Saturday, 27 October 2018
Enjoy M-Cup Final 2018: Special message for TFC supporters
Shah Alam, 27 Oct 2018: Grateful for their relentless support and loyalty, TFC Head Coach Irfan Bakti has this special message to all Terengganu fans. " They have been an integral part of our success. I do hope our supporters will behave well and be sporting tonight," he tells BolaPantaiTimur when contacted on Cup Final Day.
Noting that chances for both Terengganu and Perak will be 50:50, obviously he wants to see a smooth game for his players to focus and give their best without undue distraction off the field.
As encouraged by Terengganu Menteri Besar, Dr Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar, may they play with dignity and pride, putting up a great game to bring back the Cup to Terengganu.
Alhamdulillah, Terengganu has just scored through skipper Kipre Tchetche in the first minute.
Noting that chances for both Terengganu and Perak will be 50:50, obviously he wants to see a smooth game for his players to focus and give their best without undue distraction off the field.
As encouraged by Terengganu Menteri Besar, Dr Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar, may they play with dignity and pride, putting up a great game to bring back the Cup to Terengganu.
Alhamdulillah, Terengganu has just scored through skipper Kipre Tchetche in the first minute.
Sunday, 12 March 2017
Turtles Edge Titans, Focus on Mission
Kuala Terengganu: More than the usual number of fans turned up for the local Terengganu derby at the Sultan Ismail Nasiruddin Shah Stadium on Saturday night. After failing to see both teams' encounter during the pre-season friendlies, they were anxious to find out how the two brotherly teams would actually fare against each other.
In the end, it was Terengganu which advance to the FA Cup quarter-finals. Lutfulla Turaev scored the solitary goal with a brilliant header just one minute before the end of extra-time.
For Terengganu head coach, Irfan Bakti though, his team's focus remains on promotion to the first-tier or Super League after it was demoted to the Premier League this season.
He says, " Our main target is promotion. It is still a long way to go." In the Premier League standings, Terengganu is second after table-topper Negeri Sembilan.
On the match against T-Team which ended with a scoreless draw during regulation time, Irfan adds," It was a balanced game. However Terengganu players can last the pace. We are fitter than them."
Two players - one from each team - were sent off for red cards. The referee was also busy flashing yellow cards as he attempted to keep tempers to a manageable level.
Irfan's counterpart from T-Team, Rahmad Darmawan, agrees that the game was balanced. Even so, he says that Terengganu was luckier as they were able to score with just one attack whilst T-Team were in control during extra time. Rahmad adds: "Usually in a derby, mental strength plays an important role to win the game. It this respect, emotional control on both sides is essential."
Terengganu will meet another Super League outfit, Sarawak, in the FA Cup Quarter Finals.
The fans from both teams went back feeling relieved that a team from the state is still in contention for the FA Cup. However they also know it is already mid-March.
Terengganu has 18 points from six wins, and two losses ; 14 goals for versus 10 goals against. T-Team, eighth in Super League standings, has nine points from two wins, three losses and three draws; 8 goals for versus 16 goals against.
Going forward, fans expect nothing less than 100% commitment from the players and officials from both teams.
In the end, it was Terengganu which advance to the FA Cup quarter-finals. Lutfulla Turaev scored the solitary goal with a brilliant header just one minute before the end of extra-time.
For Terengganu head coach, Irfan Bakti though, his team's focus remains on promotion to the first-tier or Super League after it was demoted to the Premier League this season.
 |
| Irfan Bakti: Promotion mission |
He says, " Our main target is promotion. It is still a long way to go." In the Premier League standings, Terengganu is second after table-topper Negeri Sembilan.
On the match against T-Team which ended with a scoreless draw during regulation time, Irfan adds," It was a balanced game. However Terengganu players can last the pace. We are fitter than them."
Two players - one from each team - were sent off for red cards. The referee was also busy flashing yellow cards as he attempted to keep tempers to a manageable level.
