Malaysia for 2012 and 2015!

The note below was written back on Saturday, July 30, 2011

Article starts here:

"We have to remember that the team is being prepared for the 2015 Asian Cup. They can only get better. Injuries and delaying tactics broke our attacking rhythm and momentum. But that's not the only reason. A lapse in concentration in our defence caused us to concede the equaliser. We should have won the match, but as a coach I'm happy with my players' performance. It's not fair to blame any player. It's a team game and we all have to share the blame." - Datuk K. Rajagopal

Malaysia's gonna get better thru the years, with the progress they've been doing.

Strengths

Coaching Staff- No doubt KingGopal is Malaysia's most successful National Coach in Malaysia's footballing history. With Ong Kim Swee leading the promising Under 23 squad. Who is the potential successor to KingGopal, should the King want to retiree, I doubt it. If Sir Alex can last til now, why not KingGopal? For now the long term future for Malaysia is bright.

Goalkeeper- We have Khairul Fahmi aka 'Apex' by fans. Only 22 Years-old, he continues this professionalism, he can be a World Class Keeper. Farizal Marlias the former number one before the AFF Cup who was left out due to a long term injury is back. Returning from injury, he displayed promising performance for club and recently against EPL side Chelsea. He should be the deputy to Apex

Wingers- We got Kunalan, Amirul Hadi, Gurusamy, and etc. With promising players from the Under 23 Team such as Wan Zack Haikal, Irfan Fazali, Faizal Abu Bakar and co. Malaysia have a healthy competition in the winger department, with a lot of talent. For me Wan Zack is really promising, he can score goals, technically gifted and tactically aware.

Strikers- Super Safee, Mr Professional, he gets the job done. Norshahrul, he's a quality player if given the chance the perfect striking partner to Safee, I would say he's our Berbatov-type of player. Abdul Hadi Yahya, the capable back up, when call upon. Ashaari Shamsuddin, this man can open up defense if you watch the Malaysian Super League and during the AFF Cup. From the Youth we have KingGopal and Professor Ong Kim Swee's favorite player Fakri Saarani, who they rate him highly. Along with Thamil Arasu and Ferris Danial not only talented but smart and creative players

Our Recent Problems

Center Back- They haven't been a problem during the later stages of the AFF Cup. But since the Taiwan Game our Malaysian Center Backs, talented but only lack maturity. Mohd Muslim a very promising player having his temperament getting in the way. Aidil Zafuan a key player, the leader of the back line, he is a good player, but at times the pressure gets the best of him. If he learns to be calmer and a little bit relaxed he can be the key center back. I would love to see is Subramaniam introduced in the Malaysian Squad, inducted into 2010/2011 Team of the Season. This no-nonsense monster of a center back should be given the chance for upcoming internationals and AFC 2015 Asian Cup Qualifications. He and Aidil would make an intimidating pair at the back.

Full Back- Mahali, is a good player during the AFF Cup, no doubt. But recent performance he faded defensively. Still at 22 there is still room for improvement.  Other than that we don't really have good fullbacks, always depending our wingers to do the defensive work for them, which leaves no one to help out counter attacking play. Hopefully Malaysia can find a full backs that does their defensive and attacking duties.

Defensive Midfielder- Amar is the only one comes to mind. He is good, but no good enough. Doesn't control the midfield well. There is room to improve for this 24 year old Defensive Midfielder. Coming Thru the ranks is Sivanesan a good Defensive midfielder with a great engine, but only lacks the tactical awareness needed for the position. Azidan Sarudin, tactically good but lacks the stamina. If all these players improve their weakness. We won't have to be worried about the position.

Creative Midfielder- Before this was Amri Yahya. Now we rely on  Captain Safiq Rahim, a overall a good player, great at dead ball situation, great presences. He's improving his stamina. Only real weakness is composure. He deals with that, he can keep the ball rolling  across the midfield starting attacks for the wingers and strikers. One to look at for the under 23 squad is Gary Steven Robbat, 18 of age. I believe this man can be our Yaya Toure/ Jack Wilshere/ Paul Scholes type of player . A great long ball passer and intimidating presences. Gary at times does create silly little mistakes, he is still young has a lot of room to improve. By the next AFF, Olympic Qualifications, and AFC Qualifiers. He will be a key player for Malaysia long term. Just Imagine him and Safiq at the center of midfield.

My hopefully Malaysian Squad of 23 by 2013

Khairul Fahmi(GK, 24 years old)

Mahali (Right Back, 24 years old) Aidil Zafuan (Center Back, 25), Subra (Center Back, 27), Left Back vacant

Sivanesan (Defensive Midfielder, 24)

  Gray Steven Robbat (Midfielder, 20) Safiq Rahim (C, Midfield, 27)

Wan Zack (Winger, 22) Kunalan (Winger, 26)

Safee (Striker, 29)

Subs: Fazali Marlias(GK), Zamir Selamat(GK), Mohd Muslim, Fadhli Mohd Shas, Farisham Ismail, Mohd Irfan Fazail, Norshahrul, Fakri Saarani, Thamil Arasu, Gurusamy, Joseph Kalang Tie, Affizie Faisal Mamat

Harimau Malaysia, the past one year was just the tip of an iceberg. The future is yours for the taking, so keep on improving!

Note ends.

May I say myself. A lot has changed since then.

Loving that Gary Steven Robbat is developing quite nicely for us.

Again I wrote that in July 2011. Hahaha