No plane to take football team to Laos

The Malaysian Under-23 squad came to the RMAF Air Base in Subang at 9.30 am but were brought back to Wisma FAM at 4.00 pm - after spending more than six hours at the airport. Delay in flight arrangements prevented the team from taking off to Laos for the SEA Games.

Once the contingent is selected, it is the responsibility of the Chef-De-Mission, Datuk Dr. Ramlan Aziz and the people at Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) to make sure that travel and other arrangements for athletes and teams are done properly. Chances are both parties would say that this is a FAM matter.

"There was a delay in flight arrangement, we wrote to the necessary agencies and approval was given 10 days ago, but it was unfortunate that this has happened." said an official.

The team, coached by K.Rajagopal is scheduled to take on Timor Leste on Wednesday in the opening match of the SEA Games soccer competition.

The team is travelling in a private chartered flight because it is placed in category B; which means they will pay for their (maybe in advance) for their expenses, which include travel and lodging. Should they win a gold medal, they will be reimbursed in full.

They will make yet another journey to RMAF Subang today and one can only hope that the plane can take off.

Suspend the cyclist, coach

Malaysian rider Wan Najmee Mohd was disqualified in the fourth stage four of the Tour d' Indonesia, last week.

He was disqualified because a Malaysian vehicle assisted by pulling him during the race, an act that is considered as cheating. Race officials, when contacted, confirmed the reason for the disqualification was pulling by a team vehicle.

Journalists covering the race also confirmed that the incident took place and they felt it was a serious matter that needed to be dealt with sternly. Unless. of course, if this is a "new tactic" by the coach.

Malaysian National Cycling Federation (MNCF) should take this issue seriously and not brush it aside because the team was representing the nation in an official tournament. If MNCF is not capable of doing anything, probably the National Sports Council (NSC) - the main sposor of cycling - should make it known that cheating will never be tolerated.

But, chances are nothing will be done and probably nothing said about it.

Fazin diberi surat tunjuk sebab

Majlis Persatuan Berbasikal Kuala Lumpur (PBKL) telah memutuskan sebulat suara untuk mengeluarkan surat tunjuk sebab kepada bekas pemangku Setiausaha Kehormat persatuan itu, Haji Fazin Saad.

Surat tunjuk sebab itu, yang ditandatangani oleh pemangku Setiausaha Kehormat yang baru, Firdaus Arshad dihantar minggu lalu dan Fazin diminta mengemukakan jawapan secara bertulis dalam tempoh 14 hari dari tarikh penerimaan surat berkenaan.

Surat itu bertarikh 25 Oktober 2009. Mesyuarat 3 November 2009 itu dipengerusikan oleh Timbalan Presiden PBKL, Daud Abu Kassim.

Menurut surat itu, majlis PBKL memutuskan untuk mengeluarkan surat tunjuk sebab itu atas empat pertuduhan yang berkaitan dengan penganjuran program '50 Jam Tanpa Henti Cabaran Kecergasan Merdeka 2007.

Empat pertuduhan itu, adalah seperti berikut:
1. Bahawa tuan mengetahui penganjuran program '50 Jam Tanpa Henti Cabaran Kecergasan Merdeka 2007' di Kompleks Sukan Negara di Bukit Jalil pada 26 Ogos 2007 ditauliahkan kepada PBKL oleh Majlis Kecergasan Kebangsaan (MKK) di bawah Kementerian Belia dan Sukan (KBS) dengan peruntukkan RM17,000 pada Mesyuarat MKK (20 Ogos 2007) tetapi kenapa PBKL tidak menerima dana tersebut?

2. Bahawa tuan kelihatan mengelolakan acara ini berseorangan dengan dibantu oleh pegawai-pegawai dan petugas-petugas PBKL yang berlainan daripada keputusan Mesyuarat Pelaksana pada 24 Ogos 2007. Benarkah, MKK tidak iktiraf PBKL dari aspek pengeluaran pembayaran program ini?

3. Bahawa tuan gagal memaklumkan, MKK telah keluar pembayaran kepada pihak ketiga (Individu?) di antara 21 - 24 Ogos 2007. Dari mana datangnya 'Hadiah Wang Tunai, Elaun Petugas, sewa peralatan dan lain-lain yang dibayar semasa itu?

4. Bahawa tuan memahami program ini adalah 'Aktiviti Tahunan 2007 PBKL' dan segala transaksi Wang Masuk/ Wang Keluar hendaklah direkodkan bersama baki penjimatan/ lebih perbelanjaan diistiharkan. Oleh itu, pihak mana yang menerima dana perlu bekalkan laporan lengkapnya.

Surat itu juga menyebut bahawa isu ketidaktelusan pendapatan kepada PBKL secara tidak langsung telah menjejaskan penyediaan Laporan Kewangan Bagi Tahun 2007, 2008 dan 2009.

Lain-lain keputusan Majlis PBKL:

1. Majlis sebulat suara menolak surat perletakan jawatan oleh Presiden PBKL, Tan Sri Mohd Noor Abdul Rahim (gambar).

2. PBKL akan menyerahkan semula pengurusan Velodrom Kuala Lumpur kepada Dewan Bandara Kuala Lumpur (DBKL). Bagaimanapun, PBKL akan mohon kebenaran untuk menggunakan ruang pejabat dan bilik mesyuarat di Velodrom.

3. Mesyuarat Agung PBKL ke-20 ditangguhkan buat sementara waktu sehingga SPRM selesai siasatannya kerana agenda kewangan wajib dibentangkan dan keadaan ini sudah dimaklumkan kepada Pesuruhjaya Sukan Malaysia semasa sesi perbincangan pada 19 Oktober lalu.

3. Mesyuarat bersetuju melantim Firdaus Arshad untuk memangku jawatan Setiausaha Kehormat manakala Haji Badri Mukri menguruskan hal-hal berkaitan kewangan dan pemangkuan ini sah sehingga Mesyuarat Agung semula diadakan.

4. Ramlan Mohd Said dilantik Pengurus pasukan ke SUKMA 2010 manakala Nor Effandy Rosli dan Firdaus sebagai jurulatih.

Confidence-eroding defeat

The Malaysian U-23s, who are preparing for next month’s SEA Games, suffered a confidence-eroding 1-0 defeat to Maldives at the UITM Stadium on Thursday.

K Rajagobal’s men could do nothing right in the friendly and the only goal of the match was scored from the spot by Ali Ashfaq.

According to media reports, the furious coach changed the entire squad for the second half but to little avail. A foul by Md Faisal Muhammad saw Maldives being awarded a penalty that was duly dispatched by Ashfaq past goalie Syed Adney.

Rajagobal resorted to more changes in an attempt to bring up the equaliser but his efforts proved in vain as the Malaysians failed to find the net in the face of stubborn resistance from the Maldivians.

The two clash again on Sunday before Maldives, who are the SAFF champions, depart for Dhaka for the South Asian showpiece, which runs through December 4-14. - AFC.

Target: Semi-finals only-lah

Malaysian national Under-23 head coach K. Rajagobal has set the semi-finals as his first target for the team which will compete at the SEA Games in Laos next month.

Rajagobal said that the reason why he has set a place in the semi-finals for his chargers was due to the grouping which they are in.

The Malaysians are in Group A of the SEA Games against defending champions Thailand, Vietnam as well as Cambodia and Timor Leste.

“I only got to know that Tuanku President (FAM president Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah) wants a medal from the SEA Games squad through the media,” said Rajagobal.

“Following the official draw earlier this month, we have been placed in a tough group against tough teams like Thailand and Vietnam.

“And it is for that reason, I want the team to make the semi-finals first. Then we can take it from there.”

Rajagobal said that the desire of Sultan Ahmad Shah in wanting to see the U23 team finish their SEA Games campaign in the medal is not an impossibility considering the great stride they have made this year.

He felt that the hard work, determination and commitment of the players will ensure that the Malaysian U23 squad will have an even chance of making the last four.

“The opening match against Timor Leste will be important. We need to put in a strong showing. We need to be better than Thailand and Vietnam if we want a place in the semi-finals,” he added.

