Hari Raya Aidiladha will come for another 2 days. So Lucky this time, I am on leave for that day, after several years working on Public Holiday. Oh, ha. I will have my interview for executive position this Thursday at PJ. Hope so this is my last interview for the next few years ahead.
Right, forget about it. Back to the topic. Lambat, tetapi masih belum terlewat. I would like to wish congratulation to Kelantan Football Team, or better known as The Red Warrior (TRW) for their victory to take home treble silverware this year; Super League Champion, FA Cup Winner and Malaysia Cup Winner. They were against all odds actually, by looking back through entire season, or maybe entire year.
1) Their coach, Peter Buttler was quit his position, instead he headed to Terengganu and now relieved from 6 month ban by his current management which was later found illegal. Bojan Hodak, who famously made his name in Malaysian football several years ago with TV3 MyTeam took over without looking back.
2) Their de facto Manager, Tan Sri Annuar Musa who was also among top, famous and favourite leader in FAM faced 30 months suspended for his comment on current national squad; the unfair punishment which made Malaysian Harimau Malaya supporters running riot and at one time, the Association's website has been hacked to show frustration.
3) Their fans, which has been known for their fanatically support before has change from bad to good. They even organized Solat Sunat Hajat (a pray perform by Muslim to asking help from Allah) at their stadium. But several supporters from other clubs labelled them as non-civilized people, which was very insulting. Maybe if this is an English Premier League, we can call it Racist and Racially Abused, the very unfair treat. For me myself, I found their supporters very nice and kind. There is one afternoon I had my lunch at one of TRW fan's stall with wearing Sarawak's jersey (later in that evening TRW faced Crocs). The owner not only kind to me. She and his son even make me feel like having my lunch at home. And guess what, the meal price is cheap, and the meal itself was delicious. Now I'm proudly told others that I'm a regular customer there.
4) Step in to the Final Match without their 2 prolific players; the controversial Lebanese striker Mohammad Gaddhar and in-form attacking midfielder Norfarhan. Instead, they still scored 3 goals through National Squad forward Norshahrul-idlan Talaha (Mat Yo) and former national midfielder Indra Putra Mahyuddin.
5) Despite took 3 major title, they still facing hard obstructions from several parties, in which I think that it was too much and unfair.
Dear Malaysian Football supporters, I have several question to you all. Why are we hate them? Why are we so sceptical to them? Even though we are not supporting them, just let it be. Their players were not different from other teams, their supporters' behaviour also now has changed. If you asking me myself, my answer is yes, I am not their supporter. But from the beginning to the end, I found personally they deserved all the titles. I even e-mailed to Sarawak Football Association to follow their good thing and implement it in the next season, from players selection, coaching staff, tactical and training and even the management as well. At least we must be proud as a truly Malaysian, the Malaysia Cup hasn't been shipping to Singapore through their team Lions XII.
But of course, my credit was also to ATM team. In their earlier stage, some people labelled them as "Garbage Squad" by looking to their 2/3 KUDA TUA (old-horse and got 3 unemployed while several others has seen their last year's contract dismissed). Yet, they still grab Pemier League Title and played in Final. And they are the team that make the Lions XII's dream shattered.
And for me myself, despite unable to go to the Shah Alam Stadium on that historical night, I still enjoyed the game through big screen in which I can say it was the best Final of Malaysia Cup I've ever watched.
Last but not least, Congratulation to TRW, and Respect to ATM.
MAJULAH SUKAN BOLA SEPAK UNTUK KEDAI MAMAK!!! (Dah kalau ada game bola je, mesti penuh kedai mamak. Kaya diorang tau!!!)
