries on the road to Brazil.

Indonesia, Thailand and Singapore will not be drawn against each other, that's for sure. Instead they will face one from each of the following 'pots'.

POT 1

Japan, Australia, South Korea, Iran, China

POT 2

Uzbekistan, Qatar, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait

POT 3

Bahrain, Syria, Oman, Iraq, UAE

The road to Brazil obviously goes through the Middle East!

Indonesia v Turkmenistan 4-3

Last night was a night of the unexpected. Nobody expected a crowd of 88,000, least of all PSSI officials who had apparently only prepared 64,00 tickets.

Nobody expected Indonesia to come flying out the traps and dominate the first half in the complete manner they did.

But in another way it was wholly predictable. Put any defense under sustained pressure and the chances are they will soon wilt. Indonesia's back line is no exception. Granted the Turkmenistan threat wasn't that great through most of the game but they showed glimpses of what they were capable of.

Two goals in the last few minutes gave the Indonesian support palpitations as the home team struggled to get even the basics of football right. Don't give the bloody ball to the other team.

How much of an impact did Indonesia's substitutions have on the climatic final few minutes that almost saw their World Cup hopes extinguished before they had even started.

On 78' captain Firman Utina and wide man M Ilham, who had scored Indonesia's goal in the 1st leg, were replaced by Tony Sucipto and Oktavianus Maniani. The score was 4-1, for the home team it should have been a case of what we have we hold. Sucipto can do that in the middle of the park. But Okta?

Okta came into the Indonesian squad during the AFF Cup last year and created an immediate impact alongside Irfan Bachdim. For a new generation of fans these two were Indonesia! Okta is a runner in the Forrest Gump mould. Just faster. Tell him to run and run he wil though you had better point out which way you want him to run.

Sticking him up front alongside a tiring Boas Solossa, you could see what coach Wim Rijsbergen was trying to achieve. Keep the Turkmen nervous at the back, let them face a bit of pace in the dying stages.

Instead of holding the ball, instead of working the ball to the corner flag and keeping it there to run down the clock they would attack pell mell, lose the ball then hope nothing developed with the counter.

Still, it's water under the bridge now. The records will show Indonesia won 4-3 on the night, 5-4 on aggregate and now await Saturday's draw knowing they will have to face one of Australia, Japan, South Korea, Bahrain and North Korea along with two other nations.

Changed Expectations Fuel Malaysian Woes

Back in 2008 Malaysia were drawn against Thailand, Vietnam and Laos in the ASEAN Football Federation Cup. After defeating Laos 3-0 hopes were high in the homeland that finally the Hariamau would make an impression in the region's leading competition. But successive defeats against Vietnam and Malaysia soon ended those hopes.

Then in January 2009 Malaysia hosted United Arab Emirates in an AFC Asian Cup Qualifier played at the KL Stadium in Cheras. The UAE won 5-0 in front of a sparse crowd and nobody could think of anything positive to say about Malaysian football.

The national team had become a farce alongside the governing body. The whole country seemed more interested in Manchester United and Liverpool than their own teams. One of the teams that made up the Malaysian Super League was founded from an American Idol type show...things had got that desperate.

Then, in a what was a surprise to many, Malaysia won the SEA Games in 2009. It shouldn't have been. They had been working very hard behind the scenes to put together a programme that would allow the very best local talent to bloom and prosper. The SEA Gams tiumph was just an early vindication.

A year later the full team won the AFF Cup with a young squad featuring many of the players who had SEA Games gold at home. Suddenly the laughing stock of the region had become the Double Kings of ASEAN and with a squad mostly aged about 24 and with a conveyor belt of talent behind them Malaysia seemed set fair to rule ASEAN for a long time to come.

Defeat in the World Cup Qualifier hasn't ended that dream. With the SEA Games later this year and Malaysia still in with a chance of reaching the Olympic Games in London next year there is still plenty for the fan of Malaysian football to crow about.

Losing to your bitterest foes is never easy. It's not meant to be. But this could be a pivotal moment for the young players in the yellow and black. The 4-6 reverse against Singapore is their first defeat in competitive football since those AFC Asian up Qualifiers in 2009 when they lost all four games.

How they respond will be crucial and coach Rajagobal will no doubt be keen to get his boys out playing as soon as possible.

Time For A South East Asian Football Show?

Malaysia v Indonesia 90,000

Indonesia v Malaysia 96,000

Malaysia v Arsenal 65,000

Malaysia v Liverpool 85,000

Singapore v Malaysia 6,000 (sell out)

Malaysia v Singapore 90,000

Indonesia v Turkmenistan 88,000

Some pretty impressive numbers there! A few years back Star Sports used to have a show called Top Corner that highlighted football in the region. Given the million and one stories currently happening in the region surely it's time for a new one?

Persipura Fancy Mustafic?

A story in yesterday's Top Skor suggests Persipura are interested in signing Singaporean international Mustafic Fahruddin!

Farra has just returned to the SLeague after two seasons in Indonesia playing with Persija and Persela but the Indonesian champions seem to think they can entice the defensive midfielder with the prospect of AFC Cup football.

Singapore Cup Quarter Finals

14/08 Tampines Rovers v Home United

15/08 SAFFC v Albirex Niigata

16/08 Hougang United v Okkthar United

17/08 Gombak United v Etoile

18/08 Home United v Tampines Rovers

19/08 Okkthar United v Hougang United

20/08 Etoile v Gombak United

21/08 Albirex Niigata v SAFFC

Last year of course Bangkok Glass beat Tampines Rovers 1-0 in the final.

Ref Could Cancel Thai Advantage

Thailand play Palestine in their World Cup Qualifier Second Leg knowing that their 1-0 lead is no way near enough. The shot shy Thais have been notorious for their inability to turn their silky build up play in to goals and new coach Winifred Schaeffer found out the hard way in the 1st leg.

As if that ain't enough the Thais may face a further handicap. I think I heard somewhere the ref for this game is from Bahrain. Now I don't know what the stats tell on this but how many non Arab teams get a result in that part of the world when the game is being reffed by an Arab?

I have heard on a couple of occasions of teams waiting in the tunnel and the match officials coming along and hugging their Arab brethren while just offering a cursory handshake to the visitors. Maybe something or nothing but it hardly inspires confidence in he impartiality of the officials when they're high fiving the home team.

Defending Ain't An Option

Singapore will go into the Tiger's Den tonight holding a two goal advantage over Malaysia but Raddy Avramovic will know that for all his team's five goals in the first leg at Jalan Besar Stadium, the lead is paper thin.

Roared on by 90,000 Malaysians keen to rip a new one for their rivals Avramovic will be wary of a defence that shipped three goals including one that came about because of a comedy of errors at the back while many fans will still entering the stadium.

Ideally Singapore would need to emulate that early, early goal. That would turn the home support jittery and it would also leave the Malaysian defence on edge. Because the rearguard has been like Deep Throat...the source of many a leak.

