11.6.2010
FIFA World Cup 2010
In the spirit of FIFA World Cup, we Malaysians (#147), can only contribute by sucking up all the World Cup merchandise and memorabilia by paying exorbitant prices and rejoicing by seeing other teams which were below or at most at par with us showing their prowl at world football rankings. South Korea (#47), who were our archrivals in the 1970s at our Merdeka tournaments, have consistently represented Asia in eight World Cups and even emerged semifinalists in 2002 when they co-hosted the finals with Japan (#45), who were many rungs below us in the 1970s. What can we do but stare blankly into the sky and blame everybody else (except ourselves) whilst others leap by bounds over the moon! We (the dumb cows) can run with the spoon. And you can reminisce about the fine Malaysian footballers of yesteryear. Maxis, in their effort to promote their 3G phones for viewing soccer matches, are capitalising on this sentiment to boost their profits.
Have a look at our compatriots in the Merdeka tournament. See where they are now, while our royalties and politicians run the soccer bodies just as they run their households. Just look at the Kelantan royalty and our learned politician from Kinabatangan Bung (Dung) Moktar Radin and the mess he is in with polygamy and his mid-life crisis (he should try running instead, but he must be worried about his complexion after all the facial treatments and rejuvenations! UV light in the sun may be damaging and his trophy wife might just abscond!).
Australia #20 | Tunisia#55 | Oman#91 | Singapore#127 | Myanmar #147 |
Algeria#30 | Iran#61 | Kuwait#97 | India#133 | Bangladesh#160 |
Ghana#32 | Saudi Arabia#66 | UAE#100 | Indonesia#137 | Nepal#161 |
Japan#45 | Iraq#80 | Thailand#106 | Hong Kong#139 | Philippines#170 |
SouthKorea#47 | China#84 | Vietnam#117 | Malaysia#146 | Laos #174 |
We can only dream about the dreams we had and the glory of yesteryear.
We can think about… (list is by no means exhaustive)
- Spider R. Arumugam, the best Asian goalkeeper;
- Chow Chee Keong, Malaysian bred, in the Hong Kong league;
- Soh Chin Aun, the Datuk defender;
- Santokh Singh, the cool Singh;
- M. Chandran, the composed Malaysian Captain;
- Shahruddin Abdullah;
- Jamal Nasir;
- Reduan Abdullah;
- Namat Abdullah;
- Abdullah Ali;
- Ali Bakar;
- Bakri Ibni, who gave a curved banana kick from the corner post;
- Isa Bakar, a hard worker;
- Hassan Sani, the typhoon from Sabah;
- James Wong, aka King James;
- And of cours,e the legendary Super Mokh, Mokhtar Dahari!
Read all about it and cry….
Mokhtar Dahari : Malaysian football player (1953 - 1991)
Born in Setapak, Mokhtar Dahari showed interest in playing football at an early age. He played for his school and later for his home state, Selangor FA. He was only 19 years-old when he first played for the Malaysia national football team in an international game. Mokhtar helped Selangor FA win the Malaysia Cup 10 times and scored 177 goals altogether. In international games, he helped the Malaysia national football team score a total of 125 goals in 167 caps. He was the best striker in Malaysia. His first game for Malaysia national football team was against Sri Lanka national football team in 1972.
The Merdeka Stadium was his second home. Roars of "Supermokh" was all over the crowds including the young generation who tried to imitate his move.
Along with goalkeeper R Arumugam, defenders Santokh Singh and Soh Chin Aun, midfielders Reduan Abdullah and Shukor Salleh and Mokhtar's partner upfront Isa Bakar, Mokhtar Dahari's Selangor FA and Malaysia national football team were powerful forces in the '70s.
Along with goalkeeper R Arumugam, defenders Santokh Singh and Soh Chin Aun, midfielders Reduan Abdullah and Shukor Salleh and Mokhtar's partner upfront Isa Bakar, Mokhtar Dahari's Selangor FA and Malaysia national football team were powerful forces in the '70s.
Mokhtar Dahari retired in May 1986 after winning the Malaysia Cup for Selangor FA and himself the man of the match. He also gave his number 10 jersey to Raja Muda Selangor. He came out of retirement in January 1987 to play one more season for Selangor FA.
In January 1988, he joined Kwong Yik Bank and won the Selangor League that year.
Mokhtar died at age 37 years-old of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis at Subang Jaya Medical Centre (SJMC) at 8:25 am on 11 July 1991. His body was laid to rest at Bukit Permai, Taman Keramat Permai Muslim Cemetery.
Anneh,
ReplyDeleteWe are in par with Myanmar. Too bad.
Mokthar died at early age... why???
I saw Diego Maradona during Argentina game , He looks the same wityh his masculine body. I use to ask you , how he can football when he is so fat. Your reply... he is masculine not fat.
ReplyDeleteActually, Maradona was so agile with the ball because of his short physique and low centre of gravity. The Maradona that you are seeing the result of medical miracle! After years of neglect, he became so obese and I think he had a heart attack that his doctors decided to perform a gastric bypass surgery to help in weight reduction and health. It is amazing how, with comfort of life, a dedicated sportsman can go off course.
ReplyDeleteMokhtar Dahari succumbed to a rare nerve disease where the nerve tissue in the spinal cord degenerates (dies), leaving the sufferer progressively paralysed and when the level affects the area that supplies the respiratory centre, he will need ventilator and then it is downhil... No treatment available even now.