World Cup 2030 in South East Asia??

World Cup 2030 in South East Asia??

The rumour has been spilled. All the South East Asia countries, joined together as ASEAN are mulling over a bid to host the World Cup in 2030.

First of all, i literally laughed at this suggestion when i first heard about it. Do you expect this region to successfully host the biggest and most happening tournament and festival in the world? At the current progression rate, i say no.

What is needed to host a successful World Cup tournament? The facilities has to be the best among the best. Yes, we did host the Asian Cup a few years ago but come on. Lets be realistic, its only the Asian Cup. The World Cup is a massive task to handle and for a group of nations to host it together requires a lot of co-operation between all the South East Asia nations which is probably ridiculous considering how things are going on between Malaysia and Indonesia.

Next thing is safety. Malaysia is probably the safest country here in South east Asia together with Singapore. Do you expect Thailand to host this tournament? With all the political unrest in its land? Do you expect Indonesia, who even failed to properly host Manchester United to a ''FRIENDLY'' game to host the WORLD CUP? I definitely say no way.

But again, FIFA is not going to take any decision for the next decade on the 2030 host. THERE IS TIME FOR IMPROVEMENT. A statement we often hear but never put to the task. IF we do want to host this tournament, we need a massive changeover. Not only in Malaysia, but all the South East Asia countries. I really meant MASSIVE!

We need to show that we are capable of successfully hosting a World Cup because if we do get to host it, it will leave a huge legacy in this region of the world. If not, it will only be a waste of money and time and the whole situation with England officials giving excuses over their losses will be taking place in South East Asia. I do not wish to see that here.

One advice, if you want to do it, make sure you really intent to do it. Coz' you're in for a massive ride.

Forget the past, Write the future!

Cheers!
Keeshaanan Sundaresan

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Harimau Malaya kills of the Garudas as whole nation embraces in glory

Harimau Malaya kills of the Garudas as whole nation embraces in glory

The whole nation was in frenzy as the Malaysian Football Team lost to Indonesia 2-1 in the AFF Suzuki Cup Final 2010 2nd leg. Yes, you heard me right. They lost. But who cares? We won on aggregate!!!

The pre-match headlines were all being buzzed about how Indonesia were looking up to the challenge of trouncing Malaysia again but the moment Safee Sali smacked in a fantastic goal past the Indonesian goalkeeper, the whole stadium that was packed with people clad in red and white went quiet. Their dream was over. Malaysia had that much coveted away goal advantage and they all knew it. They all knew that it was going to be super hard to put in 5 goals past a young but matured Malaysian side brimming with confidence.

I mean, who would have expected it right? After getting trounced 5-1 by Indonesia in the opening match, all Malaysian football fans were crestfallen and got back to their old perception of Malaysian football. But somewhere in a hotel in Indonesia, K. Rajagopal seem to had other ideas. he told his players to believe in themselves and turn it around and despite not playing well, that was what they did as they beat Laos drew 0-0 with a Thailand team coached by Manchester United legend, Bryan Robson.

In the final group game, they strolled past Laos with a hard fought 5-1 victory that sealed their ticket to the semi final with a date with Vietnam looming. Sure enought, Malaysia played like a team as they defeated Vietnam 2-0 in the first leg of the semi final at the Bukit Jalil Stadium. For the second leg, the instructions were pretty simple. They knew what they had to do. Go out there, stay calm and collective and don't concede. That was exactly what they did as the Malaysian lads managed a tough 0-0 draw in the 2nd leg to book a place in the final.

It wasnt just a cup final. I was time for vengeance. It was time for revenge. Time for the Indonesians to be humiliated after what they did to Malaysia in the first group game. The first leg was at Bukit Jalil and when the day came, the atmosphere at the stadium was something like what you can experience when Manchester United play at Old Trafford. and boy oh boy did the Malaysian team play well on that day. They absolutely whacked Indonesians on their face with a huge 3-0 win that placed one hands on the cup already. The game was marred by some unwanted incidents which i do not wish to recap here but i was impressed with the way the Malaysian offcials dealt with it.

Heading into today's game, the gameplan was a little bit differente. Indonesia will be desperate for goals and it would leave them vulnerable at times and Malaysia were aiming to exploit that vulnerability and earn that important away goal. And they managed to strike first blood as a wonderful pass was set up for Safee Sali and he did fantastically to fire in an unstoppable shot which left the Indonesian goalkeeper, Markus helpless.

After that, they played well but they did take their foot of the gas a little bit to allow some space for relaxation but even if they conceded two, it didnt matter. Malaysia deserved the cup and certainly grew in stature throughout the tournament and played together as a team and most importantly, had that hunger and desire for success. Kudos to K. Rajagopal for instilling it in them

As the new champions, we have now stepped up a level as a footballing nations. Its a majot step towards bringing back the glory days of Malaysian football. The journey has not ended. There's still a long way to go but with the right mindset and attitude, we can write the future.

I have two wishes for now. Do not dismantle this current young squad and ddo not sack K. rajagopal. There will be some minor hiccups or even major one but i think he has shown enough to convince that he is the right man for the job. He definitely brings out the best in whatever squad of players he has. Keep him longer by extending his contract. I would also love to see more development for football at grassroot levels so that we can keep producing quality players to continue the journey towards glory.

for once, i believe that MALAYSIA BOLEH

Forget the past, Write the future.

Cheers!

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