In conjunction with the FIFA World Cup 2010

11.6.2010

FIFA World Cup 2010

(# denotes FIFA ranking as per 24^th May 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)

Tuesday, 30 March 2010 17:39 History - Biography

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Mokhtar Dahari (13 November 1953 – 11 July 1991) was a Malaysian football player from Setapak, Selangor (now Kuala Lumpur). He was one of the best players in Asia in the 1970s.

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.

In 1975, he represented the Malaysia national football team against English giantsArsenal F.C.. Malaysia national football team won the game 2–0, with Mokhtar scoring both goals. After the game, Mokhtar was rumoured to have been offered a chance to play for the Gunners. He also famously scored a goal in a 1–1 draw against England national football team's B team in 1978, dribbling past half of the opposing team coached by Bobby Robson. Paul Mariner was on the scoresheet for England that day.

He won his 100th cap for Malaysia national football team when he played in a Merdeka Football Tournament match against Japan national football team in 1976. This number 10 of Selangor FA also had a friendly game against another number 10, Diego Maradona's Boca Juniors of Argentina in January 1982. The match ended with a 2-1 result; won by Boca Juniors of Argentina.

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.