The Star Online: Nation
The Star Online: Nation |
- Fighting Malaysia hold Singapore to a draw but out of World Cup qualifiers
- Harimau Malaya fans pack National Stadium for World Cup qualifier
- Online system allows all police stations to accept accident reports says deputy IGP Khalid
| Fighting Malaysia hold Singapore to a draw but out of World Cup qualifiers Posted: 28 Jul 2011 08:19 AM PDT KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia tried valiantly but still came up short when it mattered most. And the chance to make history evaporated when they could only hold Singapore to a 1-1 draw in the return leg of their Asian Zone World Cup second round qualifiers at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil Thursday. Singapore, who won the first-leg tie 5-3 at the Jalan Bandar Stadium last Saturday, thus qualified for the third round on 6-4 aggregate. It also dashed Malaysia's hopes of progressing beyond the second round for the first time since they began competing in the qualifying rounds in 1974. Malaysia needed to win last night's clash by two clear goals and, for a while, there was a glimmer of hope when Safee Sali cracked in the first goal in the 58th minute. But the 90,000-odd capacity crowd at the stadium was silenced when Shia Jiayi equalised in the 73rd minute. To make matters worse, substitute striker Ahmad Fakrani Saarani was sent off for a second bookable offence in stoppage time. Special praise must also go to goalkeeper Khairul Fahmi Che Mat for keeping Malaysia in the game with his remarkable saves. Singapore, powered by their five naturailsed players, were simply too strong for Malaysian coach Datuk K. Rajagopal's young side, whose target is to qualify on merit for the 2015 Asian Cup. Singapore were hardly threatened in the opening half and it was the home team who looked vulnerable at the back, with their sloppy defending. It was left to Khairul to save Malaysia the blushes with three brilliant saves. Malaysia failed to show any urgency and could barely muster a decent shot at goal, with Safee well contained by a steady Singapore defence led by Muhd Safuwan Baharudin and Shaiful Esah. Safee's partner-in-crime, Abdul Hadi Yahaya, was barely in the game. The gaping hole left in the engine room due to Safiq Rahim's absence through suspension and the 23rd-minute exit of centre-back Mohd Aidil Zafuan with an ankle injury added to Malaysia's woes. Singapore began strongly, coming close twice through flankers Qiu Li and Jiayi. The duo were simply irresistible, easily breaching the Malaysian defence in the 10th and 15th minutes but both times found Khairul unbeatable with point-blank attempts. Khairul then had to dive full length to stop Shaiful Esah's free kick from sneaking in at the top corner in the 40th minute. Singapore looked more composed with their neat passing game while Malaysia only threatened in patches and were no threat to the Lions' goalkeeper Mohd Izwan Mahbud. Referee Takayama Hiroyoshi of Japan stopped play at the half-hour mark when Singapore goalkeeper Mohd Izwan complained of a laser being beamed at his face. An announcement was made through the PA system that the game would be called off if the fans continued with such acts. Malaysia began the second half in offensive mode and their persistence paid off when Safee found the net with a powerful shot from inside the box, beating the outstretched Mohd Izwan in the 58th minute. The goal was orchestrated by the tireless Kunalan, who squeezed his little body between two Singapore defenders to put Safee through. And the prolific striker's crack at goal sent the 90,000 fans into a frenzy. It was now 1-0 in Malaysia's favour but Singapore were ahead 4-5 on aggregate. Ahmad Fakri came on for the ineffective Abdul Hadi in the 65th minute but it did not matter when the Malaysian backline cracked in the 73rd minute as Jiayi sneaked past two defenders to beat Khairul from close range. Even the staunchest Malaysian fan knew then that the road to the 2014 World Cup in Brazil was all over. Malaysia: Khairul Fahmi Che Mat, Mahalli Jasuli, Mohd Asraruddin Putra, Mohd Aidil Zafuan Abdul Razak (Mohd Muslim Ahmad), Mohd Fadhli Shas, Amar Rohidan, Ismail Faruqi (K. Gurusamy), S. Kunalan, Mohd Amirulhadi Zainal, Mohd Safee Sali, Abdul Hadi Yahaya (Ahmad Fakri Saarani). Singapore: Mohd Izwan Mahbud, Daniel Bennett, Mohd Safuwan Baharudin, Shaiful Esah (Mohd Isa Abdul Halim), Harris Harun, Shi Jiayi, Qiu Li, Mustafic Fahrudin, Aleksander Duric, Shahril Ishak (Fazrul Nawaz), Juma'at Jantan. Full Feed Generated by Get Full RSS, sponsored by Used Car Search. |
| Harimau Malaya fans pack National Stadium for World Cup qualifier Posted: 28 Jul 2011 04:39 AM PDT BUKIT JALIL: Thousands of Harimau Malaya fans decked in the team colours of yellow and black are now at National Stadium Bukit Jalil to watch the return-leg of the Asian Zone World Cup between Malaysia and Singapore. Fans waved the national flags, continuously sang and cheered for the national team as they waited for the kick-off at 8.45pm. Many fans said they had arrived early as they expected the national team to win. Nobody entertained any thought of defeat tonight. Singapore beat Malaysia 5-3 in the first-leg. For the record, Malaysia began competing in the World Cup qualifying rounds in 1974 and after 10 attempts, have never progressed beyond the second round. The sold out match is live on Astro Arena. The Harimau Malaya got an inkling of the support they would receive when they came out to warm up - thunderous applause greeted them. Malaysian fan and student Ariane Yasmin Middleton said she left home as early as 2pm to make sure that she would arrive at the match. "My brothers and I left home early to avoid the traffic," she told The Star. She predicted that Harimau Malaya would be able to beat Singapore in tonight's game. "We are only behind by two goals. It should be no problem," she said. Senior manager Khairul Imran Adnan, 49, said he took the day off just for the game. "I believe they will perform better in Kuala Lumpur. "Our team has more stamina and I hope they will win tonight," he noted Related Stories: |
| Online system allows all police stations to accept accident reports says deputy IGP Khalid Posted: 28 Jul 2011 02:29 AM PDT GENTING: From November, police stations nationwide would be linked to the online Police Reporting System, which would allow motorists involved in accidents to lodge reports at any police station. Deputy Inspector General of Police Datuk Seri Khalid Abu Bakar said with the new system, general policemen at any police stations can conduct the initial investigation. "They can take down the accident particulars, snap photographs of the damaged vehicle and other necessary records before submitting it online," he said, adding the new initiatives would greatly improve their delivery system. Khalid said motorist would be able to apply for photographs and sketches of where and how the accident took place via online and choose the preferred police station they wish to collect documents from. Khalid explained that currently all police stations can accept police reports on traffic matters and accidents, but this was done manually and the hard copy was either sent or faxed to the respective traffic police centre before investigations commenced. Khalid said this after witnessing the closing ceremony of the three-day Traffic Police Investigation Application Workshop in Genting Highlands Thursday. The workshop saw 32 state and senior traffic police chiefs attending the brainstorming event to improve the traffic police investigation and delivery system. Full Feed Generated by Get Full RSS, sponsored by Used Car Search. |
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