”The first match will determine how far we will go in this meet. We need the full points against Timor Leste. We do not have a choice.

“Winning the opening match will give the team a boost to their morale.”

Endo wins AFC Player of the Year Award

Japanese star Yasuhito Endo won the AFC Player of the Year Award on Tuesday night, fending off the powerful challenges of four other top Asian players.

Endo, of J.League side Gamba Osaka, received the most points in terms of MVP awards during the 2009 season, which covers AFC Champions League matches, AFC Asian Cup matches, FIFA World Cup qualifiers and other tournaments organised by AFC.

Also nominated were Syria's Firas Al Khatib, Kengo Nakamura of Japan, Iranian Hadi Aghily and Sayed Mohamed Adnan of Bahrain.

The AFC Player of the Year Award is decided by MVP points awarded by Match Commissioners and the AFC’s Technical Study Group officers.

Endo played three AFC Asian Cup 2011 qualifiers this year as well as six AFC Champions League matches. He also played in three FIFA World Cup qualifiers for Japan.

He was able to earn 120 points from matches in 2009, thanks to six MVP titles. This was 20 more points than joint second-placed Sayed Mohamed Adnan and Nakamura.

Aghily finished with 95 points while Al Khatib ended up with 85.

Endo helped Japan qualify for the FIFA World Cup finals while Gamba, last year's Asian champions, reached the round of 16 this year before losing to fellow J.Leaguers Kawasaki Frontale 3-2.

"I would like to thank the AFC for this Award," said Endo, who was nominated last year but lost to Uzbek Server Djeparov. "This is a big honour for me.

"I was here last year but unfortunately, I wasn't able to win. However, I am very happy to win this year.

"I hope I can be a role model for young players everywhere and give hope to others in Asian football."

Photo: Yasuhito Endo receives his AFC Player of the Year Award from AFC President Mohamed Bin Hammam. - AFC.

$1 bil for Asian soccer

Asian soccer chief Mohamed Bin Hammam signed a $1 billion dollar rights deal with World Sports Group on Tuesday.

The deal gives Singapore-based sports marketing, event management and media group WSG rights to Asian Football Confederation (AFC) events up until 2020.

"Asian football is scaling new heights," Hammam told reporters in the Malaysian capital.

"It is AFC's pleasure to renew our tight relationship with WSG, who were the first ones to recognise the incredible potential of the Asian game." WSG have been commercial partners of the AFC since 1993.

"They came to support us when our revenues (from rights) were close to zero. We had difficult times where our competitions were worth nothing ... people wanted to pay nothing."

The agreement is expected to deliver "at least" $1bn in revenues to the AFC over the contractual period, WSG said.

"This is a landmark deal and shows what Asian football is capable of achieving."

WSG Chairman Seamus O'Brien, said: "In 1993, we made a commitment together with the AFC to take Asian football to the world.

"Today, in just over a decade and a half, the value of Asian football has grown 10-fold and it has earned its rightful place on the international stage.

"Its events are being watched and followed throughout the world, not just in Asia, by billions of passionate fans and viewers."

Financial details of that deal were not made public, but under that multi-year, multi-million dollar agreement WSG are responsible for marketing and managing sponsorships and licensing arrangements for the golf tour. - Wire services.

Ahmed Isthiaq is not well

Ahmed Isthiaq Mubarak (picture), former national record holder and athletics coach, is said to be not well.

According the Pelapis-Future Champions blog, a group from National Sports Council's Pelapis Division visited Isthiaq at his house in Kemensah, Hulu Kelang on Saturday.

According to the report, Isthiaq's health is not too good. The report did not specify as to what caused his healt to be affected.

Isthiaq has been asked to undergo medical tests at the National Sports Institute in Bukit Jalil.

As an athlete, Isthiaq was the star hurdler. His 13.8s (hand-timed) which he clocked during training in Germany in 1976 saw a breakthrough for the event with other hurdlers clocking better times subsequently.

Born 6 Feb 1948, Isthiaq represented Malaysia in three Olympics, the first in Mexico City in 1968. He also participated in the 1972 games in Munich and the 1976 event in Montreal.

In Montreal he qualified for the semi finals where he clocked 14.21s to be ranked eight.
We pray for his speedy recovery.

Iraqi FA suspended

The Emergency Committee of FIFA decided Friday to suspend the Iraqi Football Association (IFA) due to governmental interference.

FIFA learned on 16 November that the Iraqi Olympic Committee had disbanded the IFA and that governmental security forces had seized control of the IFA headquarters.

On the same day, FIFA informed the IFA that if the decision was not revoked within 72 hours and if the headquarters were not returned to the IFA by the same deadline, the case would be referred to the FIFA Emergency Committee.

The deadline has expired without revocation of the decision by the Iraqi Olympic Committee and the IFA has not been restored to its headquarters. The FIFA Emergency Committee has therefore decided to immediately suspend the IFA until the decision of the Iraqi Olympic Committee is revoked and the IFA retakes possession of its offices.

In accordance with FIFA Statutes, the clubs and representative teams of Iraq are no longer permitted to take part in international matches, whether friendly or competitive. Furthermore, the IFA is deprived of its right to vote at any congresses held by international bodies and is no longer entitled to receive financial assistance.

However, the FIFA Emergency Committee has agreed to let the Iraqi women players take part in the U-16 regional football festival organised by the Norwegian Football Association in Jordan between 22 and 29 November.

The measures taken by the Iraqi Olympic Committee and the security forces are unacceptable to FIFA as they stand in total contradiction of IFA and FIFA statutes

The current members of the IFA Executive Committee are the sole recognised interlocutors for FIFA, and FIFA hopes that they will be rapidly reinstated so that they can work on the agreements that have been reached with regard to the revision of the statutes and the holding of elections.

Santokh Singh in coma at HKL

Malaysian football legend Santokh Singh (picture) is in a coma at the Kuala Lumpur Hospital. His condition has been reported as stable.

The 57-year-old who played at the 1972 Olympic Games in Munich, Germany, has been warded at the intensive care unit after he collapsed and lost consciousness at 11 am on Monday at his home in Setapak.

His wife, Taljit Kaur, believes that the former international could have been struck by a viral infection as doctors had yet to determine the source of his ailment. She said Santokh did not have any health problems.

"A day earlier, my husband was in great health and even managed to conduct a coaching programme," she told reporters here Friday.

Meanwhile, Football Association of Selangor (FAS) general secretary Datuk Hamidin Amin who visited Santokh Friday, said his contributions to Malaysian soccer during the 1970s were invaluable.

He told Bernama, that FAS would help in any way it could to facilitate Santokh's speedy recovery, and urged fans to pray for their idol.

Sprinters to rule at Tour d' Indonesia

Tour d’Indonesia organizers hope more competitors will make up for a shorter race and the absence of the country’s top cyclists.

Indonesia’s best racers are skipping the Tour, which begins on Sunday and runs through Dec. 5, in order to focus on training for the Southeast Asian Games. However, a new format and more new faces should still provide some drawing power.

The Tour will feature 11 Indonesian teams and nine international teams, including defending champion Tabriz Petrochemical of Iran, competing for the trophy and $100,000 purse. Last year’s race had 10 local teams and seven international sides.

Race director Sofian Ruzian said on Wednesday that organizers initially invited 15 international teams.

The 2009 edition of the Tour will be shorter than the 1,726 kilometers of previous years. The race, which begins in Jakarta and finishes in Denpasar, is now 1,513 kilometers after organizers eliminated one stage.

Last year’s penultimate stage, from Gilimanuk to Candi Dasa in Bali, was scrapped because of traffic concerns.

Sprinters may find more joy this year after organizers dropped a steep climb in Selo, Central Java, from the fifth stage because of safety reasons. Instead, racers will start the stage in Semarang and go through Klaten before finishing in Yogyakarta.

They will also have more opportunities to show their speed after the number of sprint events increased from 14 last year to 17, including one in the 215-kilometer fourth stage from Purwokerto to Semarang.

“That will improve our chances to win something,” said DKI Jakarta Club sprinter Rohmat Nugraha, the runner-up in the sprint classification in 2006.