Irfan's counterpart from T-Team, Rahmad Darmawan, agrees that the game was balanced. Even so, he says that Terengganu was luckier as they were able to score with just one attack whilst T-Team were in control during extra time. Rahmad adds: "Usually in a derby, mental strength plays an important role to win the game. It this respect, emotional control on both sides is essential."
 |
| Rahmad Darmawan: Mental strength |
Terengganu will meet another Super League outfit, Sarawak, in the FA Cup Quarter Finals.
The fans from both teams went back feeling relieved that a team from the state is still in contention for the FA Cup. However they also know it is already mid-March.
Terengganu has 18 points from six wins, and two losses ; 14 goals for versus 10 goals against. T-Team, eighth in Super League standings, has nine points from two wins, three losses and three draws; 8 goals for versus 16 goals against.
Sunday, 29 January 2017
Formidable Pahang import formula
Kuala Terengganu: The way table-toppers Pahang were running amok, winning in style by thrashing T-Team 5-0 recently, signals that they must be given due attention in 2017.
Indeed it was already reported that they were a team to watch by virtue of being a big spender this season. The return of Dollah Salleh as head coach has also raised expectations among their fans and management.
On the night they demolished T-Team, Dollah returned Bola Pantai Timur's Whatsapp message. He wrote, " Thank you. There was no secret at all (for the win)." In fact, Dollah, in response to the rising expectations for his team to be champions again, reportedly said he was no magician.
Still, team manager Dato' Che Nasir Salleh, put it thus: " It boiled down to team spirit and the players' compatibility." However he added that it is still early days and there are many more games to go.
Even so, the massive victory over T-Team is also an eye-opener.
For one, Pahang have six foreign-sounding names in their squad. Here is their line-up against T-Team.
The foreign sounding names comprise Matthew Davies, Francisco Insa Bohigues, Chinedu Bright Ezendu, Jaewon Heo, Sumareh Mohammadou and Matheus Alves Leandro. For the record, all the goals against T-Team were scored by their foreign players.
A closer look on these players reveal some interesting findings. The players' list from Pahang FA's wiki page goes...
In the Nationality column, Matthew Davies, Kiko Insa, Bright Dike and Mohamadou Sumareh are shown to have two flags - each with a Malaysian flag and flags baearing their "previous" nationalities. However, the other foreign players, Heo Jae-won is shown to have the South Korean flag and Matheus Alves has a Brazilian flag in their Nationality columns.
The page was last modified on 29 January 2017, at 21:50.
For Kiko Insa, who is new to Malaysian football, the transfermarket website, www.transfermarkt.co.uk has also listed him as having two nationalities - Malaysian and Spain.
The same website has listed Matthew Davies as a Malaysian national. Unlike Pahang's own wiki page, www.transfermarkt.co.uk has listed Bright Dike and Mohamadou Sumareh as having Nigerian and Gambian nationalities respectively. As for Heo Jae-won, The same website confirms that he is of South Korean origin.
Matheus Alves has both Italian and Brazilian nationalities, according to the transfer market website.
T-Team must have learned the humiliating defeat the hardest way.
It is understood that Insa, the Spaniard, spent a month with them during pre-season trials. They must have their own reasons why they let him go. He subsequently went to Pahang for trials and was selected by the team.
Indeed it was already reported that they were a team to watch by virtue of being a big spender this season. The return of Dollah Salleh as head coach has also raised expectations among their fans and management.
On the night they demolished T-Team, Dollah returned Bola Pantai Timur's Whatsapp message. He wrote, " Thank you. There was no secret at all (for the win)." In fact, Dollah, in response to the rising expectations for his team to be champions again, reportedly said he was no magician.
Still, team manager Dato' Che Nasir Salleh, put it thus: " It boiled down to team spirit and the players' compatibility." However he added that it is still early days and there are many more games to go.
Even so, the massive victory over T-Team is also an eye-opener.
For one, Pahang have six foreign-sounding names in their squad. Here is their line-up against T-Team.