Malaysia have concede four against Arsenal, six against Liverpool and five against Singapore in their last three outings and while coach Rajagobal may be confident his attack minded team will penetrate the Lions back line he knows his team remain vulnerable and confidence low in that area of the field.

It doesn't help Malaysia's cause that captain and inspirational midfielder Safiq Rahim as well as striker Norshahrul will both be missing.

Right from the get go Singapore will want to be getting among the Malaysians. Mustafic Fahruddin and Hariss Harun, both so impressive in the first leg, will need to be on top form again tonight to break up any Malaysian attacks early on.

An early goal and perhaps Singaporeans may start to believe round three beckons...

When The World Cup is Not A Priority

My latest Jakarta Globe column!

Singapore U23 v Myanmar U23

SINGAPORE, 27 July 2011: The Singapore Under-23 side secured a 1-0 win over Myanmar Under-23 in an International Friendly match that was played this evening at the Jalan Besar Stadium.

The match got off to a slow with both teams looking to put their game plan into place. The Singapore U-23 team got the first shot of the game but it was directed straight at Myanmar U-23’s goalkeeper, Hein Kyaw Thu.

Myanmar U-23s came close to breaking the deadlock on a few occasions but they had their chances thwarted by the Singapore defence. The same could be said for the Singapore side as they too were unable to find the back of the net.

Just twenty minutes into the first half, Khairul Nizam pulled his hamstring while chasing a long pass from his team mate, forcing him to him to be substituted by Nigel Vanu. The first half then ended with the score-line unchanged.

Coming back on the field for the second-half, the teams surged forward in numbers to get into the lead as both sides tried to dominate play. As tackles flew in from all corners in a highly aggressive match, Singapore was awarded a penalty in the 49th minute after Nigel Vanun was brought down in the penalty box while trying to break free from his defender.

Fazli Ayob converted the spot-kick brilliantly to give his team a well deserved lead in the second half. Myanmar responded immediately and saw their effort hit the bar after beating Syazwan Buhari, Singapore U-23 custodian.

With Myanmar chasing for the equalizer, they kept pressure on the Singapore defensive wall with repeated attacking moves from both flanks. In the 68th minute, Irwan Shah was sent off after receiving his second yellow card in the game.

The Myanmar U-23 team capitalized on the advantage of an extra man and pushed further for that elusive goal. Despite all the chances created, they were unable to penetrate the strong defensive line-up that the Singapore U-23 team had set up.

The match ended in Singapore’s favour with the scoreboard reading Singapore U-23 1-0 Myanmar U-23.

Speaking at the post-match press conference, Myanmar Under-23 Coach Gerd Friedrich Horst Zeise said that he was extremely proud of his players and felt that they played well tonight. “I said before the result is not so important. Of course we want to win but for me, it was more important that we prepare the team for the future.”

“We must to go abroad to get more experience and we can’t keep playing in our own country and club teams. We must have challenge abroad.” He answered if the match was good preparation for the SEA games.

“The boys did well and they created numerous chances throughout the game even when we had ten men on the field. And I am pleased with their performance. These boys have good potential and we can build from here definitely.” Said Singapore Under-23 Coach Robin Chitrakar.

In preparation for the SEA Games, Coach Robin said “Being our first real test in preparation of SEA Games, I think it was good performance and we got the result we wanted.”

Score: Singapore Under-23 1-0 Myanmar Under-23

Goalscorer: Fazli Ayob, 49th minute (penalty)

Starting Line-up for Singapore U-23: Syazwan Buhari, Fazli Ayob (Fadhil Noh 61) , Hafiz Sujad, Fairoz Hasan, Shahir Hamzah (Abdul Hadi 51), Faris Ramli (Shamil Sharif 89), Khairul Nizam (Nigel Vanu 22), Irwan Shah (c), Safirul Sulaiman, Al-Qaasimy Rahman (Emmeric Ong 55), Gary Loo (Stanely Ng 79)

Starting Line-up for Myanmar Under-23:
Hein Kyaw Thu, Wai Phyo Lwin (Aung Hein Kyaw 39), Ye Lin Naing (c), Ye Win Aung, Min Ko Ko, Ye Ko Oo (Thant Zin 85), Phyo Maung Maung Kyaw (Aung Ko Ko Win 69), Thiha Zaw (Soe Paing Thway 63), Kaung Sat Naing, Thet Naing (Yan Niang Htwe 56), HtooAung Moe (Yan Naing Aung 43)

SOURCE - FAS

LPI Announcement

Remember the Liga Primer Indonesia? You know, that league funded by a wealthy businessman set up to rival the FA sanctioned Indonesia Super League? Nah, still can't remember? Come on...the one that promised to change the game?

Well it has been on a mid season break since the end of May I think it is. Initially the break was only supposed to be a couple of weeks or so. Then it was announced the second half of the season would commence in September.

Now it has been indefinitely postponed pending discussions with the FA about how to run the two leagues in tandem or how to merge them.

I guess that means more 10 km training runs then, eh lads?

Pasoepati Heading To Jakarta

The fans of Persis Solo, known as Pasoepati, have had a miserable few years as their team has all but fallen off the football map. While their team withers away they have taken to following Solo Ksatria in the Liga Primer Indonesia and, as is their want, following them in big numbers.

Tomorrow expect to see some Pasoepati in Jakarta as several of them will be heading to the Bung Karno to, hopefeully, see Indonesia defeat Turkmenistan and make it to the next round of the World Cup qualifiers.

Fantastic support, it's a shame those that run the game don't show the same passion and dedication...

Fortune To Move?

Udo Fortune had a phenomenal season with Persiba Bantul in the Divisi Utama in season 2010/2011. As well as helping the team to get promotion to the Indonesia Super League he personally managed to net an impressive 34 goals.

Now however it appears he is not willing to stay with the team based near Yogyakarta and is looking for a new team. Expect the big ISL teams to be sniffing round the striker who also had spells with Arema and Balestier Khalsa.

SEA Games Moved?

It was reported locally the the venue for the SEA Games this November was being moved from Palembang to Jakarta. Apparently the Jakabaring Stadium is being used for the opening and closing ceremonies as well!

Palembang was also supposed to host the AFF Under 23s earlier this month but that was delayed or has been cancelled. Difficult to tell which, it can be difficult to get straight answers in this part of the world at times!

Anyway what was the point of having the AFF Under 23s and the SEA Games? The latter is also an Under 23 competition!

Tiga Persatuan Hutang MOM RM93,0000 - Sieh Kok Chi

KUALA LUMPUR, 26 Julai (Bernama) -- Atlet daripada tiga persatuan sukan berhadapan dengan kemungkinan 'terlepas' peluang menyertai temasya Sukan Sea ke-26 di Indonesia sekiranya persatuan sukan terlibat gagal melunaskan hutang berjumlah RM93,000 kepada Majlis Olimpik Malaysia (MOM).