Organizers also hoped to hold three criterium events, but an International Cycling Union (UCI) rule change halted that plan.

“According to the UCI, an organizer may hold a criterium during a road race event only if it meets the requirement of a route over five kilometers,” Sofian said. “Jakarta’s and Surabaya’s criteriums are under five kilometers, but Denpasar still meets the requirement.”

The Jakarta and Surabaya criteriums will likely be changed to team time trials, but Sofian said that would be decided today. The Bali criterium in Lapangan Renon, Denpasar, will still be the closing stage.

International & continental teams:

Azad University (Iran), Japan National Team, Korea National Team, LPGMA (Philippines), Malaysia National Team, Plan B (Australia), Polygon Sweet Nice (Indonesia), Road Phils 7-Eleven (Philippines), Tabriz Petrochemical Team (Iran)

Local teams: Araya Sidoarjo, Benteng Muda Tangerang, Bintang Kranggan, Custom Cycling Club, DKI Jakarta Club, Dodol Picnic Garut, ISSI Jabar, Kutai Kartanegara, ISSI Solo, Putra Perjuangan, United Bike Kencana

Super Failure.

"Busy" Lee Chong Wei received a super knockout in the early rounds of the China Super Series when he lost Denmark's Jan O Jorgensen 6-21 21 13 17 21, in Shanghai, Wednesday.

Chong Wei, the World's number one player, who recently complained about tight schedules which make it difficult for him to represent his country at the SEA Games in Laos (10-17 Dec), is said to have just recovered from a knee injury.

In the Hong Kong Super series which ended last Sunday, Chong Wei, 27, defeated Peter Gade from Denmark 21 13 13 21 21 6 to become champion. And, three days later he lost in a tournament where he was the runner up to Lin Dan.

The next tournament on "busy" Chong Wei's schedule is the Super Series Masters Finals in Johor Bahru (2-6 Dec).

Is this the year of failures for Malaysian Sports? Or are these failures going to get those concerned to see that things have not been right for a long time and layers of wrongs are now destroying sports?

Anyway, I will write about these failures in my annual review soon. There way out to save some sports that are moving in circles of failure is volunteerism - all office bearers voluntarily resign and let new people with fresh ideas and no vengeance, malice and other motives in them to run sports. Why should all resign? Well you have failed. Haven't you?

Big Failure

Malaysia's hopes of playing in the 2011 Asia Cup evaporated at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil after losing 1-3 to Uzbekistan in their Group C qualifying match in Kuala Lumpur Wednesday.

It was Malaysia's third consecutive defeat in as many matches and the second against Uzbekistan, incidentally by the same score line, who were clearly in a class of their own with their better fitness and crisp passing.

Coached by Mirdjalal Kasimov, the Uzbek's struck the first blow in the 32nd minute through defender Anvar Gafurov's header before Bakhodir Nasimov nailed the second in the 58th minute after receiving a pass from Jasur Hasanov inside the penalty box.

Malaysia reduced the deficit in the 70th minute when Baddrol Bakhtiar's powerful drive gave the 200 odd fans something to cheer but Uzbekistan skipper Timur Kapadze restored his team's two goal advantage in the 72nd minute with a clinical strike.

National head coach K. Rajagobal was quick to acknowledge that he knew a win against the Uzbeks was going to be difficult despite playing at home, as there was a vast difference in a number of aspects, mainly technical.

"We really felt the absence of suspended striker Mohd Zaquan Adha Abdul Radzak (two yellow cards) because he could have added speed in attack. Overall they played well and regained some confidence after scoring a goal," said Rajagobal.

Malaysia complete their Group C fixtures against UAE in January next year while Uzbekistan have already confirmed their place for the finals in Qatar, with nine points from three matches.

UAE need one point from their next match to follow the Uzbeks to Qatar.

Award for Nicol's parents

The former “Iron Lady of Athletics” Zaiton Othman walked away with the Women and Sport Award, 2009, at a glittering Awards Dinner organized by the Olympic Council of Malaysia at the Wisma OCM Indoor Sports Complex last night.

There were also five other awards given to persons who had in various ways advanced the cause of women in sports.

The Award is made annually to any individual or group that has made outstanding and significant contribution to the promotion, development and advancement of women in any sport or sport related activity.

This is part of the International Olympic Committee’s efforts to promote gender equity in sport.

Malaysian efforts have had limited success women athlete participation in Olympic Games, Asian Games and Commonwealth Games has been steadily increasing and we have produced a few women world beaters like Nicol David, Siti Zalina, Siti Safiyah and Wong Mew Choo.

“However, we have not been very successful in our efforts to produce women leaders and decision-makers like coaches, technical officials, administrators, managers and sports scientists. Obviously, this has to be our next focus”, said the OCM President, Tunku Tan Sri Imran, in his welcome address.

Since the OCM Women and Sport Committee started organizing these awards in 2003, 22 persons have been given these awards. Winners include coaches, presidents and secretaries of sports association and even sports journalists.

Zaiton, the former heptathlete who dominated the event for more than a decade in the SEA region, was judged the winner for her untiring effort to increase women participation in sport and assisting them to pursue excellence.

A trained physical educationist and sports psychologist, Zaiton is a full time sports officer with the National Sports Council and is currently the Director for Athletes Welfare. Young athletes consider her an inspiring role model and often go to her for counseling and guidance.

Faridah Osman, the archery coach in Kuala Selangor, who has been producing successful athletes at MSSM, Selangor State, SUKMA and National Junior levels received the Woman and Sport Award for Grassroot Development while YM Tunku Dara Tunku Tan Sri Naquiah binti Almarhum Tuanku Ja’afar, who has been the President of the Negeri Sembilan Women’s Football Association for 40 years and President of the Malaysian Women’s Football Association for 14 years received the Women and Sport Leadership Award.

Parents of two world champions, also received recognition for the support and guidance that they gave their daughters who wanted to pursue sport excellence.

Ann-Marie and Desmond David, parents of world squash champion Nicol David and Faudziah Mokhtar and Abdul Rahman, parents of Tenpin Bowling sensation Siti Safiyah received the Women and Sport Partnership Awards.

“For women in Malaysia, excelling in sport is a very stressful undertaking with a lot of challenges and obstacles to overcome – hardly can any woman become a world champion without parental support,” said Zaiton Othman.

Chong Wei "too busy" for Laos

Malaysia’s Lee Chong Wei, the world’s No. 1-ranked badminton player, is considering skipping next month’s Southeast Asian Games in Vientiane, Laos, fearing fatigue.

Lee (left) a silver medalist at last year’s Beijing Olympics, has been in great form, winning last weekend’s Hong Kong Super Series, but the men’s singles star is worried about his busy schedule.

He is due to play the China Open Super Series starting Wednesday, as well as the Super Series Masters Finals in his home country in the first week of December, raising doubts about his chances of playing in the Dec. 9-18 SEA Games.

“To expect one to peak in four back-to-back tournaments is asking for the impossible,” he told The Star newspaper. “I will compete in the China Open and Masters Finals. But I am not sure whether I will be able to raise my game in the SEA Games.” -Reuters

Borneo Eagles soar away

The Borneo Eagles showed no mercy when the top Sabah rugby team crushed defending champions Combined Old Boys Rugby Association (Cobra) 32-10 to win their first ever title at the 40th HSBC-Cobra Rugby 10s Championship at Padang Utara, Petaling Jaya, Sunday.

The Borneo Eagles, powered by 13 imports, dominated the 30-minute finale with well-coodinated attacking and air-tight defence enroute to five tries, two conversions and a penalty while their rivals made do with two tries.

Sandakan-based team manager K.H.Tan told Bernama, the comfortable win over the homesters came from sticking to a good game plan.

"Our players strictly followed the game plan by their coach Tomasi Cama. We have learnt and improved our style of play from the previous two tournaments we had participated -- the Borneo 7s and Singapore Cricket Club 7s," he said.

On the way to the final, Borneo Eagles topped their group without dropping a match, beating RMR Warrior 76-00 in the quarter-final and in the semi final, they stream-rolled past Penguin International of United Kingdom 22-0.