The foreign sounding names comprise Matthew Davies, Francisco Insa Bohigues, Chinedu Bright Ezendu, Jaewon Heo, Sumareh Mohammadou and Matheus Alves Leandro. For the record, all the goals against T-Team were scored by their foreign players.
A closer look on these players reveal some interesting findings. The players' list from Pahang FA's wiki page goes...
In the Nationality column, Matthew Davies, Kiko Insa, Bright Dike and Mohamadou Sumareh are shown to have two flags - each with a Malaysian flag and flags baearing their "previous" nationalities. However, the other foreign players, Heo Jae-won is shown to have the South Korean flag and Matheus Alves has a Brazilian flag in their Nationality columns.
The page was last modified on 29 January 2017, at 21:50.
For Kiko Insa, who is new to Malaysian football, the transfermarket website, www.transfermarkt.co.uk has also listed him as having two nationalities - Malaysian and Spain.
The same website has listed Matthew Davies as a Malaysian national. Unlike Pahang's own wiki page, www.transfermarkt.co.uk has listed Bright Dike and Mohamadou Sumareh as having Nigerian and Gambian nationalities respectively. As for Heo Jae-won, The same website confirms that he is of South Korean origin.
Matheus Alves has both Italian and Brazilian nationalities, according to the transfer market website.
T-Team must have learned the humiliating defeat the hardest way.
It is understood that Insa, the Spaniard, spent a month with them during pre-season trials. They must have their own reasons why they let him go. He subsequently went to Pahang for trials and was selected by the team.
Saturday, 28 January 2017
A chat with FMLLP chief
Former MD of Bumibola Sports and CEO, The Red Warriors FC, Kevin Ramalingam, is now helming Football Malaysia LLP (FMLLP). Undoubtedly Kevin, whose mission is for the league to
be managed in a
professional, advanced and efficient manner from the technical and commercial
aspects, is a major actor in shaping the future of football in Malaysia. In this exclusive interview, he responded to questions on a wide variety of issues from Shukri Rahman. Excerpts...
1. Looking back, what would you consider as FMLLP's top 3 achievements last year?
I think among the top achievements of FMLLP in its inaugural year was the realignment of the calendar and transfer windows to coincide with international windows instead of us having our own window that doesn't match anyone else. This in the long run should lead to a bigger and better pool for the teams to choose from which will help them technically and also indirectly in an economic sense.
There
is still a lot that we can and must do and the journey towards making
FMLLP a success still remains long.
 |
| Pix courtesy: utusan.com.my |
1. Looking back, what would you consider as FMLLP's top 3 achievements last year?
I think among the top achievements of FMLLP in its inaugural year was the realignment of the calendar and transfer windows to coincide with international windows instead of us having our own window that doesn't match anyone else. This in the long run should lead to a bigger and better pool for the teams to choose from which will help them technically and also indirectly in an economic sense.
The
calendar also allowed for all teams to play till the end of the season
instead of 33% of the teams only being able to play for half a season.
In the long run, this will lead to greater sustainability technically
and commercially.
However I think the greatest
indicator of what is to come from the formation of FMLLP was the fact
that the teams themselves voted to keep the calendar as it is for 2017.
This is significant because it proves that the concept of FMLLP where
the power to determine the teams' future lies with the teams themselves
is taking shape. This is a great sign for the future.
2. To what extent has the privatisation of M-League been a success?
I think the success of privatisation will only be able to be seen for real in 5-10 years, when the effects of things like club licensing are evident. But now I guess we can see small wins along the way. Greater commercial interest is definitely evident already.
I think the success of privatisation will only be able to be seen for real in 5-10 years, when the effects of things like club licensing are evident. But now I guess we can see small wins along the way. Greater commercial interest is definitely evident already.
3. What lessons have been learnt from last season?
The lessons that we have learnt from last season is that no matter what you plan for there are instances where regulation, policies or processes are tested and must be refined. We must always be willing to review and refine.
The lessons that we have learnt from last season is that no matter what you plan for there are instances where regulation, policies or processes are tested and must be refined. We must always be willing to review and refine.