Tiga persatuan sukan yang masih mempunyai tunggakan perbelanjaan untuk Sukan SEA ke-25 di Laos pada 2009 ialah Persatuan Bola Tampar Malaysia sebanyak RM51,000, Persekutuan Petanque Malaysia (RM38,00) dan Persatuan Silat Kebangsaan Malaysia (Pesaka) pula berjumlah RM4,000.

"MOM tidak akan membenarkan atlet yang bernaung di bawah persatuan tersebut bertanding di Indonesia sekiranya tunggakan itu masih belum dijelaskan," kata Setiausaha Kehormat MOM Datuk Sieh Kok Chi ketika dihubungi Bernama Selasa.

Pada temasya Sukan SEA Laos, pasukan bola tampar (pantai) memenangi satu pingat gangsa, petanque meraih dua pingat perak dan satu gangsa manakala pencak silat meraih empat pingat emas dan enam pingat perak.

Sieh berkata mesyuarat jawatankuasa eksekutif MOM bersetuju untuk meletakkan atlet-atlet sukan ekstrem yang akan beraksi di temasya Sukan SEA Indonesia di bawah kategori B.

Atlet kategori A ialah mereka yang melepasi syarat penyertaan secara merit manakala kategori B pula ialah atlet yang tidak melepasi syarat tersebut dan persatuan akan menanggung perbelanjaan mereka ke temasya itu.

Bagaimanapun, jika atlet kategori B berjaya mendapatkan pingat, sekurang-kurangnya perak, MOM akan membayar kembali sebahagian daripada perbelanjaan tersebut.

Pada Sukan SEA ke-26, Indonesia menawarkan sukan ekstrem seperti luncur angin, kasut roda, sukan memanjat, ski-air, kempo, perlumbaan bot tradisional dan vovinam (seni mempertahankan diri dari Vietnam).

Sukan SEA ke-26 akan berlangsung di Jakarta dan Palembang dari 11 hingga 25 Nov ini.



-- BERNAMA

Your Memories

Singaporeans love to talk about the day their Lions travelled to Malaysia and beat Pahang 4-0 to lift the Malaysia Cup.

I've been meaning to write about it for a while but to be honest I couldn't do it justice. If it's to be told it needs to be told by those who were there, who made the journey.

So if you were there then why not let me know about it and I will add your memories to this page!

Likewise it would be great if any Malaysians can remember the game from their view point!

Send your tale either by email or as a comment to this post...I look forward to hearing from you. Just one thing, keep 'em clean, polite and honest!

15 Elite Silat Exponents To Prepare For Sea Games In Chiang Mai

KUALA LUMPUR, July 25 (Bernama) -- Fifteen silat exponents from the National Silat Federation (Pesaka) will undergo training in Chiang Mai, Thailand from August 8-15 as part of their preparations for the 2011 SEA Games in Indonesia.

Pesaka coordinator Osman Nok said the eight-day stint was to prepare the silat exponents for the SEA Games in November.

"Besides training with the Thai athletes, they will also spar against each other and compete among themselves on August 11 and 12," he told Bernama.

He said, overall, 24 athletes would carry Malaysia's challenge in the 18 categories contested in the SEA Games.

"The 15 exponents identified for Chiang Mai are from the elite squad while the remaining nine will be absorbed into the back up squad and undergo training according to the phases set by Pesaka and the National Sport Council," he added.

-- BERNAMA

Aleksander Duric (Tampines Rovers & Singapore)

I'm not going to write a complete piece about Duric, life is too short, and anyway you can find all that on his Wiki page. Instead I'll just throw some numbers out there about this phenomenal professional footballer.

It looks like he started his career late, when he was in his early 20s, and despite only staying in Australia less than seven he managed to squeeze in nine clubs!

But it is in Singapore he has made his name and just check out his record since he first played for Tanjong Pagar United back in 1999.

Tanjong Pagar United 16 games, 15 goals

Home United 10 games, 11 goals

Geylang United 126 games, 148 goals

SAFFC 129 games, 157 goals

Now of course he is with Tampines and the 40 year old has only scored 26 goals in his 40 games. Piss poor you have to say!

For the national team he has managed 18 goals in his 36 appearances.

What's his secret? How can someone carry on playing past 40 and have netted more than 450 goals in a career spanning two decades?

As far as I can make out nothing more than hard work. He trains very hard and often and he takes care of his body. As athletes should do.

Forget your Wayne Rooneys and Emmanuel Adebayor, if you want a football role model check out this geezer...

Maybe It's Not All About Money

The highly rated coach of PSPS Pekanbaru has reportedly turned down a move to Persikabo. Abdulrahman Gurning led PSPS to a disappointing 11th spot in last season's Indonesia Super League while Persikabo again missed out on a return to the top flight after failing to achieve promotion from the second tier Divisi Utama.

This story suggests Gurning had been offered more money from the team who play at Cibinong Stadium, north of Bogor, but it seems he is happier in Pekanbau!

Not The Plastic Water Bottles

I've been watching football in South East Asia for a number of years now and crowd misbehaviour, while not as widespread as is made out, does happen on occasion. Not the all out brawls that plagued the game in England for so long but still enough to poison the atmosphere.

Kingdom of Football is reporting that fans of Prek Pra Keila recently turned a bit nasty after some refereeing decisions didn't go their way during their CLeague game with Build Bright University at the Olympic Stadium in Phnom Penh.

It's always the plastic water bottles that get caught in the firing in incidents like this. Never the police, they are usually the first ones on their toes. Unruly fans pick up the placcy bottles and use them as weapons, throwing them on the pitch or in the general direction of whoever is annoying them at the time.

Of course regulations are in place in most countries to stop fans entering stadiums carrying drinks of any kind but placcy bottles do get smuggled in and, apparently, get left full so they can be thrown with the precision of an English World Cup penalty.

But why this victimisation of something we all need. It is hot in this part of the world, we all need drinks once in a while. Some more often.

I've seen them used in Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia and even Singapore, yep, even Singapore. The plastic water bottle flying pitch ward is as much a part of the football scene in this part of the world as flexible fixture lists, bumpy pictures and overseas study trips for club officials.

Indonesia v Turkmenistan Ticket Prices

If you fancy getting along to see Indonesia take on Turkmenistan in the World Cup Qualifier this Thursday then tickets go on sale tomorrow in Jakarta at the stadium.

Category 3 - 30,000 IDR

Category 2 - 50,000 IDR

Category 1 - 100,000 IDR

East VIP - 150,000 IDR

West VIP - 250000 IDR

VVIP - 500,000 IDR

Indonesia got a 1-1 draw in the 1st leg last Saturday so are in with a good chance of reaching the next round if they can do the business over the Turkmen.

The last World Cup Qualifying was a disaster for Indonesia, losing 4-1 at home to Syria in the first leg. hey sent an Under 23 to Damascus and instead of a Sauline like conversion they got beat 7-0! And things had started so well. Indonesia had drawn Guam in the 1st leg and they had pulled out which was a relief as no travel agents in akarta knew how to get there!