"Before the tournament kicked off, there was a lot of talk that the Penguin and Cobra were the two top teams that will win this title. But, as underdogs, we always work as a team and overcame our two prominent opponents with sterling results," said Tan.

The loss meant Cobra failed to clinch their sixth title since the championship's inception in 1967. They had won in 1968, 1972, 1977, 1998 and 2008.

"We were a bit unlucky in the final. Our strategy wasn't working for us from the start of the match," said Cobra coach Boon Hoon Chee.

Cobra topped in their group match by thrashing Swanbourne Nomads of Australia 21-5 in the quarterfinals and Alumni Sekolah Alam Shah of Putrajaya (ASAS) 19-7 in the semis.

Borneo Eagles took home the prize money of US$3,000 (RM10,500) while Cobra received USD$2,000 (RM7,000).

In the supplementary titles contest, the Plate Cup was won by Seremban-based NS Wanderers who beat Northlink College of South Africa 22-12, and Sabah Eagles clinched the Bowl Cup after edging out newcomer Indian Invaders 34-17, in the final.

Hockey: Malaysia fails to qualify for World Cup

Malaysia failed to qualify for the 2010 World Cup Hockey Finals after losing 1-2 to New Zealand in the qualifiers final in Invercargill, New Zealand, on Sunday.

Two goals by the hosts through penalty corners in the second half wiped out the early 1-0 lead Malaysia had in the first half.

Coach Tai Beng Hai's boys could not hold on to the advantage garnered by Muhammad Razie Abd Rahim in the 18th minute off a penalty corner.

New Zealand came back stronger after the interval and equalised in the 57th minute through Andrew Hayward whose shot beat keeper S. Kumar.

The equaliser inspired the New Zealand players, dubbed the "Black Sticks", and Hayward clinched the winner three minutes later.

The Malaysian players could have scored in the second half, but failed to convert three penalty corners.

The victory enabled New Zealand to book their place in the 2010 World Cup finals scheduled to be held in New Delhi, India, from Feb 28 to March 13.

This is the second time in a row that Malaysia have failed to make it to a World Cup finals, the first being in 2006.

Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Ahmad Shabery Cheek said here that the team played well considering that they were up against the hosts in the final.

"They played extraordinarily well in the match against China (winning 3-0) and we expected them to do just as well today," he told reporters.

Malaysia was ranked 16th in the world going into the qualifying tournament, behind New Zealand (ranked 8th) and China (13th). - Bernama

Malaysia freeze in Tashkent

A double from the prolific Sutee Suksomkit gave Thailand a well-deserved 3-1 win over Singapore in a Group E tie of the 2011 Asian Cup qualifiers that was played at the National Stadium.

It was Thailand’s first win in their campaign following the two scoreless draws in their first two matches against Iran and Jordan.

Sutee found the net in either half of an exhilarating encounter with goals in the 12th and 81st minute and Therdsak Chaiman’s 75th minute strike sandwiched in between.

Therdsak is just making a return to the national side now under the guidance of former England captain Bryan Robson.

Singapore’s only goal of the game came off Mustafic Fahrudin six minutes to the end.

Malaysia conceded a 3-1 loss to Uzbekistan in a match was played under freezing conditions in Tashkent. The score at the half was 0-0.

The hosts took the lead just a minute into the second half off Djeparov Server before Geynrikh Alexander grabbed a brace with goals in the 57th and 65th minute.

The Malaysians scored their only goal of the game off Mohd Zaquan Adha Abdul Razak in the 68th minute before losing defender Mohd Nashriq Baharom five minutes to the end. -AFF.

2018 World Cup: Hammam supports England

FA of England'ss beleaguered bid for the 2018 World Cup has received encouragement from one of FIFA's powerbrokers, Mohamed Hammam (picture, right with FIFA President, Sepp Blatter).

The President of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) rejected concerns raised by FIFA vice-president Jack Warner, whose attack on England's bid promoted last week's emergency reshuffle of the FA campaign.

Hammam said: 'Your bid is equivalent to other bidders. It's going in line with other bidders. I really don't see any one going aggressively ahead in the campaign; everyone is really working slowly. The way I see it the English are doing just as well as the other bidders.'

But he warned that excellent stadia and England's football history are not necessarily enough to win the campaign.

Cobra march into quarter finals

Defending champion Combined Old Boys Rugby Association (Cobra) and four other local teams marched into the Cup's quarter-finals of the HSBC-Cobra Rugby 10s Championship at Padang Utara, Petaling Jaya on Saturday.

Capitalising on scintillating moves, Cobra topped group D after thrashing all their opponents in the round robin matches.

The Petaling Jaya team crushed Armed Forces' RMR Warriors 57-0 in the opening encounter before defeating newcomers, Alor Star Blues 54-0 and the Royal Thai Navy 50-0.

"Although we had the advantage of playing at home, there is no doubt that the strong combination and understanding between local and foreign players contributed to the sterling performance," said coach Boon Hoon Chee, who put the team through their paces for the last 19 years.

He said Cobra had the services of three foreign players - Johnny McNicoll and Michael Coman from New Zealand and Sean Morrell from Fiji.

With the new addition, Cobra now have seven foreign players. The other foreign players are Fijians Isoa Turuva, Jone Wesele, Vioniani Tauvoli Korotama and Kini Rasolosolo Tora.

The local players are Nik Safuan Ismade Nik Man, Mohd Faiz Samsukhidir, Mohd Nazeer Mohd Nesharah, Mohd Syahir Asyraf Rosli, Mohd Amin Jamaluddin, Mohd Hafiizah Zainal and K. Dinesvaran.

In the Cup's quarter-final match Sunday, Cobra will take on Swanbourne Nomads of Australia.

The other four local teams that made it to the last eight stage are NS Wanderers, Borneo Eagles, RMR Warriors, and Alumni Sekolah Alam Shah (ASAS).

NS Wanderers topped group B by beating Royal Selangor Rugby Club 40-5, Terengganu Tigers 40-7 and Northlink College of South Africa 12-5.

NS Wanderers, who emerged champion in the Jonah Jonas 7s, NS Royal 7s, Bali 10s, and Borneo 7s, will take on Penguin International of United Kingdom in the quarter-final.

Sandakan based Borneo Eagles led group C after trouncing Indian Invaders 41-5, Armed Forces' Machinery and Electrical Engineering Corps 68-0 and Swanbourne Nomads of Australia 19-0.

Borneo Eagles will play another Armed Forces team, RMR Warriors in the quarter-final.

RMR Warriors, who emerged second behind Cobra in group D, were pummelled 0-40 by Cobra in the opener but made a come back in their second match by beating the Royal Thai Navy 25-12 but drew level 5-5 with Alor Star Blues.

Meanwhile, Putrajaya based ASAS, who had to content with the second place behind Penguin Internationals in Group A beat Borneo Eagles of Sabah 19-17, whitewashed by UK's Penguin International 0-73 and outpaced Kuching Rugby Football Club 70-0.

ASAS will meet Northlink College of South Africa in the quarter-final.

Kiwis qualify for South Africa

New Zealand claimed their place at next year's FIFA World Cup™ finals with a pulsating win over Bahrain today in the second leg of their play-off. Striker Rory Fallon headed home the only goal of the game on the stroke of half-time, while goalkeeper Mark Paston also saved a penalty to see the All Whites through to South Africa.

In front of a capacity crowd at Wellington's Westpac Stadium on Saturday night, New Zealand repeated the efforts of the national team of 1982. The 35,194 boisterous fans, the largest crowd to watch a football match in New Zealand, made their presence felt with a continuous cacophony that started well before the opening whistle and continued long after referee Jorge Larrionda blew for full-time. The result gave the All Whites a 1-0 aggregate win following the goalless draw in Manama on 10 October.

"This group of players has given everything to achieve this dream, everything over the last four years," said New Zealand coach Ricki Herbert, who was a member of the defensive line that played in Spain. "It's incredible. We're back. We're there."

New Zealand skipper Ryan Nelsen, paid tribute to the 35,100 fans in Wellington - a record for a football match in the country. "The crowd was incredible and I don't know if we could have won it without them," he said. "They were our 12th man today and they got us home. I've played in some incredible atmospheres but this is right up there."

