HM v HM

Harimau Muda versus Harian Metro. Oh well this heading has no bearing whatsoever with this posting.

Harian Metro's revelation under the heading Raja Lawak di Slovakia has drawn a lot of response especially in the cyberworld. Read http://www.hmetro.com.my/myMetro/articles/RajaLawakdiSlovakia/Article.

My take is, it's a case of FA of Malaysia (FAM) not really understanding the subject matter, thus the failure to convey the message that Harimau Muda's participation in the Slovakian League 1, which is the second-tier of the league, is competitive in nature despite the fact the games are not officially recognised in the league.

Read the NST report

By Devinder Singh

THE national Under-21 team will gain valuable exposure in Slovakia even if they are only playing friendly matches on their three-month long stint in the east European country. FA of Malaysia (FAM) deputy president Datuk Seri Redzuan Sheikh Ahmad defended FAM's decision to send the team to Slovakia as the best under the present circumstances.

"After what happened to the team, from the rejection by the state FAs on the team's participation in the Super League to being denied a place in the Singapore S-League, we had to do something.

"We could not just have the team hanging around here or we would come in for criticism but it seems no matter what we do, we are criticised.

"When we approached the Slovakia FA, who we have very good relations with, they accepted our proposal to play Slovak clubs with a few conditions.

"While it would have been great to win the (second-tier) Slovak League, it would have been impossible to do it halfway through with 14 matches left and we had to be realistic.

"We were not able to get what we wanted but to play 14 matches against Slovak clubs and another three international Under-21 friendly matches against Slovakia's neighbouring countries in three months is fantastic," said Redzuan yesterday.

Before the team's departure to Slovakia, FAM claimed that Azraai Khor Abdullah's under-21 side would play competitive matches, giving the impression they would actually be playing in the league.

Instead, the two games the Young Tigers have played so far against Slovak First League (second-tier) clubs MFK Ruzemberok B and Slovak Dusla Sala were nothing more than friendly matches.

FAM said the teams playing against Young Tigers would be awarded three points for a win as an incentive to field strong sides against the Malaysians, but this is not the case as shown in the current league standings on www.futbalsfk.sz, the Slovakia FA's official website.

To further confuse the situation, Young Tigers are playing friendly matches against reserve sides of top-flight clubs in between their "competitive" friendly matches.

"Maybe there has been a misunderstanding over what the team are doing in Slovakia.

"It was clear we were going there in the middle of the league so it would have been impossible to actually play in the league.

"But you have to look at the intention of the trip which is to provide exposure for the national under-21 team in playing European clubs and under-21 international teams.

"Under the circumstances, this is the best we could do. It is not the best solution of course, but we know what we are doing," said Redzuan.

On why FAM insisted all along that the team would be playing "competitive" matches in Slovakia instead of friendly games, Redzuan referred the question to the FAM secretariat.

"I do not know the contents of the agreement signed with Slovak Union of League Clubs. That, you would have to ask the secretary-general."

FAM secretary-general Datuk Azzuddin Ahmad is in Slovakia and could not be reached for comment.

Read the Kosmo report

PRESIDEN Persatuan Bola Sepak Malaysia (FAM), Sultan Ahmad Shah murka dengan dakwaan sebuah akhbar tabloid tempatan kelmarin yang mengatakan skuad bawah 21 tahun (B-21) negara di Slovakia telah 'kena main' majikan sendiri.

Setiausaha Agung FAM, Datuk Azzuddin Ahmad berkata, baginda menganggap laporan yang bersifat 'sensasi' itu langsung tidak mendatangkan faedah kepada perkembangan bola sepak negara.

"Mengikut apa yang dititahkan Tuanku, baginda nampaknya murka dengan laporan berita tersebut kerana ia mungkin akan menjejaskan moral dan semangat pemain-pemain B-21 negara yang berada di Slovakia ketika ini.

"Apabila saya pulang ke tanah air nanti, saya akan memohon penjelasan daripada pihak akhbar terbabit dan jika ia tidak memuaskan, Tuanku mahu kita (FAM) mengambil tindakan undang-undang," kata Azzuddin yang kini berada di Slovakia.

Isu tersebut timbul apabila dua perlawanan awal skuad B-21 negara menentang pasukan Liga Divisyen Dua Slovakia, Liga I iaitu Slovan Duslo Sala dan MFK Ruzomberok sebenarnya hanyalah berstatus aksi persahabatan.

Ia jelas bertentangan dengan apa yang diberitahu pihak FAM sebelum ini yang menyatakan semua 14 perlawanan yang disediakan buat skuad B-21 negara itu dikira sebagai aksi kompetitif dalam liga tersebut.

Biarpun demikian, Azzuddin tetap menganggap akhbar tabloid tersebut tidak memahami tujuan asal FAM menghantar skuad pelapis negara itu ke Slovakia untuk tempoh tiga bulan sehingga penghujung Mei depan.

"Apa yang saya boleh komen dengan laporan seperti itu. Ia dengan sendirinya mendedahkan mutu atau tahap profesionalisme penulis itu sendiri.

"FAM tidak ada masa untuk melayan laporan-laporan seperti ini yang tidak memberi apa-apa faedah kepada pembangunan bola sepak negara.

"Tugas FAM ialah menyediakan pasukan bola sepak kebangsaan," kata Azzuddin menerusi khidmat pesanan ringkas (SMS) kepada Kosmo! semalam.

Azzuddin turut memohon pihak media tempatan supaya memberi sokongan kepada pasukan skuad B-21 negara itu dan bukan sebaliknya.

"Mereka (skuad B-21 negara) pergi ke Slovakia ini bukanlah untuk menjadi juara Liga Slovakia. Itulah yang pihak akhbar berkenaan tidak faham," tambah Azzuddin.

Sementara itu, laman sosial facebook Harimau Muda yang sebelum ini kerap mengemaskini status terbaru pasukan dari Slovakia setiap hari telah mengambil pendekatan 'tutup mulut' selepas laporan berita tersebut keluar.

"Pihak Harimau Muda mengambil pendekatan untuk tidak membuat sebarang komen berhubung status kami di Slovakia.

"Apa pun matlamatnya, kami di sini untuk mendapatkan pendedahan di peringkat yang kompetitif di samping memantapkan diri dan pasukan untuk cabaran yang akan datang.

"Hasil yang diperoleh dari sini akan kami gunakan sebaiknya demi memartabatkan sukan bola sepak negara," kata satu status di laman facebook berkenaan yang dikendalikan jurulatihnya, Azraai Khor Abdullah dan penolong jurulatih, Azman Eusoff.