4. A number of teams have been facing various problems. Comments?
Teams or even the league seen to be having problems are part and parcel of change. If we are afraid of problems and are not willing to face them then there can be no change. Even the problems faced by the teams now is leading to change. We can't be afraid of this.
Teams or even the league seen to be having problems are part and parcel of change. If we are afraid of problems and are not willing to face them then there can be no change. Even the problems faced by the teams now is leading to change. We can't be afraid of this.
5. How much money is paid to teams whose games are shown live?
Money for live games was proposed as part of the point system distribution originally. But, this was changed at the FAM exco in late 2015 to a higher cash payment at the start of the season for each team. It is my hope that as income increases, then this point system can be implemented.
Money for live games was proposed as part of the point system distribution originally. But, this was changed at the FAM exco in late 2015 to a higher cash payment at the start of the season for each team. It is my hope that as income increases, then this point system can be implemented.
6. Could you update us on the status of MP & Silva as the special partner as well as the current and future implications on M-League?
I've been asked about the issue of the special partner and how it affects FMLLP. I think what everyone needs to understand is that FMLLP was set up before any special partner came on board. Thus should anything happen to an agreement between the general partner and any special partner, it does not effect the core of what FMLLP is, which is a partnership between the 24 teams and FAM. In the long term context of FMLLP, partners will change, but the core of what FMLLP is should remain as this partnership between the teams and FAM lends stability and long term sustainability to our local game.
I've been asked about the issue of the special partner and how it affects FMLLP. I think what everyone needs to understand is that FMLLP was set up before any special partner came on board. Thus should anything happen to an agreement between the general partner and any special partner, it does not effect the core of what FMLLP is, which is a partnership between the 24 teams and FAM. In the long term context of FMLLP, partners will change, but the core of what FMLLP is should remain as this partnership between the teams and FAM lends stability and long term sustainability to our local game.
7. According to certain critics, FMLLP is just duplicating FAM's functions. Comments?
Duplicating FAM's functions? Well, we do have to run the league while FAM also runs the FAM Cup etc so there is certainly some duplication there. You can't avoid that I feel. In the long run, the separation between the two will become more and more evident. But, because FAM governs football in Malaysia and it is the general partner of FMLLP, there will always be areas where the two cross. Critics will always try to nit pick even at the obvious. In this instance, I think the obvious thing is that both FAM and FMLLP run football competitions. So there is bound to be some duplication, but whether we both do things exactly the same way or not will be the definition of how far they grow apart in the coming years.
Duplicating FAM's functions? Well, we do have to run the league while FAM also runs the FAM Cup etc so there is certainly some duplication there. You can't avoid that I feel. In the long run, the separation between the two will become more and more evident. But, because FAM governs football in Malaysia and it is the general partner of FMLLP, there will always be areas where the two cross. Critics will always try to nit pick even at the obvious. In this instance, I think the obvious thing is that both FAM and FMLLP run football competitions. So there is bound to be some duplication, but whether we both do things exactly the same way or not will be the definition of how far they grow apart in the coming years.
8. Why does FMLLP still allow teams(s) with rather huge debts and arrears due to players to participate in our League?
The debt issues are issues that we must handle step by step. Most people assume that the barring of teams participating is the answer, and it probably will be, but in order for us to get there we have to be responsible also for the rest of the stakeholders as well. Remember, FMLLP must adopt a point of view that is friendly to fans, teams, players, sponsors, broadcasters, media, etc etc. Being responsible towards all parties sometimes ends up being seen as being irresponsible to some. Action is being taken to correct the debt issues and yes it may ultimately result in the barring of a team from participating. But the right process must be put in place to get there, it can't be just a shoot from the hip or off the cuff reaction. It is much deeper and more sensitive than most care to understand.