Malaysian Ultras

Good to see a large number of Malaysian fans come down for the WCQ against Singapore. Some estimates suggest about 1,000.

As far as I can make out there were numbers of Negeri Sembilan and Selangor fans in that number and I also recall seeing a Johore state flag in the away enclosure.

Plenty written about incidents both during and after the game and as these pictures show one security official was pushed to the ground after he waded into the Malaysian fans during the second half.

But the Malaysian fans gave good support to their team and more than did their bit adding to a cauldron like atmosphere in the tiny stadium.

Highest & Lowest

Highest Thai Premier League 2011 Attendances

24,712 Buriram PEA v Chonburi

24,125 Buriram PEA v Chiang Rai United

21,370 Muang Thong United v Si Sa Ket

20,011 Muang Thong United v Buriram PEA

16,360 Buriram PEA v Thai Port

Lowest Thai Premier League 2011 Attendances

429 Navy v Pattaya United

437 TOT v Pattaya United

447 Pattaya United v Navy

629 Navy v TTM

673 Pattaya United v Osotspa

Can we learn anything from these numbers? eams from isarn, the north east, seem to attract large numbers both home and away though of course Buriram PEA's figures are, like their title bid this year, highly influenced by a man whose influence Roman Abramovich can only dream of. Bangkok of course is home to a large number of migrants from around the cound...many from the north east.

I could have sworn last year, or was it the year before, Navy were getting healthy crowds? Both them and Pattaya, from the eastern seaboard, have been playing 'away' from home this season which has no doubt had an impact on their numbers. Politicians with clout can summon the masses in the boonies, it's a bit harder elsewhere. TOT are also a nomadic club.

SOURCE - Dale's Chonburi site

World Cup Qualifiers 2014

1st Leg

Singapore v Malaysia 5-3

Turkmenistan v Indonesia 1-1

Thailand v Palestine 1-0

Not good for the Thais is it? The slenderest of leads to take to the middle east, defeat against Palestine would cap a memorable period in Thai football, coincidentally under FA boss Worawi Makudi, when they have failed in the SEA Games, the Asian Cup, the AFF Cup and now this? Still, he must be the right man for the job having just been elected.

The Big Pussycat Derby exceeded expectations. I will be writing more about it later but, in a nutshell, Malaysia went 1-0 within seconds, by half time it was 4-1 Singapore, two quick goals second half made it 4-3 but Duric using his strength made it 5 with about nine minutes left. But will it be enough?

Indonesia! Never thought they'd get a result there in a place most folks couldn't find on a map butthey done it and now, with the Bung Karno massive behind them, they are just 90 minutes away from a place in the 3rd Round draw.

Singapore v Malaysia 5-3

What a game!

What's The Safest Country In South East Asia?

You want mind games ahead of this evening's World Cup Qualifier between Singapore and Malaysia then I'll give you mind games.

Wrapped in cotton wool by an over protectitive government and left shaking in fear of their neighbouring countries by an unquestioning media, many Singaporeans sit secure in the knowledge that their country is safer than anywhere else.

Malaysia is filled with parang wielding maniacs while Indonesia is, well, Indonesia is Indonesia. So sits the prevailing view among the chattering classes.

Now comes a story that them perceptions may not be what they are cracked up to be!

A recent survey suggests that in fact it is Malaysia that is the safest nation in South East Asia, not Singapore!

I'm not normally of fan of much of the regional media and I'm bored with surveys generally but the timing of this is awesome and believe me, had this been printed in the UK media concerning say England and Germany ahead of a vital international it would have caused a firestorm!

When There Is No Plan B

Singapore prides itself on being a slick, efficient country where everythng works on time and there are no surprises. Maybe, but not in football.

Two or three years ago the National Stadium was scheduled to close while they built a glorious new hub, Singapore as well as Malaysia and Thailand call everything a hub. to carry football forward into the 32nd Century.

A Brazilian Olympic team was brought in and the game was marketed as the last farewell for the locally famous and internationally unknown Kallang Roar.

Then came the financial crisis and demolition of the National Stadium was postponed ad infinitum. Liverpool came, played in front of a big crowd. They played Thailand in front of 22,000, Vietnam in front of 48,000. Singaporean fans would turn up if they felt there was enough prestige attached to the game.

Finally it was decided to knock down the National Stadium. Now the problem with Singapore is that they hate sports in their own country. The next biggest stadium was Jalan Besar which holds about 6,000. The National Stadium held 60,000. While the new 'hub' was being built Singapore didn't have a stadium worthy of the name to host any big teams. Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea all made it to KL, up the road in Malaysia, but none of them considered Singapore because the country that made its name on being in the right place for the world's trade couldn't provide adequate sporting facilities for its people.

We now have the nonsense of Singapore hosting Malaysia in a World Cup Qualifier...and they lack a decent stadium! They could have used Larkin Stadium in Johor Bahru, just across the causeway in Malaysia. That probably holds about 25-30,000, enough for this fixture. But national pride is at stake. Why let people watch a game of football when it means the people who run the game would lose massive face because they can't hold it in their own country?

Instead Singapore will play at the game at Jalan Besar, a stadium which has a swimming pool behind one goal and a car park behind the other. Oh, and artificial grass.

Tickets went on sale earlier in the week and the FA announced that they would be only available to Singaporeans and as a thank you for their loyalty they could buy a maximum of four tickets each! Loyalty? Is soneone here havin' a Steffi? Singaporeans don't go to SLeague games, they won't pay the $5 to get in. They think the game in Singapore is shite and they think the players are thugs.

All of a sudden Singaporeans were queuing overnight for tickets at $18 a pop!Within hours the sold out notices had gone up and a few fans were left feeling disgruntled at having missed out. Even though they actually attend SLeague games...

It's a crying indictment of the city state's attitude to sport that we are left to witness what should be a cracking game in such a tiny stadium; that there was no alternative available because the priority is more expensive condominiums and malls.

Here's hoping the 4,000 tickets that were quickly snapped up find their way into the hands of supporters who fill the stadium and raise the roof and not touts hoping for a quick buck.

It's gonna be a great occasion despite the worst efforts of the authorities and the players of both sides deserve the raucous support of their followers.

Jajang Released By Pelita Jaya

Jajang Maulyana was touted as one of Indonesia's next big things when he broke on to the scene in Pelita Jaya's relatively successful 2007 season. He'd spent time on loan in Brazil and had created an impact in then coach Fandi Ahmad's youthful, attack minded sided.

The Yong Eagles howver were not able to build on that impressive season and Jajang became in danger of being known as a nearly man. He spent the second half of last season on loan with Sriwijaya but rarely made much of an impression.

Indonesia have travelled to Turkmenistan for their first leg World Cup Qualifier featuring tired and tested striking options like Bambang Pamungkas and M Ilham. Players like Jajang, and even Yongki Aribowo and Samsul Arif, just aren't given a run out or shown any trust.