The hosts were under early pressure conceding two corners and having defender Ben Sigmund yellow-carded in just the third minute. They gave Bahrain goalkeeper Sayed Mohammed Jaffar his first test in the eighth minute when a Shane Smeltz header across the goalmouth from a Leo Bertos free-kick found Nelsen, but his looping header found the top of the net.

Striker Chris Killen almost broke the deadlock in the 19th minute when he sent a delightful left-foot volley from the edge of the penalty area beyond the Bahrain goalkeeper but off the crossbar. Soon after attacking midfielder Bertos, having made his presence felt with a number of early runs at the defence, sent a right-footed free-kick just wide of Jaffar's left-hand post.

All Whites goalkeeper Paston was on hand on the half-hour to dive low to his left and deny a snap volley in front of goal by Bahrain front man Jaycee John. Jaffar then produced a superb reflex save from a goalbound header by Fallon with half-time closing in, with Bertos again involved in the play in providing the cross.

But that was all in vain in the 45th minute when, from a Bertos corner, Fallon rose highest in the six-yard area to send a powerful header beyond Jaffar. On the balance of play the All Whites half-time lead was deserved, with Bertos and a Tony Lochhead providing most of the sting in the home side's attacking forays.

The drama intensified in the 50th minute when referee Larrionda pointed to the penalty spot after Lochhead fouled Abdulla Ismaeel Omar. However, the combination of a poor strike from Sayed Mohamed Adnan and a perfectly-timed dive by Paston to his right kept the All Whites in front.

Nelsen increasingly stamped his class on the match, organising the defence as the visitors pushed forward in search of an equaliser.

Smeltz came close to doubling the tally with 20 minutes to play but his close-range strike flashed wide. Killen then sent an overhead kick on the six-yard box high over the cross bar with nine minutes remaining. Desperate defending from All Whites pair Ivan Vicelich and Nelsen spurred the home side on in the closing minutes.

In the end it was one shot for glory, and Fallon and New Zealand, took it. - FIFA.

Malaysia moves closer

Malaysia beat China 3-0 in the final group World Cup 2010 qualifier match in Invercagill on Saturday, setting up a clash with host New Zealand for a slot to the finals.

China which only needed a draw to progress went behind when Kevinder Singh scored for Malaysia in the 37th min, the International Hockey Federation said on its website www.fihockey.org. Malaysia plays New Zealand today.

Malaysia's second goal arrived only one minute later when Tengku Ahmad Tajuddin Tengku Abdul Jalil scored with a shot from outside the D.

China which which retaliated with several raids found Malaysian goalkeeper S.Kumar in his element.

It instead conceded a third goal when Nabil Fiqri Mohd Noor finished a cross by Kevinder Singh in the 51st min.

The win put Malaysia on 10 points, second behind New Zealand which collected 15 points which emerged group champion.

In another group match, New Zealand beat Austria 4-0 to win all five group matches.

Only the top two teams qualify for the final with the winner qualifying for the World Cup 2010 Finals in India from Feb 28-March 13.

Malaysia beat Wales 2-1, Scotland 3-2, drew with Austria 2-2 and lost to New Zealand 2-4 in the group stage.

Kelantan fined RM50,000

The Kelantan Football Association (Kafa) have been slapped with a RM50,000 fine for the unruly behaviours of their supporters in the Malaysia Cup final at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil, last Saturday.

FAM disciplinary committee deputy chairman Datuk Mohd Taufik Abd Razak said Kelantan fans had committed three offences, namely hurling firecrackers and other objects on to and towards the pitch, hitting match officials with objects and damaging stadium properties.

For throwing firecrackers and other objects on to and towards the pitch, Kafa was fined RM5,000, hurling objects which hit match officials (RM20,000) and damaging the seats and the gates of the stadium (RM25,000), he told reporters after chairing the committee's meeting.

Mohd Taufik said the fines imposed were the minimum amount for each offence and Kafa could appeal within 14 days.

Kafa was represented by its president, Tan Sri Annuar Musa and Kelantan football management committee chairman Azman Ibrahim.

FAM secretary-general Datuk Azzuddin Ahmad said the FAM had to pay RM138,150 to the National Stadium for the damages.

He said the damages included RM2,400 for 16 seats damaged by fire, damage to 205 seats (RM30,750), track damaged by fire (RM60,000) and damage to toilets (RM20,000).

"The amount was presented by the stadium management at the disciplinary committee meeting. Will there be claims for other damages, I will not be able to say," he said.

Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Ahmad Shabery Cheek was reported as saying that Kelantan supporters had caused damages to the stadium to the tune of RM214,000.

About 85,000 football fans, of which 80 per cent were Kelantan supporters, watched the final where Kelantan went down 1-3 to Negeri Sembilan.

Rugby powerhouses for Cobra 10s

The HSBC-COBRA Rugby 10s 2009 will be held this weekend – the 14th and 15th November, 2009. After a long absence, the tournament returns to its home ground in Padang Utara, Petaling Jaya, which is adjacent to the COBRA clubhouse.

The ten-a-side, two-day tournament will see teams from various countries, including rugby powerhouses such as Australia, England and South Africa putting on a display of some of the best rugby ever seen in Malaysia.

It is a little known fact that one of the world’s leading 10s tournament, was conceived by the Combined Old Boys’ Rugby Association (COBRA).

It was in Kuala Lumpur that the world’s first 10-a side rugby tournament was held in 1967. The tournament went international in 1992 and as the saying goes … the rest is history.

Throughout its 40-year history, the tournament has always been very competitive with the participation of top club teams such as Canterbury Rugby Union of New Zealand (2007 Champions), Penguins International RFC of England (1993-1994 and 2006 Champions), Marist St Joseph of Samoa (1996 and 2004 Champions), Red Rock of Fiji (2003 Champions) and Argentina’s Mendoza Rugby Association (2005 Plate Champions finalist).

They are joined by Malaysian club heavyweights Sandakan Eagles, NS Wanderers as well as the host team COBRA.

Tough for Malaysia

Whichever way it went, there are no longer easy grouping following the official draw announcement of the men’s football of the 25th SEA Games in Laos, Monday.

Eight-times champions Thailand are in Group A alongside Vietnam, Malaysia, Timor Leste and Cambodia. In Group B are hosts Laos, Myanmar, Singapore and Indonesia.

Brunei have been banned by FIFA while the Philippines are not putting up either men‘s or women‘s team at this year‘s SEA Games.

Indonesian team manager Demis Djamaoeddin said that there are no longer easy draw at the SEA Games with all the teams taking part well prepared.

“Unlike in the past, there are no teams which you can consider as minnows,” said Demis from Palembang.

“All the teams taking part take the championship seriously and they prepare their teams for months. We are no different.

“For us, it makes no different being in either group. They are all tough. We can only prepare our team as well as possible. The rest will be decided on the day.”

Singapore have been building up steadily towards the SEA Games where their recent 6-0 win over their counterparts from Cambodia proved that their formula in having their team - the Young Lions - have regular competition in the S-League is paying off.

They are currently playing in the VFF-Smartdoor Championship in Hanoi where they had conceded a 1-0 loss to the Vietnam U23 side in their opening match.

The Young Lions then held the Thai U23 side to a 1-1 draw in their second match of the meet and will wrap up the competition by taking on China U23.

The Indonesians will be relying on the Uruguayan touch to carry the team through with the enlistment of Alberto Dica while for Laos, their win of the pre-SEA Games meet despite playing against U19 sides, will be an added incentive.

Add that to the expected home crowd, then Laos could just spring a surprise - or two.

Myanmar, through their recent formation of the Myanmar national league, have allowed their U23 players more playing time and with the expected four-nation tournament later this month, they will not be short of match experience.

At the very least, Myanmar will be looking at defending the silver they win two years ago in Thailand.

With the Thais again the firm favourites to defend their crown, Vietnam will be hoping that their win of the AFF Suzuki Cup last year will give them the confidence for the task ahead.

