Chief Striker Zaquan Rushed To Laos (BERNAMA)

PETALING JAYA, Dec 15 (Bernama) -- National striker Mohd Zaquan Adha Abdul Radzak who recovered from an eye infection, was today rushed to Laos in efforts to beef up coach K. Rajagobal's squad that face Vietnam in the final, on Thursday.

Zaquan who was sent home to receive treatment for an eye infection has been certified fit to play by medical officers said Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) secretary general Datuk Azzuddin Ahmad here Tuesday.

"He left to Laos this morning to join the rest of the players in the squad, currently preparing for the final, following a request from Rajagobal," he said.

Malaysia who qualified for the final after beating Laos 3-1 in yesterday's semi-final, will face Vietnam on Thursday, in what will be a repeat of their group match which was won by Vietnam (3-1).

Zaquan's presence would provide Rajagobal more options in attack since he would also have Norshahrul Idlan Talaha, Mohd Fakri Saarani and Abdul Manaf Mamat.

Azzuddin also urged athletes and players in the Malaysian contingent who do not have events on that day, to be at the stadium to drum up support for the national team since Rajagobal's boys would be out to end a 20-year wait for the gold in the SEA Games football competition.

Malaysia last won the gold when Malaysia hosted the 1989 SEA Games in Kuala Lumpur.

-- BERNAMA

Malaysia In Football Final After 3-1 Win Over Laos (BERNAMA)

From Zulhilmi Supaat ', TEXTFONT, 'Verdana, Arial, Helvetica', TEXTSIZE, '1', WIDTH, 75)" onmouseout="nd()">VIENTIANE, Dec 14 (Bernama) -- Malaysia have the chance to end their 20-year gold drought when their men's Under-23 squad play in the final of the SEA Games football competition after trouncing Laos 3-1 at the Main Stadium, National Sports Complex, here, Monday.

Malaysia will on Thursday play against Vietnam who thrashed Singapore 4-1 in another semi-final match at the Chaou Anouvong Stadium, near here.

Two of Malaysia's goals came from Baddrol Bakhtiar in the 13th and 79th minute, with Safiq Rahim scoring the third goal in the 84th minute.

Although the Main Stadium was filled by 23,000 home fans, K.Rajagobal's boys started confidently and made several dangerous moves to test their Laotian opponents.

The two teams did not meet at the group stage. Malaysia were runners-up in Group A while Laos topped Group B.

The last time Malaysia played in a SEA Games semi-final was in 2005 in the Philippines.

Baddrol's goal was the result of a cross from Abdul Manaf Mamat in front of the goal mouth and Baddrol did a scissor kick, sending the ball into the back of the net.

Feeling comfortable with that first goal, the Malaysians slowed down the pace.

Realising the fragility of the defence, Rajagopal took out Sabree Mat Abu to be replaced by Muhamad Azmi Muslim.

It was rather too late as Laos equalised in the 72nd minute with a strike from Kanlaya Sysomvang after he tricked Malaysia's defence.

However, seven minutes later, Baddrol was Malaysia's hero with a second goal.

In the tussle in front of the goal mouth, S.Kunalan's attempt hit the goal post before Baddrol swiftly followed up.

Safiq's goal, the third for Malaysia, came from a pass to him from Norshahrul Idlan Talaha.

The last time Malaysia won gold in football at the Games was in Kuala Lumpur in 1989, under British coach Trevor Hartley.

Since then, Malaysia managed only a silver in the 2001 edition of the Games in Kuala Lumpur when the competition format was changed to allow only the Under-23 teams to compete, and then won a bronze in 2003 in Vietnam and in 2005 in the Philippines.

In the 2007 Games, Malaysia had an early exit at the group stage.

For the record, Malaysia last met Laos in the Jakarta SEA Games in 1997 where Laos beat Malaysia 1-0.

Malaysia began the challenge in Group A this time by thrashing Timor Leste 11-0, lost 1-3 to Vietnam, and won 4-0 against Cambodia before their shocking 3-1 win over Thailand, the defending champions in the last eight editions of the Games.

Laos, top in Group B, drew 1-1 with Myanmar, the runners-up at the Korat SEA Games in 2007, before defeating Indonesia 2-0 and drawing 0-0 against Singapore, the runners-up in Group B.