Malaysia's EPL Menenge A Trois

v Arsenal 0-4

v Liverpool 3-6

v Chelsea 0-1

The Chelsea game mostly featured younger players as the first choice XI had to prepare for the WCQ against Singapore.

The Causeway Derby

Been looking forward to this game ever since the World Cup Qualifiers were announced a few months back. OK, Malaysia had to overcome a tricky Chinese Taipei first but they did so and now we have it.

Singapore are one of the most successful teams in the history of Malaysian football, as Chairman Mao would have said the neighbours are like lips and teeth. But since 1994 Singapore pulled out of Malaysian professional football to go their own way.

For several years the Lions were the top dogs across ASEAN with success after success at the ASEAN Football Federation Cup as well as good runs in the last World Cup Qualifiers.

However the last couple of years have seen Malaysia resurgent. They have won the SEA Games and last year's AFF Cup and are the only country from the region still in the Olympic Qualifiers. And while Singapore prepared for this weekend's game with friendlies against Maldives and Chinese Taipei, Malaysia have played Hong Kong, Cambodia, Qatar, Arsenal, Liverpool and Chelsea!

The game on Saturday at the cramped Jalan Besar Stadium is a sell out with some fans queuing overnight and all tickets gone within eight hours.

Singapore have the experience. Players like Mustafic Fahruddin, Aleksander Duric and Daniel Bennett have been there, done that. They know the score. Coach raddy Avramovic, formerly Notts County and Coventry City keeper, has guided the Lions through the most successful spell in their history but they have reached a rocky patch now.

Failure to qualify for the semi finals of the AFF Cup last year brought about much soul searching with even the normally anonymous FA Chairman being quoted in the media as saying all the team will be dropped.

When Singapore get it right they are still a formidable opponent. Organised, tough and hard working though perhaps missing a bit of flair at times; the continuing absence of Ahmad Latiff puzzles many on the island.

There is a Jekyll & Hyde nature to the Lions. Take for example an AFC Asian Cup Qualifier at home to Thailand in 2008. The Thais passed and moved Singapore to death winning 3-1 and the Singapore public, almost to a man, went public with their whines about how the team, and the coach, were past their sell by date and anyway it was all a waste of money. (When it comes to whining Singaporeans can give Australians a run for their money!)

Second leg however, the Lions won 1-0!

Malaysia have the best habit in the football world. The habit of winning. Many of the youthful squad were involved in the SEA Games success of 2009 as well as the AFF Cup triumph last year. Indeed Arsene Wenger could learn a bit from coach Rajagobal's methods given the drough Arsenal way!

Players like Khairul Fahmie, Safiq Rahim, S Kunanlan, Safee Sali and Norshahrul Idlan Talaha are among the brightest talents in the region and while Sali already plays in Indonesia with Pelita Jaya there is talk that Khairul and Safiq maybe following him south.

It promises to be a fascinating match up between two contrasting styles and I am for one really looking forward to it. Plus of course a few cold beers served by the inimitable Mabel!

As to who wins? I really don't care! It's gonna be a great advert for South East Asian football!

Teerasil A Hoop?

Queens Park Rangers have reportedly offered a trial to Thai international forward Teerasil Dangda; a player regarded by many to be one of the best ever players from Thailand and within Asia at the moment.

According to a report, Dangda, who plays alongside Robbie Fowler at Muangthong United, has been told that he has an opportunity to play in the Premier League and will fly in to England to undergo a trial.

Dangda has been prolific at international level with Thailand, scoring 16 goals in 36 games.

It is understood that Dangda will be allowed to leave Muangthong permanently if a bid of £300,000 is made

SOURCE - Eye Football

COMMENT - first thought that springs to mind is Work Permit? Thanks to JLH for the heads up

Roberts Rates Rohit

Both Arsenal and Spurs are expected to run the rule over the classy defender when Nepal face Jordan in the World Cup 2014 qualifier next week.

Arsenal will battle north London rivals Tottenham for Nepalese teenager Rohit Chand. The 18-year-old, who plays for Indian First Division side Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) SC, is regarded as one of the hottest prospects in Asian football and is desparate to make the big time in European football.

Former Spurs skipper Graham Roberts, who is the current coach of Nepal, is in no doubt Chand is destined for the very top.

He said: "Rohit is by far the best centre-half I have ever coached. He is an extreme talent who will play at the highest level."

SOURCE - Talksport

COMMENT - this young lad was one reason why I was very keen to see Nepal play Timor Leste in the World Cup Qualifier.

300 +

Singapore fans may have queued overnight to buy tickets for the World Cup Qualifier against Malaysia this Saturday but they have been lees keen to commit to the second leg.

4,000 tickets were bought within hours of going on sale, though applicants could buy a maximum of four per person which could see a flooded black market and banks of empty seats if scalpers had moved in hoping for a quick killing.

Singapore have been allocated 2,000 for the return leg in KL next week and reports suggest just less than 300 have been sold so far.

Others may be waiting for the result on Saturday. Many people won't bother if Singapore get a drubbing at home, thinking it would be a waste of time and money.

I on the other hand would remind them that after they had been beaten 3-1 by Thailand in the AFC Asian Cup qualifier back in 2009 most Singaporeans had written off their own team. The Lions went to Bangkok and won 1-0!

Riedl Wants His Cash

Alfred Riedl reminded the Indonesian Football Association on Wednesday that it had been a week since he was fired as national team coach and he was still waiting to get paid.

Riedl and former assistant coach Wolfgang Pikal dropped by unannounced at the office of the association, known as the PSSI. They brought with them a letter that they said was a reminder to the association that it had until Tuesday to resolve the question of compensation or they would go to FIFA.

Riedl and Pikal had wanted to hand the letter to the new PSSI chairman, Djohar Arifin Husin, or his deputy, Farid Rahman, but neither was available. Instead, Pikal gave the letter to a receptionist.

Riedl, who was replaced by Dutchman Wilhelmus Rijsbergen, didn’t answer questions from reporters, but Pikal said they wanted to resolve the matter amicably.

If that proved impossible, Pikal said, he and Riedl would submit a report to FIFA, football’s world governing body.

“We will wait until July 26 for the PSSI’s response, and if the PSSI doesn’t reply, we’ll file an official report with FIFA. Still, we want to end this in the proper way,” Pikal said.

“I’m not disappointed that there weren’t any PSSI official here to meet me. The most important thing is that our rights are honored. We have legitimate contracts on PSSI letterhead that have the signatures of the PSSI vice chairman [Nirwan Bakrie] and secretary general [Nugraha Besoes].”

Riedl’s dismissal came as a surprise to most, especially after Indonesia’s successful run in last year’s AFF Suzuki Cup. The official explanation by Djohar was that the PSSI could not find a copy of Riedl’s contract and suspected the Austrian had only signed a personal deal with Nirwan Bakrie, the PSSI’s former vice chairman.

Meanwhile, Farid, the PSSI deputy, has confirmed that the association now has Riedl’s contract, which the association said had been missing.

He said the official contract was now in the hands of the association’s legal department.

