Football Team's Vientiane Debacle A Shame To The Country - NSC
From Zulhilmi Supaat
VIENTIANE, Dec 7 (Bernama) -- National Sports Council (NSC) director-general Datuk Zolkples Embong described the action of the men's football team to manhandle match officials after their 1-3 loss to Vietnam, as a disgrace to the country.
He added that the reason offered by head coach K. Rajagobal that the incident was triggered by bias and controversial decisions made by the referee against Malaysia, cannot be accepted.
"To me, the referee was fair and indeed a number of decisions made by him favoured the Malaysian team," said Zolkples who was among those who watched the match on Sunday.
In the match held at the Main Stadium of the Laos National Sports Complex, Malaysia lost 1-3 to Vietnam, a result that put Malaysian semifinal hopes on tender hooks.
When South Korean referee Kim Jong Hyeok blew the final whistle, some of the Malaysian players charged at the referee to register their protest after the South Korean had dismissed substitute Mohd Zaquan Adha Abd Radzak for a second bookable offence.
Players had also retorted to throwing water bottles aimlessly at the match official before security officials from Laos intervened and prevented the situation from getting out of hand.
Zolkples also blamed all the Malaysian team officials for further provoking the players, with the exception of Tan Cheng Hoe (coach) who sat calm on the bench.
He added that Malaysia should have just accepted the result because the Vietnam players played better as they were fitter and faster.
"From my observation, our players played below their capabilities and paid too much respect to their opponent," he said.
U23 Malaysia's chance is still ahead. Loosing a game (U23 Vietnam) after a vortex win (U23 East Timor) is not an ending. Malaysian have two games to take part in semi final, so they need to win the rest. For sure that Malay will have 3 points easily today and in the last match, beating Thai with whatever score, Malay will follow VNmese...
About their last match, I think the referee was right when he decided a penalty. It was a bit hush for the last situation for Malay (red card). The rest was okay.
I fully agree with comments made by Mr. Datuk Zolkples Embong. These need to be analyzed carefully if this Malaysian young team needs to proceed further.
I understand that many Malaysian fans awaited a much better result. I also understand that Malaysian were over-confident then easily lost the game when they faced a real challenge from Vietnam side. Therefore, loosing temper at the end of the match should be sympathized though it would be greater if the problem were controlled timely.
No matter what has happenned and what will happen, what Malaysian team needs to do is to focus on the next match against Thailand. If you win, you will get back the hope, the support and the respect that you should have and deserve.
Once again, wish you all the best, Malaysian boys !
msia have beaten thailand on numerous occasion before. eventhough thai has won 8 golds medal in a row, the thai team of late is not that invincible. they have been beaten by the likes of indon, spore and viet before.
viet has a very good team to win the most coveted medal this time.
me, the referee was fair and indeed a number of decisions made by him favoured the Malaysian team," said Zolkples who was among those who watched the match on Sunday. very good