And certainly, the Vietnam U23 side seems to be oozing with confidence where this week, they picked up the VFF-Smartdoor Cup in Hanoi after beating Singapore U23 (1-0) and then China U23 (3-1).

They will play their final round robin match against Thailand U23 with the results being inconsequential to the end result.

Malaysia as always remain the dark horse with head coach K. Rajagobal saying that they will be taking it one game at a time. “It is a tough draw, but then there’s no way we can avoid it,” added Rajagobal.

Cambodia will be playing in a four-team meet in Phnom Penh this week while for Timor Leste, they are certainly capable of delivering the goods.

The teams taking part in the womens event are Malaysia, Thailand, Myanmar, Vietnam and Laos.

After 61 years, NS taste victory again

While many were expecting Kelantan to win for a fairy tale like season ending final, it was Negeri Sembilan who walked away with the prestigious Malaysia Cup after an exiciting match at the National Stadium, Saturday night.

Negeri Sembilan beat Kelantan 3-1 to end its 61 year wait. The last time Negeri Sembilan tasted victory was in 1948 when the trophy was known as the H.M.S. Malaya Cup.

The 'underdog' status clearly was not reflected in the game put up by the squad led by Wan Jamak Wan Hassan when they opened accounts as early as the 18th minute.

Shahurain Abu Samah sent a powerful shot in the penalty box which beat Kelantan goalie, Mohd Halim Napi after an error by defender Mohd Zamri Ramli that sent the approximately 15,000 Negeri Sembilan supporters into frenzy.

Stunned by the goal, Kelantan raised the level of their game in front of at least 70,000 of their supporters by launching several raids that failed to break through the opponents' defence led by Mohd Aidil Zafuan Abdul Radzak and Mohd Syukor Adan.

Negeri Sembilan too had several opportunities to widen their scoreline through Hairuddin Omar, who was on loan from T-Team, who had at least three chances to score but was foiled by Mohd Halim, and the 1-0 score ramained at half-time.

In the second half, the 'Red Warriors' substituted two of their strikers, Horhisham Hassan and Mohd Nizad Ayub with Che Hishammuddin Hassan and Mohd Khalis Jamlus, who were more experienced.

However, Negeri Sembilan appeared to be the more fierce side with Hairuddin scoring the second goal in the 46th minute after breaking free from the Kelantan defence.

In the 58th minute, Negeri Sembilan confirmed their victory when national striker Mohd Zaquan converted a penalty kick after Shahurain was brought down in the box.

The goal prompted a large section of the Kelantan supporters to leave the stadium with some of them burning flags, banners, chairs and letting off firecrackers.

The Red Warriors' lethal striker, Indra Putra Mahayuddin eventually scored for Kelantan in the 93rd minute (extra time) after taking the free kick from outside the penalty box, thus emerging as the top scorer in the Malaysia Cup series with 11 goals.

Yang Dipertuan Besar Negeri Sembilan, Tuanku Muhriz Ibni Almarhum Tuanku Munawir, and the Regent of Kelantan, Tengku Muhammad Faris Petra Sultan Ismail Petra and Tengku Temenggong Kelantan, Tengku Muhammad Fakhry Petra Sultan Ismail Petra were also at the stadium to watch the final.

Commenting on the match, Wan Jamak said the early goal was certainly needed by any team playing in the final and Shahurain succeeded in achieving it.

"The goal would determine the direction of the team and could immediately change their rhythm of play," he told reporters after the match.

The former national coach said the Negeri Sembilan players had proven that they had the resilience and mental strength to face the thousands of their opponents' supporters.

"I was certainly confident of victory based on the previous matches played by the team in the Malaysia Cup competition but I did not want to be over-confident," he said, adding that he was proud of the Negeri Sembilan record as the only team who had never lost in the Malaysia Cup matches.

Meanwhile, Kelantan coach B.Sathinathan said the second goal scored by Negeri Sembilan had broken the spirit of his players.

Rugby 7s surge in Asia

With rugby sevens being welcomed into the Olympic Games, the Indonesian Rugby Football Union is not about to be left out of the fun.

The Harimau, or Tigers (team picture, above), take their second crack at a first victory when the 12-man squad travels to this weekend’s Singapore Cricket Club Rugby Sevens Tournament.

Sam Refshauge, the IRFU development officer and national sevens coach, said the team’s international debut had been rushed.

“We have to replace six players from last week’s tournament due to injuries, work commitments and visa issues,” Refshauge said on Friday. “The new-look team is looking forward to getting to Singapore and focusing on the tournament.”

Indonesia faces a tough first day in Singapore as it plays the SA Vipers, Japan Samurai and NT Mosquitoes.

“Day 2 will see the competition even out a little, and hopefully the Harimau can put some points on the board against some more even competitors,” Refshauge said.

The Harimau began their journey at the Borneo Sevens Tournament last weekend in Kota Kinabalu, part of the new International Rugby Board Asian Sevens Series.

Seeded 12th out of 12 teams, Indonesia lost all five of its matches. It was drawn with top seed and eventual champion Japan, as well as Southeast Asian giants Malaysia and Thailand, and it fell to Taiwan and Brunei in the Bowl division. Fly-half Moses Kalo scored the Harimau’s first international rugby sevens points against Brunei, with a try and conversion in a 26-7 loss.

Football fever in Kelantan

Kelantan will set up a giant television screen at the Sultan Muhammed IV Stadium for football fans to watch the Malaysia Cup final match between Kelantan and Negeri Sembilan, which will be telecast live from the Bukit Jalil National Stadium Saturday.

Human Development, Youth, Sports and NGOs Committee Chairman Abdul Fatah Mahmood said the move was to give Kelantan football fans a chance to witness the final of the prestigious cup.

"This is the state government's social responsibility to uphold the sport. Between 2,000 and 3,000 people will be able to watch the game from the open area at the stadium," he told Bernama in Tanah Merah, Kelantan Friday.

Meanwhile, Abdul Fatah refuted claims that the state government was not interested in developing sports in the state.

He said that the state government would organise a sport carnival on Nov 13 and 14, involving more than 4,000 participants from throughout the country who would compete in more than 100 games.

Kelantan Football Association president Tan Sri Annuar Musa, in his speech when feting veteran Kelantan football players recently, claimed that the state government did not contribute anything to the association to develop football in the state.

Indonesia's Uruguayan experiment

After two years shrouded away in the wilds of South America, Indonesia’s great Uruguayan experiment is ready for its unveiling.

Saturday sees the Indonesian youngsters who played in the Uruguayan Quinta Division for two years compete in qualifying for the 2010 AFC Under-19 Championship. Matches in the six-team Group F run Nov. 9-17 at Si Jalak Harupat Stadium in Bandung.

Team manager Demis Djamaoedin said the players were in good condition.

“The training curve has declined, and the coach has started tactical training,” Demis said on Tuesday. “The boys have showed high determination. Their main goal is to play well, to qualify into the final round and to beat Australia.”

The team has trained in Bandung since early October. It played its final tryout match against the Bandung Under-21 team, which ended in a 1-1 draw. Mohammad Zaenal Haq scored the only goal for the Indonesian U-19s.

“We earned a good experience from the match. We scored, conceded a goal, were intimidated by the opponents and got bad calls from the refs. It gave the boys a good experience,” Demis said.

Joining Indonesia in the group are Australia, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore and Japan.

Indonesia opens against Singapore at 3 p.m. on Saturday. Japan plays Taiwan at 6 p.m., followed by Australia and Hong Kong at 9 p.m. -JG.

Indra grabs a double

Datuk Kamal Harun, National Corporate Affairs Manager, F&N Coca Cola Sdn. Bhd (at left); Datuk Seri Redzuan Tan Sri Sheikh Ahmad, the deputy president of the FA of Malaysia (centre) and Azman Ibrahim (at right) the Kelantan team manager receiving the award on behalf of Indra Putra Mahayuddin.



KELANTAN striker Indra Putra Mahayuddin swept the Most Valuable Player (MVP) and Best Striker awards at the 100 Plus-FAM National Football Awards in Petaling Jaya, Wednesday.