“We have it, but I haven’t seen it. The legal department is examining the contract,” he said. “We’ll settle it in a few days and we have schedule a meeting with Nirwan Bakrie, Riedl and Pikal.”

Riedl still has 10 months remaining on his contract, which was due to expire on May 6 next year. According to the terms of the contract, he was to be paid $16,000 a month.

Pikal also has 10 months remaining on his contract, which expires at the same time as Riedl’s. He also said he wasn’t paid for the four months prior to his dismissal.

In other football news, Liga Indonesia, which runs the Indonesian Super League, met with the PSSI executive committee to report on its activities and plans.

Liga Indonesia’s chief executive, Joko Driyono, declined to discuss the results, saying only that the PSSI should make an announcement on the ISL’s upcoming season.

There has been confusion around the ISL since the PSSI recognized the upstart Indonesian Premier League earlier this month.

FIFA rules say there can be only one top-flight competition in a country and the PSSI has yet to decide how it will handle the ISL and the IPL.

Joko said it was in the PSSI’s interest to decide the format before the Asian Football Confederation holds its annual assessment of professional clubs on July 30.

SOURCE - Jakarta Globe

Darby Heads West

Steve Darby is never out of a job long.

Following his surprise resignation as assistant coach in the Thai national set up at the end of last month the former Johor, Perak and Home United coach will be taking the reigns at Mohan Bagun in India.

Mohan Bagun are based in the fascinating city of Kolkota and their fierce rivals are East Bengal who are coached by another Englishman, Trevor Morgan.

The match officials in the Indian Premier League just won't know what hit them!

3.000 Abang Becak Akan Diberdayakan di SEA Games XXVI

Pembangunan wisma atlet SEA Games XXVI 2011 di Jakabaring, Palembang, (22/3). ANTARA/Puspa Perwitasari

TEMPO Interaktif, Palembang - Sebanyak 3.000 abang becak di Palembang, Sumatra Selatan, akan diberdayakan untuk melayani kebutuhan transportasi para atlet dan ofisial selama SEA Games XXVI berlangsung November mendatang.

Saat ini secara bertahap abang becak akan diberikan pelatihan keramahtamahan atau hospitallity. Tahap pertama sekitar 300 abang becak telah diberikan pembekalan dasar dalam melayani tamu asing.

Hal itu disampaikan oleh Wakil Direktur II Indonesia SEA Games Organization Committe (InaSOC), H. Mudai Madang, Minggu 17 Juli.

Menurut Mudai, langkah itu diambil selain untuk memberdayakan masyarakat kecil dalam SEA games juga untuk menciptakan kawasan Jakabaring Sportcity sebagai kawasan bebas dari kendaraan berbahan bakar minyak atau BBM. Selain becak, di areal Jakabaring juga akan disediakan sepeda untuk mempermudah para atlet menjangkau arena pertandingan dan pemondokan.

“Abang becak kami latih kecakapan dalam melayani tamu. Nantinya mereka akan mengantar para atlet dari wisma ke arena pertandingan,” kata Mudai.

Lebih lanjut Mudai mengatakan mulai awal bulan November mendatang hingga berakhirnya SEA Games, kawasan Jakabaring Sport city akan tertutup bagi kendaraan berbahan bakar minyak. Panitia hanya memperbolehkan bagi kendaraan VVIP dan kendaraan bermotor berbahan bakar gas. Waktu kunjungan kendaraan VVIP juga bakal dibatasi.

Fanani, 40 tahun, salah seorang peserta pelatihan yang dijumpai di sela rehat makan siang mengakui sedikit takut untuk berhadapan dengan tamu asing. Fanani termasuk salah seorang yang mendapatkan pelatihan pada tahap I ini. Pasalnya, dia hanya bisa berbahasa Palembang dan Jawa. Selain itu, ia juga khawatir honor yang diberikan panitia tidak mencukupi kebutuhan makan-minum sehari-hari bagi anak dan istrinya.

Selama dalam pelatihan Fanani diajarkan cara menyapa tamu dengan baik lisan atau bahasa tubuh seperti dengan senyuman atau gerak tangan dan anggota tubuh lainnya. Selama pelatihan ini para abang becak diingatkan untuk tidak menarik imbalan dari jasa yang telah dikelurkan kepada para atlet karena mereka bakal mendapatkan honor dari panitia.

Mudai Madang yang juga menjabat sebagai ketua Komite Olahraga Nasional Indonesia Sumatera Selatan mengakui bila seluruh penarik becak yang resmi direkrut bakal mendapatkan honor dan juga jatah makan minum.

Namun, mudai belum berani menyebut besaran honor yang akan diberikan dengan alasan masih menunggu kepastian pendanaan penyelengraan dari pemerintah pusat. “Yang pasti akan lebih besar dari pendapatan mereka pada hari biasanya,” ucap Mudai.

Ia juga memastikan penarik becak akan dibekali pula dengan identitas dan pakaian khusus, sehingga mudah dikenali.

PARLIZA HENDRAWAN

Empat "Venue" Menembak Rampung

Aloysius Gonsaga Angi Ebo | Sabtu, 16 Juli 2011 | 16:55 WIB

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RAFINI RAHMADINI

TERKAIT:

• "Venue" SEA Games Harus Selesai Agustus!
• Tiga "Venue" Selesai Direnovasi
• Menpora Optimistis Semua Fasilitas Beres

PALEMBANG, KOMPAS.com — Arena pertandingan (venue) menembak pada SEA Games XXVI di Komplek Olahraga Jakabaring, Palembang, Sumatera Selatan, telah rampung 50 persen untuk pengerjaan empat lapangan, dari delapan yang ditentukan. Demikian pernyataan Wakil Manajer Proyek PT Waskita Richard.

"Sebanyak delapan lapangan yang direncanakan, empat lapangan telah rampung, yakni lapangan utama, lapangan 100 meter, lapangan 50 meter, dan lapangan 25 meter," ujar Richard di Palembang, Sabtu (16/7/2011).

Dia menjelaskan, untuk empat lapangan lainnya telah memasuki tahapan pemancangan tiang.

"Guna mengejar target selesai pada September 2011, dalam beberapa hari ke depan kami akan mengerjakan empat lapangan berikutnya," katanya.

Ia menjelaskan, lapangan tembak itu dibangun sesuai dengan standar internasional dengan mencontoh bangunan lapangan tembak Asian Games 2002 di Korea Selatan.

"Lapangan tembak yang dibangun ini akan sangat lengkap dan menjadi yang terbaik di Asia karena jarak target mencapai 600 meter. Pada umumnya lapangan tembak hanya maksimal mencapai jarak target 300 meter, seperti yang ada di Korsel," ujarnya.

Pelatih menembak Sumsel, Kuncung Sudiono, mengatakan, akan digelar tes event sebelum lapangan tembak digunakan pada SEA Games, 11-22 November 2011.

"Rencananya pada September nanti digelar tes event menembak, tetapi mengenai tanggal pastinya akan disesuaikan dengan penyelesaian venue," tuturnya.