-- BERNAMA

Rajagobal Mulling Strategy To Win Gold (BERNAMA)

From Zulhilmi Supaat ', TEXTFONT, 'Verdana, Arial, Helvetica', TEXTSIZE, '1', WIDTH, 75)" onmouseout="nd()">VIENTIANE, Dec 15 (Bernama) -- While the Malaysian media were congratulating K. Rajagobal after his boys defeated hosts Laos to go into the football final of the 25th SEA Games, the coach's frowned expression suggested that he was thinking hard.

Perhaps he was thinking of ways to fire up the spirits of his squad who will meet Vietnam in the final on Thursday. Vietnam had beaten Malaysia 3-1 in the second match in Group A on Dec 6.

"Maybe I shouldn't be talking too much and let the players think for themselves how to boost their own spirits and win the final," he said after the Malaysia-Laos semi-final match at the Main Stadium, National Sports Complex, here, Monday night.

Vietnam were top in Group A and Malaysia the runners-up.

In another semi-final match at the Chaou Anouvong Stadium, here, Vietnam trounced Group B runners-up Singapore 4-1.

The Malaysian Under-23 squad, not expected to go into the final, beat the hosts 3-1, giving them a chance to win gold since Malaysia last did at the Kuala Lumpur SEA Games in 1989.

On Monday's match, Rajagobal said after Baddrol Bakhtiar scored the first goal in the 13th minute, there was a lapse of concentration and his boys allowed their opponents to control play.

But they got a wake-up call when Laos equalised in the 72nd minute through Kanlaya Sysomvang and then started to play more attacking football.

Rajagobal said not many people realised how difficult it was for the Malaysian squad playing against Laos as they were without their regular strikers.

"Mohamad Zaquan Abdul Radzak is still injured while Ahmad Fakri Saarani and Mohd Amirulhadi Zainal are suspended.

"I only had a midfielder of calibre, Safiq Rahim, and he proved his capability," said a relieved Rajagobal.

While controlling the midfield, Safiq also gave Malaysia's third goal in the match. Baddrol had earlier scored the second goal in the 79th minute.

Laos coach Alfred Riedl said Malaysia controlled the first-half and his charges the second.

"But lady luck was not on our side as Malaysia managed to find our net twice in the second-half," said the Austrian coach.

In their last meeting at the Jakarta SEA Games in 1997, Laos beat Malaysia 1-0.

-- BERNAMA

Malaysia-Laos Football Semifinal May Be Telecast Live (BERNAMA)

VIENTIANE, Dec 13 (Bernama) -- The Malaysia-Laos football semifinal match of the 25th SEA Games here may be telecast live to Malaysia.

The match is scheduled for 8 pm (Malaysian time) tomorrow at the National Stadium of the National Sports Complex.

Deputy Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Razali Ibrahim told Malaysian reporters on Sunday, the ministry, through the National Sports Council, was discussing the matter with the Information Communication and Culture Ministry.

The Malaysian squad, under coach K. Rajagobal, entered the semifinals after beating eight-time consecutive champion Thailand 2-1 in the last match of Group A on Friday.

Malaysia last won the football gold medal in the biennial SEA Games in Kuala Lumpur in 1989. The coach then was Trevor Hartley of Britain.

-- BERNAMA

Do Not Bask In Glory Of Having Beaten Thailand - Coach Rajagobal (BERNAMA)

From Zulhilmi Supaat



VIENTIANE, Dec 13 (Bernama) -- Malaysian players have been reminded not to bask in the glory of having beaten eight-time champions Thailand but to focus on the match against host Laos in the semifinal on Monday of the SEA Games football competition.

National head coach K. Rajagobal said one of the challenges tomorrow would be to focus on the game in the Main Stadium of the Laos National Sports Complex here where 20,000 supporters are expected to be cheering the home team.

Rajagobal had earlier taken the Malaysian squad through a light training session at the Laos Football Federation field here.

Malaysia, who were not given any hope of making it to the semifinals especially when they had to get past Thailand who have not missed a semifinal in 36 years, beat Thailand 2-1 in the final match of their group last Friday.

Malaysia will face Laos in their semifinal match at 7pm (8pm in Malaysia), and the match is likely to be telecast live to Malaysia over TV2 with the cooperation of the Information Communication and Culture Ministry and the Youth and Sports Ministry.

Rajagobal said he was without three key players, Ahmad Fakri Saarani, Mohd Amirulhadi Zainal and Mohamad Zaquan Adha Abd Radzak.

Ahmad Fakri and Mohd Amirulhadi have been suspended for one match after being shown a second yellow card in the match against Thailand.