The international striker who scored 14 goals en route to guiding Kelantan to their first ever Malaysia Cup final in almost 40 years, beat names like Mohd Nizaruddin Yussof from Perlis, Amri Yahyah from Selangor and Mohamad Zaquan Adha Abdul Razak from Negeri Sembilan for the title.

K. Devan who guided Selangor to the Charity Shield, FA Cup and Super League titles in his debut season, walked away with the Best Coach award while Selangor capped a superb season by winning the Best Team award.

Selangor also added another feather to its cap when skipper Amri Yahyah was named Best Midfielder for his sterling performances and goal scoring ability, since he was also Selangor's top scorer with 13 goals.

Meanwhile, the ootball Association of Malaysia (FAM) who expect a bumper crowd for the Malaysia Cup between Kelantan and Negeri Sembilan, said they had taken all the necessary steps to ensure safety of the fans as the meeting of the two teams in itself has a history of violence.

When Kelantan and Negeri Sembilan met in a first round FA Cup match at the Sultan Muhammad IV Stadium in Kota Baharu back in April, crowd trouble inside the stadium escalated into a riot outside the stadium which forced the Federal Reserve Unit (FRU) and police to act.

Subsequently, the FAM barred Kelantan from playing their matches at home.

"We will do everything possible to ensure the safety of the fans. We are working very closely with the police to make sure everything goes on smoothly," said FAM secretary-general Datuk Azzuddin Ahmad.

Toyota quits F1

Toyota is pulling out of Formula One racing, the world's largest automaker announcing Wednesday that it needs to cut costs and focus on its core business.

"Based on he current economic environment, we realize we have no choice but to withdraw from Formula One," Toyota president Akio Toyoda said at a news conference. "This has been a very painful decision for the company."

Toyota follows Honda Motor Co. as the second major Japanese automaker to withdraw from the spot in last 11 months. Honda pulled out in Dec. 2008 amid worsening economic conditions. Brawn GP, which took over the old Honda team, won the 2009 F1 championship.

Toyota officials called the withdrawal from F1 complete, making a return to the sport when and if conditions improve unlikely.

Toyota, the wrld's largest car manufacturer, is seeking to cut costs as it expects to post an operating loss for the six months ended Sept. 30. It is due to report earnings Thursday.

The company posted its worst ever loss in the financial year ended March.

Like other Japanese exporters, Toyota is hurt by a strong yen. The dollar has recently hovered around 90 yen. Toyoda, grandson of the company's founder who became president this year, has vowed to avoid a third straight year of losses.

On Monday, Japanese tire manufacturer Bridgestone Corp. announced it would not renew its exclusive deal to supply tires for F1 when its contract expires in 2010.

That announcement came one day after the 2009 F1 season concluded with the Abu Dhabi GP.

In July, Toyota-owned Fuji International Speedway announced it would not host the Japanese F1 GP from 2010 and beyond amid the faltering global economy.

Fellow Japanese automakers Subaru and Suzuki pulled out of the World Rally Championship ahead of this season, citing concerns about the global economic crisis.

Toyota made its F1 debut in 2002 but has never won a grand prix. The team's best result was in 2005 when Jarno Trulli finished second in Malaysia and Bahrain.

Toyoda said the team's poor results were not a factor in the decision to leave the sport.

"Our decision would not have changed even if we had a victory," Toyoda said. "The fact that we are unable to give our drivers a chance to compete is very sad."

Despite a promising start to the 2009 season, Toyota finished fifth in the constructors' standings.

Trulli and Timo Glock raced for Toyota this season. Trulli finished eighth in the driver standings and Glock was 10th.

Kamui Kobayashi filled in for an injured Glock in the last race of the season and posted a sixth-place finish at Abu Dhabi.

For the first time in eight years, there'll be no Japanese owned team on the F1 grid in 2010.

Japanese manufacturers have supplied engines to various teams over the decades, as well operating their own teams. Toyota's withdrawal will mean that for the first time in eight years there will be no Japanese contructor on the grif for the 2010 F1 season.

Ryoichi Saito, an auto analyst at Mizuho Investors Securities Co. Ltd., said Toyota's move underscored a severe slump in the global auto market.

"The withdrawal from F1 is part of Toyota's cost cutting efforts amid a global downturn," Saito said.

"The company can no longer stay in costly F1 while making massive losses. Toyota's decision means that the company wants to invest more in hybrid vehicles rather than F1," he said.

Singapore's YOG coach dies

DAVID Sivalingam (picture), coach of Singapore's Asian Youth Games and Youth Olympic Games football teams, died on Sunday evening after collapsing at a football game. He was 51.

Tragedy struck the Football Association of Singapore staff coach during a charity game at the Indian Association. The match was organised by some former players, including Sivalingam, and friends to raise money for former Woodlands Wellington winger S. Anthonysamy, who was paralysed after a tackle in 1996.

Some of the ex-Malaysia Cup veterans present were V. Sundramoorthy and Abbas Saad. Former Singapore international R. Suriamurthi, also a FAS staff coach, was on the sidelines of the pitch when his colleague collapsed suddenly.

"Sivalingam has no health problems that I am aware of. The match kicked-off at 5pm and he played for half an hour before falling forward, face down," said Suriamurthi.

"He was unconscious and his mouth was bleeding as a result of the fall. A doctor and nurse, who were on the sidelines, attended to him immediately. An ambulance came within minutes but after Sivalingam reached Tan Tock Seng Hospital, he was pronounced dead at about 5.50pm."

Sivalingam led the Asian Youth Games team out on home soil in July. Although the Under-14s lost to Iran (1-2), Thailand (1-4) and China (0-3), the team earned kudos for their gutsy performances. -ST.

Holiday in Kelantan

Kelantan has declared Sunday as a state holiday to mark the team's historic Malaysia Cup appearance in the final on Saturday, Nov 7 at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil.

Deputy Menteri Besar of Kelantan Datuk Ahmad Yakob said Nov 8 (Sunday) was declared a state holiday to celebrate Kelantan's historic appearance in the final of the Malaysia Cup after 39 years.

"It is an incentive for the people of Kelantan to go and support the team in Bukit Jalil. As for the players and officials, the state government will bear the cost of their Umrah package and also provide cash incentives for making it to the final," he told reporters in Kota Bahru, Wednesday.

Kelantan made it to the final after beating Perlis 5-1 on aggregate after a 2-0 home win in Kota Baharu and a 3-1 away win in the second leg at the Utama Stadium in Kangar.

The last time Kelantan qualified for the Malaysia Cup final was in 1970 but lost 0-2 to Perak.

This time around, Kelantan will meet a resurgent Negeri Sembilan who demolished Terengganu on a 4-1 aggregate.

"We hope that with the next day declared a holiday, fans will not rush back home but take their time and drive slowly and carefully home," he said.

Tok Guru promises most special reward

Kelantan Menteri Besar Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat has promised the state's football team a "most special" reward never before given by any state if they win the Malaysia Cup for the first time ever in the final against Negeri Sembilan on Saturday.

State Executive Councillor and Kelantan Stadium Corporation chairman Datuk Takiyuddin Hassan would announce the reward Wednesday after the state executive council meeting at Kota Darulnaim, he told Bernama last night when contacted in Kuala Lumpur where he had attended the meeting of the Conference of Rulers.

Kelantan or "The Red Warriors" have yet to win the Malaysia Cup since the inception of the competition in 1921. They made it to the Malaysia Cup final in 1970 but lost 0-2 to Perak.

Negeri Sembilan last won the cup in 1948.

The final will be played at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur.

Kelantan, Perak disqualified from 2010 Leagues

Kelantan and Perak are among six teams that have been disqualified from the Malaysian Leagues 2010 as they had infringed on the conditions set by the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM).

On the other hand, UPB-MyTeam and Proton FC have pulled out from the from the Super League and the Premier League respectively. The other four teams disqualified were Penang (Super League), Pahang (Premier League), Melaka (Premier League) and Shahzan Muda (Premier League).

Competitions Committee Chairman Datuk Che Mat Jusoh said, among the conditions infringed by the teams were failure to settle outstanding salaries of the players and remit their Employees Provident Fund subscriptions until the deadline on Saturday.