Kota Palembang ditetapkan sebagai tempat upacara pembukaan dan penutupan SEA Games itu, dengan lokasi pertandingan juga dilaksanakan di Jakarta.

Dorong Inasoc Koordinasi Daerah

Ditulis oleh Rachmat Aprianto

JAKARTA – Kesiapan Provinsi Sumatera Selatan menjadi tuan rumah SEA Games Ke-26 Tahun 2011 bersama Provinsi DKI Jakarta tak perlu diragukan. Pasalnya, fakta di lapangan memperlihatkan pembangunan sejumlah venues hampir rampung. Kisaran 60-100 persen. Ketua Komisi X, Prof dr Mahyuddin NS SpOG menegaskan hal itu, kemarin. “Lapangan tenis sudah 100 persen. Kalau wisma atlet hampir rampung,” katanya saat memimpin rapat Kerja Komisi X dengan Menteri Negara Pemuda dan Olahraga Andi Mallarangeng, Ketua KONI/KOI Rita Subowo dan Gubernur Sumsel H Alex Noerdin serta Ketua Inasoc Rahmat Gobel, Senin (18/7) di Ruang Rapat Komisi X DPR-RI, Jalan Gatot Subroto Jakarta. Rapat diikuti anggota Komisi X DPR-RI itu juga dihadiri Wakil Ketua Komisi X Ruly Chairul Azwar (F-PG) dan Utut Hadiyanto (F-PDIP). Sedangkan dari Sumatera Selatan Gubernur didampingi Ketua KONI Sumsel Mudai Madang, Asisten Ekonomi Keuangan dan Pembangunan Ir Eddy Hermanto, serta Kepala Biro Humas dan Protokol Roby Kurniawan. Mahyuddin menegaskan, atas kerja keras itulah Komisi X memberikan penghargaan kepada Gubernur Sumsel, pemerintah dan KONI/KOI, serta Inasoc sehingga persiapan pelaksanaan SEA Games XXVI cukup memuaskan. “Ke depan, Komisi X mendesak pemerintah agar melakukan koordinasi dengan seluruh pihak terkait kegiatan persiapan baik pembukaan maupun penutupan. “Pemerintah juga agar merealisasikan pencairan anggaran SEA Games Rp516 miliar lebih pada APBN 2011.” Tak hanya itu. Mahyuddin mendorong Inasoc agar meningkatkan koordinasi, terutama pembagian tugas dengan daerah. Tujuannya, agar persiapan penyelenggaraan SEA Games dapat maksimal. Gubernur Alex Noerdin menjamin penyelesaian pembangunan seluruh venue SEA Games sesuai jadwal, akhir Agustus. Sedangkan sejumlah venue yang sudah siap saat ini seperti tenis lapangan dan bola voli yang akan menggelar pertandingan voli tingkat Asia dengan 18 negara juara grup dari 23-29 Juli mendatang. Pertandingan ini akan dihadiri Gubernur Sumsel H Alex Noerdin. Menpora Andi Mallarangeng mengatakan SEA Games di Palembang dan Jakarta bakal mempertandingkan 43 cabang olahraga dengan 545 nomor dan untuk memenuhi target agar Indonesia dapat menjadi juara umum. Paling tidak, harus mampu menyabet 25 hingga 35% medali emas. Di sisi lain, Pemprov Sumsel harus bekerja ekstrakeras mengantisipasi ancaman kebakaran hutan dan lahan, yang diperkirakan puncaknya terjadi bertepatan dengan penyelenggaraan SEA Games XXVI di Palembang pada November mendatang. Apalagi sudah terpantau 15 titik api (hotspot) yang mengepung lokasi SEA Games di kompleks Jakabaring, Palembang. “Ada 15 titik hotspot yang kami antisipasi agar tak mengganggu pelaksanaan SEA Games di Jakabaring. Apalagi puncak hotspot itu diperkirakan terjadi September, Oktober, November. Bertepatan dengan pelaksanaan SEA Games. Kami sudah siapkan 15 pos dengan 180 petugas, dan sudah standby helikopter yang siap patroli. Pos-pos itu mulai difungsikan H-14 sebelum SEA Games,” kata Kepala Dinas Kehutanan Sumsel, Sigit Wibowo, usai menyaksikan penerimaan Penghargaan Gubernur Peduli Api untuk Gubernur Sumsel Alex Noerdin oleh Menteri Kehutanan Zulkifli Hasan, di Hotel Mercure Ancol, tadi malam (18/7). Menurut Sigit, siaga kebakaran hutan dan lahan bukan hanya disiapkan di ring I dan ring II hotspot yang mengepung Jakabaring, tetapi semua daerah di Sumsel sudah disiapkan petugas khusus. Ring I ialah radius 10 km dari lokasi SEA Games, meliputi daerah Jakabaring dan Rambutan. Ring II ialah berjarak 40 km, antara lain daerah Gandus, Tanjung Api-Api, dan Inderalaya. ”Se-Sumsel disiapkan 2.500 warga dari 200 desa yang dilatih secara rutin, untuk membantu pemerintah mencegah dan menanggulangi kebakaran hutan dan lahan di Sumsel, terutama ketika puncak hotspot dan pelaksanaan SEA Games,” kata Sigit didampingi Swi Setyono, kepala Balai Konservasi SDA Sumsel. Gubernur Sumsel Alex Noerdin mengatakan, kebakaran hutan dan lahan di Sumsel sudah diatasi dengan cara mengkoordikasikan kepada semua bupati dan wali kota se-Sumsel. “Tahun lalu, Sumsel mendapat perhatian karena kebakaran hutan dan lahan. Tahun ini kita Sumsel mendapat penghargaan dari Menteri Kehutanan. Itu artinya kita berhasil menekan angka hotspot. Bahkan keberhasilan Sumsel melebihi angka nasional yang hanya menekan 20 persen per tahun,” katanya. Konsentrasi pencegahan dan penanggulangan kebakaran hutan dan lahan di bumi wong kito, lanjut Alex, sudah dilakukan sejak empat tahun lalu. “Negara-negara sahabat ikut membantu, seperti Singapura dan Malaysia. Mungkin mereka tak mau diekspor asap. Walaupun asap-asap itu bukan dari Sumsel,” kata Alex. Menteri Kehutanan Zulkifli Hasan meminta daerah-daerah yang berpotensi menjadi penyumbang hotspot terbanyak pada tahun-tahun sebelumnya, untuk mencegah kejadian serupa pada tahun ini. “Musim lalu, Sumsel, Kalteng, dan Kalsel menjadi perhatian serius soal titik api, ternyata tahun ini Gubernur Sumsel Pak Alex Noerdin, gubernur Kalteng, dan Gubernur Sulsel mendapat penghargaan untuk katagori Gubernur Peduli Api. Artinya mereka berhasil mencegah dan mengendalikan hotspot di daerahnya. Saya berharap semua daerah mencontoh tiga gubernur ini,” kata Zulkifli. Menteri dari Lampung itu juga meminta daerah-daerah yang rawan terjadi kebakaran hutan terhebat, seperti Sumsel, Jambi, Sumut, Kalteng, Kalbar, dan Kalsel untuk berupaya keras mencegah sebaran titik api, sebelum musim kemarau pada September-November mendatang. “Sumber kebakaran itu ada dua, hutan dan lahan. Kita berharap pemda dan masyarakat bisa mencegah dan menanggulangi kebakaran hutan dan lahan agar tidak menjadi bencana,” ujarnya. (ark/05/wmc)

Eagles Downed

Geylang United's five match unbeaten run ended when SLeague champions Etoile defeated them 3-2 at Bedok Stadium.