Striker Mohamad Zaquan Adha, who can play following his two-match suspension, is suffering from an eye ailment and is seeking treatment back in Kuala Lumpur. He was shown the red card in the match against Vietnam.

"I have been in contact with him and, according to him, he is recovering following a medical examination this morning," he said, but added that bringing Mohamad Zaquan Adha for tomorrow's match would depend on his health and the flight schedule.

Vietnam will play Singapore in the other semifinal match, also at the same time, at the Chou Anouvong Stadium near here.

-- BERNAMA

Football Steals The Show In Vientiane (BERNAMA)

Football Steals The Show In Vientiane

From Zulhilmi Supaat

VIENTIANE, Dec 11 (Bernama) -- Although aquatic events provided Malaysia with five gold medals, including setting three new records and improving on four national records, the focus was definitely on football after K.Rajagobal's squad qualified for the semi-finals.

The Malaysian squad beat Thailand 2-1 to deny Thailand a berth in the semi-finals for the first time in 36 years.

The last time the Malaysian squad took a gold medal in the biennial games was 20 years ago in 1989 in Kuala Lumpur under British coach, Trevor Hartley.

Malaysia today won six gold medals, three in swimming, karate (2) and diving (1).

The national contingent also won three silver medals (karate, shooting, snooker and billiards) and nine bronze medals (swimming - 2, shooting - 2, taekwondo - 2, diving - 1, karate - 1 and cycling - 1)

National swimmer, Daniel Bego, broke the SEA Games record and the national record in the 200m men's freestyle with a time of 50.16 seconds.

The games record was previously held by Richard Sam Bera of Indonesia (50.80s) and Daniels's national record was a time of 50.94s set in the World Swimming Championship in Rome.

Siow Yi Ting also broke a games record in the 100m women's breast stroke with a time 1:09.82s.

Siow erased the record of 1:10.55s set by Nicoletta Teo of Singapore in Korat, Thailand last year, and her national record of 1:11.29s set in the Doha Asian Games in 2006.

Khoo Cai Lin in the 400m women's freestyle set a personal best with 4:10.75s, some six seconds faster than her national record of 4:16.96s.

The time renewed her SEA Games record of 4:18.20s set in Korat, Thailand.

Malaysia also set a new national record via the women's freestyle quartet with a time of 3:51.40s, bettering the old record of 3:54.91s.

Karate contributed two gold medals through Mohd Hatta Mahmud in the men's kumite below 84kg while Jamalliah Jamaludin got a gold in the women's kumite above 60kg.

The shooting squad's hopes for a gold were dashed after Bibiana Ng managed a silver in the 10m Individual Women's Air Pistol.

Bibiana Ng and team mates Joseline Cheah and Siti Nur Masitah Mohd Badrin then won a bronze in the 10m Team Air Pistol event while another bronze was won in the 50m Women's Team Prone Rifle event after Muslifah Zulkifli, Nur Suryani Mohamed Taibi and Nor Ain Ibrahim failed to defend their title won in Korat.

At the end of the third day of the 25th games, Malaysia was at fifth place with eight golds, nine silvers and 18 bronzes.

Vietnam is at the top spot with 14 golds, 10 silvers and 10 bronzes, followed by Singapore (14, 6, 12), Thailand (13, 22, 17) and Indonesia (11, 7, 14.)

Tomorrow, the fourth day of the 25th SEA Games that began officially on Dec 9 and ends on Dec 19, the focus returns to aquatic events.

Leong Mun Yee, Pandalela Rinong and Yeoh Ken Nee will take part in the diving event and Daniel Bego in the swimming event.

Meanwhile, other events like badminton and golf are still in the early rounds.

-- BERNAMA

Bola Sepak Sukan Sea: Malaysia 11 Timor Leste 0

Malaysia Thrash Timor Leste 11-0 To Open Sea Games Campaign In Style (BERNAMA)

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 2 (Bernama) -- Malaysia thrashed Timor Leste 11-0 in a men's group A match to open their Laos Sea Games campaign in style at the National Stadium in Vientiane, on Wednesday.

According to the official games website, www.laoseagames.2009, striker Ahmad Fakri Saarani led rout with a hat trick, while fellow striker Norshahrul Idlan Talaha struck twice.

Zaquan Adha Abdul Razak, Baddrol Baktiar, Amirulhadi Zainal, Amar Rohidan, Safiq Rahim and Aidil Zafuan Abdul Razak contributed a goal each to enable Malaysia to score their biggest victory in the history of the Games.