Che Mat, however, said the fate of the six teams would rest with the FAM Council meeting to be chaired by FAM president Sultan Ahmad Shah soon.

If the council endorse the decision, the Super League will be left with 11 teams next season from 14 teams this season while 10 teams will compete in the Premier League compared to 14 now.

"If the Super League is down to 11 teams, FAM will invite another team from the Premier League to join the Super League to bring the number of teams to 12.

"We have also accepted requests from UPB-MyTeam and Proton FC to withdraw from the Super League and the Premier League respectively," he said, adding actions on the two teams would be decided later.

On the 100PLUS-FAM National Football Awards 2009 on Wednesday, he said Selangor was adjudged the best managed club, Johor FC (the best club) and KL Plus (of having the best fan club).

The following teams qualified for Super League 2010: Selangor, Perlis, Kedah, Johor FC, Terengganu, KL Plus, Harimau Muda A, Negeri Sembilan, KM Naza, Johor and T-Team.

The Premier League 2010 will be made up of PDRM, Kuala Lumpur, ATM, PKNS Selangor, Sabah, KL Felda United, KL Pos, Perlis KSK Tambun Tulang, Harimau Muda B and Sarawak.

Japan wins IRB Borneo Series

Japan won the International Rugby Board (IRB) Asia Rugby Series/Borneo Series in Kota Kinabalu after beating Hong Kong 38-14 in the final, Sunday.

Japan coach Wataru Murata said he was happy with the team's performance in the tournament as they conceded only four tries throughout the tournament.

"We made three conversions in the final match today. Basically, we controlled the game. Our defense was good and managed to block Hong Kong's tries," he told reporters.

Murata said the team had prepared well for every game in order to improve their skills since the team was preparing for the next Olympic games in London.

Japan made it to the final after beating South Korea 10-7, while Hong Kong beat Malaysia 22-17 in the other semi-finals to advance.

Earlier, Malaysia finished fourth after going down 7-33 to Korea while China came in fifth after thrashing the Philippines 34-0.

Meanwhile, Negeri Sembilan Wanderers won the Club Cup after beating Davetalevu 10-7, while Sandakan Rugby (SRC) Borneo Eagles took home the Club Plate after beating Combined Old Boys Rugby Association (COBRA) 26-10.

NSAs to Govt: The rentals are too high

Many National Sports Associations are complaining about the hight cost of rental for usage of the Tun Razak Hockey Stadium and the National Tennis Centre. They want the National Sports Council (NSC) to manage both the venues again. The following report was published in Mingguan Malaysia, today.

Sewa kompleks hoki, tenis makin mahal

Pengurusan Kompleks Tenis Jalan Duta dan Stadium Hoki Tun Razak di Kuala Lumpur perlu dikembalikan kepada Majlis Sukan Negara secepat mungkin bagi memudahkan pertubuhan sukan menggunakan kemudahan asas yang tersedia.

Sejak pengurusan diserahkan kepada Perbadanan Stadium Merdeka mulai 1 Mac lepas, banyak persatuan sukan merungut terutama sekali caj tempahan atau sewaan yang dikenakan melambung naik.

"Pengurusan berkenaan menganggap bahawa misi mereka adalah mencari keuntungan dan bukan lagi menyediakan kemudahan bagi atlet," kata Presiden Persatuan Lawn Tenis Malaysia (LTAM), Datuk A. Razak Latiff.

"Kami sendiri terpaksa merebut-rebut untuk melakukan tempahan gelanggang. Kami bersaing dengan tempahan komersial. Tak kan LTAM terpaksa menempah gelanggang luar manakala pejabat kami di kompleks ini. Bilik penginapan pun melambung naik, mana persatuan lain boleh menyewanya."

Katanya, kemudahan asas disediakan kerajaan untuk membangunkan sukan dan bukan bagi menagih keuntungan secara komersial.

"Tanpa kemudahan asas sukan yang cukup, tak perlulah kita mempunyai impian untuk maju dalam sukan," katanya.

Sementara itu, Naib Presiden Persatuan Kriket Melayu Malaysia, Datuk Ar. Mir Shahariman Shaharuddin juga mahukan Menteri Belia dan Sukan, Datuk Ahmad Shabery Cheek bertindak segera.

"Pulangkan kepada badan yang lebih bertanggungjawab seperti MSN. Persatuan kami menempah bilik untuk banyak pertandingan di sini sejak tahun 1995 dan memperoleh harga berpatutan.

"Kriket Melayu telah membangunkan kriket dari peringkat akar umbi dan menerima pelbagai anugerah antarabangsa dan kegemilangan ini perlu dikongsi bersama," katanya.

Harga bilik penginapan di kompleks tenis itu melonjak naik mendadak apabila pengurusan bertukar. Ia merupakan tempat yang ideal untuk penginapan berbanding hotel bagi pemain remaja bawah 12 kerana mereka sering ditemani ibu bapa atau penjaga pada sesuatu kejohanan.

"Kami harap menteri segera campur tangan kerana kadar sewaan semacam hotel ini akan menyeksa mereka yang bergiat dalam sukan. Sepatutnya kita meramaikan lagi pembabitan dengan menyediakan banyak kemudahan asas kalau ingin menjadikan sukan sebagai industri," kata Mir Shahariman.

Isu mengenakan caj tinggi itu juga dibangkitkan oleh bekas Ketua Pengarah Majlis Sukan Negara, Datuk Wira Mazlan Ahmad yang telah menulis ulasan dan cadangannya kepada Timbalan Menteri Belia dan Sukan, Datuk Razali Ibrahim tidak lama dulu.

Tetapi malangnya, sehingga sekarang dia perkembangan langsung daripada timbalan menteri itu.

Setiausaha Persekutuan Hoki Malaysia, Hashim Yusoff juga berang apabila kadar sewaan Stadium Hoki Tun Razak naik melebihi tiga kali ganda apabila pengurusan bertukar.

"Ini sudah melampau. Sepatutnya pihak kerajaan yang menyediakan kemudahan sukan tetapi Perbadanan Stadium Merdeka mengkomersialkan kegiatan dan meraih keuntungan untuk membiayai pelbagai belanja pentadbiran," katanya.

Hashim berharap agar pengurusan kedua-dua gelanggang ini diberikan semula untuk MSN kerana fungsinya selari dengan pembangunan sukan di negara ini.

Kelantan vs NS in M-Cup final

It will be the Red Warriors against the Deers in the final of the Malaysia Cup.

Kelantan, dubbed the Red Warriors, who are this season's FA Cup runners-up demolished Perlis 3-1 in the semifinal second leg at Stadium Utama, Kangar to march into the final with a 5-1 aggregate win.

Having won 2-0 in Kota Baharu in the first leg on Tuesday, Kelantan were in no mood for mercy and opened scoring in the 27th minute when Perlis keeper Mohd Farizal Marlias failed to stop Mohd Norfarhan Muhammad's piledriver from inside the box.

Mohd Norfarhan again put his name on the scoresheet when he netted the visitors' second goal in the 53rd minute before Perlis pulled one up through Mohd Firdaus Faudzi in 70th minute.

It was Mohd Norfarhan's night when he completed his hattrick in the 87th minute to take Kelantan into the final.

Negeri Sembilan, the Deers, confirmed their place in the final when they defeated Terengganu 3-1 in the return leg at the Sultan Ismail Nasiruddin Shah Stadium in Kuala Terengganu, leaving them with a 4-1 aggregate victory in the semifinal.

National striker Mohd Zaquan Adha Abdul Radzak netted a brace for the visitors in the 9th and 18th minutes, making it an almost insurmountable task for the hosts to make the final.

Terengganu, however, were not one to cave in and managed to reduce the deficit when Khairul Izwan Khalid scored in the 35th minute.

Negeri Sembilan might be small state but their players played with big hearts and found goal number three when former Terengganu player Hairuddin Omar stamped his mark in the 45th minute.

Malaysians will be treated to a "David and Goliath" final at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil come Saturday to see who among the two will lift the prestigious Malaysia Cup this season.