Kim Jae Hong had given the home team the lead on 18' and everyone settled down thinking it was game over but five minutes later Wilson Grosset made it 1-1. It was the first goal Geylang had conceded in more than five games...do the SLeague keep records like this?

Nakano Yuta made it 2-1 to Geylang right on half time but Etoile scored tow late goals, the winner right at the death, to secure the points.

Despite losing five points for their role in a slap fest with Hougang United The Frenchies are just off the pace win 5th spo, nine points behind leaders Tampines with a game in hand.

Return To Balikpapan For Butler?

A Persiba fan website is suggesting Peter Butler is in pole position for a return to Persiba.

The former West Ham player has coached there previously of course before going on a one man ASEAN tour taking in Kelantan, Yangon United and BEC Tero.

Singapore v Chinese Taipei 3-2

SINGAPORE, 18 July 2011: Singapore defeated Chinese-Taipei 3-2 at the Jalan Besar Stadium just days before they march back onto the very same pitch for the 2014 FIFA WORLD CUP BRAZIL™ ASIAN QUALIFIERS ROUND TWO Match against Malaysia.

The game got off to a slow start and steadily picked up pace with both teams looking to break the deadlock. Singapore decided to get matters going through Aleksandar Duric in the 17th minute. Left with just a simple tap in after receiving a low cross from Hariss Harun, he made no mistake to give his side an early lead.

Chinese-Taipei tried to get the game back on level terms but were unable to break down the Singapore defensive wall. The first-half came to an end with the score, Singapore 1-0 Chinese-Taipei.

Coming back on for the second half, Chinese-Taipei made their presence felt with a quick goal to bring the game back on level terms through No.9, Lo Chih An. The Lions responded with a Duric goal in the 54th minute which got the fans fired up and their cheers grew louder.

Both sides pushed ahead for the next goal and substitute Hiang Shih Lu put his team back into contention in the 62nd minute. Sensing the need for more attacking options upfront, Coach Raddy brought on Fazrul Nawaz and Qiu Li in the 65th minute. The tactical switch proved to be effective as the Lions wrestled back the lead with forward Fazrul Nawaz breaking away from his defenders to slot the ball home for Singapore’s 3rd and final goal of the match. The game ended with the score board reading Singapore 3-2 Chinese-Taipei.

Singapore Coach Raddy, was satisfied with the result as he spoke about his team’s performance at the post-match press conference when he said: “There are some points we need to improve on and also some positive points to take note of. We created a lot of chances, passing most of the time.” He went on to say “I am however happy with the performance of the team and this game allowed the players to learn from their mistakes as it is better to make mistakes now than in the match against Malaysia.”

“We kept passing the ball and had more possession. We did make mistakes today and we will learn from it and make changes to our game.” said Captain Shahril Ishak.

Goal scorer Aleksandar Duric was spot on when he said “We started with a new system of play from the match against Maldives and we are creating more chances. It was a good game and my team mates did well.”

Having taken charge of the team only three days ago, Coach Tee Tae Ho said “It was tough but I think we did ok. Singapore forwards have more experience and are organized.”

When asked about the difference between Singapore’s style of play and the Malaysians, “Singapore has more stability and matured while Malaysia is abit unstable and not matured.”

Singapore 3-2 Chinese-Taipei

Goalscorers: Singapore No.9 – Aleksandar Duric (17th, 54th minute), No.10 - Fazrul Nawaz (82nd minute) Chinese-Taipei – No.9 - Lo Chih An (47th minute), No.27 – Hiang Shih Lu (62nd minute)

Singapore: Izwan Mahbud, Safuwan Bhahrudin, Shi Jiayi, Shahdan Sulaiman, Aleksandar Duric (Fazrul Nawaz 65), Hariss Harun, Mustafic Faharudin (Qiu Li 65), Daniel Bennett, Shahril Ishak (C), Ismail Yunos (Shaiful Esah 69), Juma'at Jantan

Chinese-Taipei: Chang Yung Hsien, Lin Cheng Yi (Lee Pin Hsien 88), Chan Yu Lin (C), Chang Han (Wu Chun Ching 77), Lo Chih An, Loo Chih En (Chen Po Hao 86), Chan Che Yuan (Chen Hao Wei 45), Liu Chi Chao (Hiang Shih Lu 45), Chan Po Liang, Wei Sheng Hsin, Lee Meng Chian

SOURCE - Official FAS Release

Indonesia Squad v Turkmenistan (WCQ)

Ferry Rotinsulu (Sriwijaya)
Markus Harison (Persib)

Supardi (Sriwijaya)
Zulkifli (Arema)
M Nasuha (Persija)
M Roby (Persisam)
Ricardo Salampessy (Persisam)
Wahyu Wijiastanto

Ahmad Bustomi (Arema)
Toni Sucipto (Persija)
Eka Ramdani (Persib)
Firman Utina (Sriwijaya)
M Ridwan
Arif Suyono (Sriwijaya)
Oktovianus Maniani (Sriwijaya)

Christian Gonzales (Persib)
Bambang Pamungkas (Persija)
Boaz Solossa (Persipura)
M Ilham (Persija)

Persib Prefer Local Coach?

Persib Bandung are looking for a new coach and it is being reported locally that there may be up to 11 names in the frame for one of the hottest seats in the country. Last season they worked their way through three with the first at least alleged to be the victim of player power.

Rahmad Darmawan has been linked with a move to Bandung all close season while Heri Kiswanto and incumbent Daniel Roekito have also been mentioned.

The club manager has suggested a preference for a local coach while also saying they will only sign the best.

So there.

Persib are famous for putting together a good, powerful squad on paper then monumentally failing on the field.

Indonesian Football Latest

OK, been wondering what the latest is in the never ending soap opera that is Indonesian football? You know, with the Indonesia Super League and the Liga Primer Indonesia?

Well, keep wondering 'cos I don't have a scooby!

Riedl To Stay In Indonesia

Reports locally suggest former Indonesia national team coach Alfred Riedl is being lined up for the hot seat, well, midly tepid, at Pelita Jaya. Of course the club now looking at an unprecedented third season in Karawang after frequent city changes are run by an individual closely linked to the previous PSSI regime.

Not sure if that is a recommendation or not!