Malaysia's second match will be against Vietnam on Sunday, Cambodia on Dec 8 and defending champions Thailand on Dec 11.

All matches will be played at the National Stadium, except the match against Cambodia, which will be played at the Chao Anouvong Stadium.

Group B comprise host Laos, Myanmar, Singapore and Indonesia.

-- BERNAMA

___________________________________________________________________

Laos kena belasah (Utusan Malaysia Online)

Ahmad Fakri Saarani berjaya mencatat hatrik untuk membantu negara membelasah Timor Leste 11-0 pada perlawanan pembukaan Sukan SEA XXV, di Laos semalam.

KUALA LUMPUR – Skuad kebangsaan bukan sahaja mendapat tiga mata penuh yang dihajatkan, tetapi turut berpesta gol apabila membelasah Timor Leste 11-0 pada perlawanan pembukaan acara bola sepak Sukan Sea XXV Laos di Stadium Nasional di Vientiane, semalam.

Dalam satu lagi perlawanan Kumpulan A, juara bertahan Thailand dan Vietnam seri 1-1.

Penyerang dari Perlis, Ahmad Fakri Saarani muncul penjaring terbanyak ketika menentang pasukan di ranking ke-200 dunia itu apabila menjaringkan hatrik pada minit ke-41, ke-71 dan ke-77.

Norshahrul Idlan Talaha turut meledak dengan dua gol, masing-masing pada minit ketiga dan ke-30.

Enam lagi gol masing-masing dijaringkan oleh Zaquan Adha Abdul Razak (m-15), Baddrol Baktiar (m-12), Amirulhadi Zainal (m-88), Amar Rohidan (m-90), Safiq Rahim (m-28) dan ketua pasukan, Aidil Zafuan Abdul Razak (m-58).

Lebih membanggakan sebelas gol tanpa balas yang dicatatkan semalam merupakan rekod baru jaringan terbesar dalam acara bola sepak di peringkat Sukan SEA.

Jaringan terbesar acara bola sepak pada Sukan SEA sebelum ini dicatatkan oleh Indonesia yang membelasah Kemboja 10-0 pada Sukan SEA 1995 di Thailand.

Lain-lain perlawanan yang berakhir dengan jaringan besar dalam acara bola sepak pada SEA ialah sembilan gol tanpa balas yang dicatatkan Indonesia ke atas Brunei (Sukan SEA 2001, Kuala Lumpur).

Thailand mengalahkan Filipina dan Vietnam mengalahkan Laos dengan jumlah gol yang sama pada Sukan SEA 1999 di Brunei.

Sementara itu, Setiausaha Persatuan Bola Sepak Malaysia (FAM) Datuk Azzuddin Ahmad menyambut baik kemenangan besar skuad negara.

Namun, beliau berkata, para pemain tidak seharusnya terlalu terpengaruh dengan jumlah gol yang dijaringkan ke atas Timor Leste kerana ada tugasan lebih besar menanti, iaitu menentang Vietnam Ahad ini.

“Kemenangan besar ke atas Timor Leste ini mungkin didorong oleh semangat pemain yang mahu melepaskan geram akibat penerbangan ke Laos yang tertunda kelmarin.

“Secara peribadinya, bagi saya kemenangan ini adalah satu permulaan baik. Walaupun menang ke atas pasukan bukan pilihan, tetapi kita harus ingat bahawa pasukan lawan juga membuat persiapan yang baik untuk menyertai kejohanan ini.

“Saya harap pemain tidak hilang tumpuan dengan kemenangan besar ini, kerana saya bimbang jika kita tidak berjaga-jaga dan terus gah dengan margin gol yang besar ke atas Timor Leste, padah menanti kita pada perlawanan seterusnya,’’ katanya ketika dihubungi semalam.

Malaysia akan menentang Vietnam dalam perlawanan kedua Ahad ini, Kemboja pada 8 Disember dan juara bertahan Thailand pada 11 Disember.

Semua perlawanan akan berlangsung di Stadium Nasional, kecuali perlawanan menentang Kemboja yang akan diadakan di Stadium Chao Anouvong.

Kumpulan B terdiri daripada tuan rumah Laos, Myanmar, Singapura dan Indonesia.

Kali terakhir kita memenangi emas Sukan SEA pada 1989 di Kuala Lumpur tetapi kempunan sebarang pingat pada Sukan SEA Korat 2007.