The debt issues are issues that we must handle step by step. Most people assume that the barring of teams participating is the answer, and it probably will be, but in order for us to get there we have to be responsible also for the rest of the stakeholders as well. Remember, FMLLP must adopt a point of view that is friendly to fans, teams, players, sponsors, broadcasters, media, etc etc. Being responsible towards all parties sometimes ends up being seen as being irresponsible to some. Action is being taken to correct the debt issues and yes it may ultimately result in the barring of a team from participating. But the right process must be put in place to get there, it can't be just a shoot from the hip or off the cuff reaction. It is much deeper and more sensitive than most care to understand.
9. The practise of fining teams for fans' misbehaviour. Some quarters have seen it in a cynical way. Is it appropriate and fair to the clubs?
Punishing teams for fan behaviour is not unique to Malaysia. Globally this is the practice. Whilst my opinion on some decisions may differ, I don't see an alternative thats workable at the moment.
Punishing teams for fan behaviour is not unique to Malaysia. Globally this is the practice. Whilst my opinion on some decisions may differ, I don't see an alternative thats workable at the moment.
10. What do you see as the likely effects of FAM's top leadership's tussle on FMLLP and the league?
Any change in FAM will certainly have some effects on FMLLP as FAM is the general partner in FMLLP. Any change in policies will also affect FMLLP as FMLLP is aligned to the national agenda, thus we must cooperate. So it's impossible to say that changes in FAM will not affect FMLLP.
Any change in FAM will certainly have some effects on FMLLP as FAM is the general partner in FMLLP. Any change in policies will also affect FMLLP as FMLLP is aligned to the national agenda, thus we must cooperate. So it's impossible to say that changes in FAM will not affect FMLLP.
11. What can fans and football enthusiasts look forward to this season
I think the fans will be able to look forward to some progress on Media Prima's end with the broadcast. The online management platform will also help teams keep better records and manage player suspensions etc better. And I guess one key aspect is that we are able to deliver more statistics this year than any previous year prior. These are all things we are hoping to perfect this season.
I think the fans will be able to look forward to some progress on Media Prima's end with the broadcast. The online management platform will also help teams keep better records and manage player suspensions etc better. And I guess one key aspect is that we are able to deliver more statistics this year than any previous year prior. These are all things we are hoping to perfect this season.
 |
Friday, 27 January 2017
T-Team unperturbed by away thrashing
Kuantan: Despite being humiliated 0-5 by East Coast neighbour, Pahang, at Stadium Darul Makmur last night, T-Team remains unperturbed.
Head coach Rahmad Darmawan admits reflectively, " We lost everything, be it quality and experience. But it is a learning process for our young players to continue improving their performance." He is confident with time and more games, the players will learn and mature.
Rahmad adds, " Pahang played well. Their import players have good qualities. By contrast last night we fielded 4 new players in the starting line-up, including import Mamadou Samassa (first game of the season) and three young players. They needed time for adaptation. I believe all can be fixed.
Winger Mohd. Nor Hakim Hassan and centreback Wan Ahmad Amirzafran Wan Nadris did not play due to wedding leave and injury respectively.
In their first game last week, T-Team drew 1-1 with Sarawak at home.
For last night's episode, T-Team's coaching staff accept full responsibility and pledge their commitment to find ways and means to bring T-Team to a higher level this season.
Meanwhile, in a Premier League encounter, Terengganu defeated PDRM 1-0 at home last night.
 |
| Thrashed by Pahang 0-5 in Kuantan |
Rahmad adds, " Pahang played well. Their import players have good qualities. By contrast last night we fielded 4 new players in the starting line-up, including import Mamadou Samassa (first game of the season) and three young players. They needed time for adaptation. I believe all can be fixed.
Winger Mohd. Nor Hakim Hassan and centreback Wan Ahmad Amirzafran Wan Nadris did not play due to wedding leave and injury respectively.
In their first game last week, T-Team drew 1-1 with Sarawak at home.
For last night's episode, T-Team's coaching staff accept full responsibility and pledge their commitment to find ways and means to bring T-Team to a higher level this season.
Meanwhile, in a Premier League encounter, Terengganu defeated PDRM 1-0 at home last night.
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