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Last weekend, I was asked by Ruhani Rabin who was invited by Maxis, to participate in an interview session with Dato’ Soh Chin Aun, Santokh Singh, Hassan Sani & “King” James Wong. Now, I’m sure many of you will be asking who these people are. Well, they are legends of Malaysian football. I bet you didn’t know Malaysia once qualified for the Olympics and was only 1 game away from qualifying for the 1982 World Cup in Spain! Back then, these 4 legends were in the much-feared Malaysian team back then that made all Malaysians proud . Unfortunately, that was our best team and best chance of us qualifying for the World Cup and after losing in that final qualifying round, it was all down hill for Malaysian football.

Santokh Singh & Soh Chin Aun

During the interview, I asked them what they thought of the current state of Malaysian football. Sadly, all of them agreed, it’s not up to par with the rest of the world simply because of politics in the local football scene which hinders the growth of Malaysian football. They also said that no one in the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) have approach them to help out in grass root development, which comes as a surprise to me considering what these guys have accomplished in their careers and what they can bring to the table. They mentioned that they were saddened because they felt “unwanted” despite contributing so much to the team and country. It became a bit emotional at one point during the interview.

Still got it! - Hassan Sani showing off his ball balancing skills

Gone were the days that you see supporters come in their team jerseys and fill the local stadiums to the brim. I myself used to be a Selangor FC fan, not a hardcore one but still I remember the time I used to follow local football when I was younger but not any longer. So what changed? According to them, it’s simply the lack of quality of the players today that made everyone distant themselves from local football. They rather watch the BPL who plays “sexy” fluid football than to watch the locals players play like a bunch of high school kids.

To me, I think we need role models like them to show the younger players what does it take to win matches and to play well. The current squad still lacks that special something despite being the current SEA Games champions. Perhaps one day these legends will play a role in development and share their knowledge and experience which might make a difference to the current squad and country.

L-R": “King” James Wong, Santokh Singh, Dato’ Soh Chin Aun & Hassan Sani

It was really an honor and privilege for me to be able to meet them and what more interview them. Thanks Maxis for giving me that opportunity.

[post updated: 20 August 2009]

I was in Singapore last Sunday to catch Liverpool FC vs the Singapore national team. Thanks to Kevin who got me the all expenses paid trip there. Although it was a rush thing, it was really quite an experience.

proud to be part of the entourage..

There were a total of 5 busses of Liverpool fans from KL with the labels  “The Red Entourage Tour” on the sides and front of the bus. There were also a bus each from Ipoh and Malacca, which we met up later in Singapore. We departed from Bukit Jalil on Sunday morning around 915AM. We stopped by a KFC outlet along the way for lunch which we redeemed with our given voucher. Voucher entitles you to an X-Meal…not too bad I must say. But by then, I kinda regretted having a little too much Dim Sum before we boarded the bus.

The journey took a little longer than expected because we made a few stops along the way. Mainly because, as part of an “entourage” all the busses have to stick together. So we met up at highway rest areas for “toilet breaks” and “beer breaks”. Yes…beer breaks..there were a few cartons of beer on board the bus in a cooler…how convenient. The organizers kept telling us, we have to finish the beer as we are not allowed to bring in alcohol upon reaching the checkpoint. So…you can see a few uncles and aunties drinking beer in the middle of the highway rest area in the afternoon. It’s quite a funny sight as the elder crowd kept asking us to drink up and don’t waste beer!

The auntie that can’t wait to drink..

Once we reached our hotel, which by the way was a Parkroyal hotel, we were given time to freshen up and rest, before coming down for high-tea. You see, the game starts at 730PM, so it seems a little illogical to be providing dinner. Very good compromise I must say. Well, being Carlsberg, what’s high-tea without free-flow of beer?!! Kevin and I had 2 bottles each during high tea but when we wanted to get our third…they ran out! Kevin jokingly said..”this is a Carlsberg event…how can they run out of beer!” Oh well, I guess the didn’t expect people like us there…haha!

free flow beer always makes me happy!

After high-tea, we were given our tickets for the game..

Oh..noticed the ticket says: “Grandstand Lower”? It means we’re really really close to the players. In fact, we were so close, one diehard girl fan wanted to give one of the players a present. Obviously she was being ignored, but it was fun to see how she begged (yes she really begged Xabi Alonso to take her gift!).

Calrsberg girls posed when we took out our cameras

The following are pictures of the stadium and during the match.

Reina warming up..

warming up during half time

the man everyone came to see…Fernando Torres

The atmosphere was electrifying. If you close your eyes for a moment during the anthem “You’ll Never Walk Alone”, and during all the classic Kop chants, I swear you will feel like you’re in Anfield. The match ended with Liverpool thrashing the Singapore national team 5-0. Honestly I’m quite surprised with the score line because I always thought they were a better than the Malaysian national team who managed to play well although they lost (3-2) to Manchester United because of a late goal. Maybe its a sign that Malaysian football is improving..

the scoreboard says it all

We headed for supper (and a few more drinks) after the match and call it a night. The next day, we had an awesome hotel buffet breakfast, and then headed home. Thanks Kevin for letting me with you on this once in a lifetime experience and thanks Carlsberg Malaysia for organizing such an awesome event.

*Click here for more pictures

I got a call from Kevin yesterday afternoon and he told me that he had won some tickets to watch Liverpool FC play in Singapore and whether or not I’m interested to follow. Of course without hesitation I said “YES!”. For a chance to see Liverpool FC play?…anytime. It will be an all expenses paid trip…transport, accommodation and even meals will be covered by Carlsberg Malaysia.

However, there is a catch. It’s going to be a super rush trip…and super rush I mean that I’ll only be in Singapore for slightly more than 24 hours. I’ll be leaving on Sunday morning, and reaching SG by noon. The match is on the same night, so we’ll be staying over for a night before departing back home the next morning. Will be pretty tiring I guess…but hey..at least I get to see Liverpool play! YNWA!

It will be a memorable week for Liverpool fans around the world. After demolishing Real Madrid 4-0 in the Champions League at mid-week, Liverpool then went on to shut Man Utd fans up by humiliating them 4-1 in their own backyard at Old Trafford. Eight goals in two games against the Spanish and English champions is a remarkable achievement no matter what anyone says. It just goes to show, anything can happen in football, and that nothing is absolutely certain until the final whistle.

Sure Man Utd are still top of the Premier League table, but this game really brought them down to earth in the most humiliating way possible and made them realized that they haven’t won it yet. For a Liverpool fan like me, sometimes it’s not so much about titles, but more about pride, and beating them TWICE this season always seem sweeter as it will shut the arrogance off Man Utd fans are known for (at least temporarily). You won’t believe how many Chelsea, Arsenal and non Man Utd fans congratulated me after the game. Haha!

Thanks Liverpool for capping off a great week. “You’ll Never Walk Alone”..indeed!

Picture source from Sky Sports UK

Euro 2008 is here! Football fanatics (like me) once again will arrive to the office with eyebags and lack of sleep. I’m rooting for Portugal as I did in the previous World Cup. They’re one of the favourites to win the tournament…but then again…it’s always a toss-up between Germany and Italy isn’t it?

In commemoration with Euro 2008, I did an interview for my company’s blog. Click here to read my interview. Ok, I’m off to see Croatia vs. Austria now….