JULY 13 — This is my take on a few of the highlights in the world of football over the past couple of weeks.
Malaysia Boleh
My first comment is actually an extension of an idea suggested by a very close and dear mate of mine while I was involved in the coverage of the Confederations Cup at Astro last month.
I will protect his identity but he deserves all the credit for sowing the seed in my mind.
While watching the Kiwis defend like schoolboys against Spain and the fact that they actually stand two games away from World Cup 2010 qualification the idea was born.
How about Malaysia leave the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and join the Oceania group! The Australians have done the reverse with great progress as being in the AFC has benefitted them tremendously. Why not us?
While the football administrators fumble and bumble their way as they have been all along, let us be practical and give this some deep thought.
At least on the outset, it seems a better idea than all the “road (to nowhere) maps” that have been prepared and presented by technical directors past.
Come on, surely we cannot be afraid of Fiji, Vanuatu, Cook Islands, Tahiti and New Caledonia, just to name a few footballing giants from Oceania. And think of all these exotic places to visit as well.
It will finally come down to a two-leg playoff against an Asian team and with the passionate support of all Malaysians, we could drive our football team to Brazil 2014.
By joining Oceania, we will also be well within our comfort zone in every way. Besides that, the accolades and “knighthoods” that will come flooding will mean we could revert to the glorious yesteryears of amateur football with all our wonderful memories.
This is beginning to look like our last hope to salvage Malaysian football.
Brazil 2014 here we come!
Matador Ronaldo
Imagine being unveiled in front of 80,000 fans and then fumbling with your ball-juggling skills? Well, it certainly was a priceless moment, I mean the juggle-fumble!
It just showed how nervous Cristiano Ronaldo was at his first appearance in front of his own (new) fans at the Santiago Bernabeu.
It is going to be no easy task in getting Real Madrid to the pinnacle of club football, i.e. the UEFA Champions League trophy, but I can safely say Ronaldo is going to get better and better.
He is going to build on his reputation and cement his world-class ability. There is no denying his hunger and desire to succeed even more and that is evident with his move to Spain.
He could’ve stayed at Manchester United and played on one leg without anyone getting near enough as to sneeze on him but the decision to move underlines his determination to want to test himself.
It’s a real pity the likes of Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard never had the stomach to venture out of England.
What the, Michael?
I am absolutely delighted with the news of Michael Owen moving to Man United. It is a great decision by Alex Ferguson once again to sign a player who needs no motivation for success.
After two miserable injury-ravaged years, Owen is raring to go and MU needed a ready-made penalty-box striker. After the departure of Ruud van Nistelrooy, MU had struggled for almost three seasons before Carlos Tevez came along.
The MU backroom boys will ensure Owen is put through a proper fitness regime to get the best out of him. He is going to be an asset with his finishing ability which never goes away and I, for one, can’t wait to see him in action at the Bukit Jalil Stadium, albeit in a cameo role.
All the Red Devils need now is a goal-scoring midfielder and I would very strongly suggest Tim Cahill. He would be a perfect replacement for Paul Scholes and he can actually tackle too.
Malaysian Magpies?
When I first heard the rumour of a Malaysian consortium’s interest in Newcastle United, I thought, here is my big chance to be part of an exciting adventure.
I can see it now. The new owners would make me director of football at St James’ Park and have me working on advising Alan Shearer.
Well, actually, I would advise them against hiring Shearer in the first place, as I feel the size of the task is too big for him. He could manage in the Championship but I would need a man with a philosophy that he believed in.
Someone like Arsene Wenger would do the job. The club needs a major overhaul and I would love the mammoth task of reorganising the club structure.
I also have a plan to handpick three Malaysian kids from the age-groups eight to 16, respectively, and place them in the youth teams at the club on a season-long stay. In two seasons, 54 kids would have experienced what would be termed as a lifetime experience.
And then, I woke up!
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