PARLIAMENT | The national football squad Harimau Malaya was too tired after playing a slew of both friendly and local league matches last month.
This was the reason for the humiliating 0-10 loss to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in the World Cup and Asia Cup qualifiers on Sept 9, the government said.
The Youth and Sports Ministry said this in a written parliamentary reply to G Manivanan (PKR-Kapar)
(photo)
yesterday.
"Several weaknesses were identified. Among others, fitness level was low during the 0-10 defeat against UAE due to tight schedules, including international friendly matches.
"Several top players like Junior Eldstal and Joseph Kalang Tie were also not fielded for the match due to injuries," the ministry said.
It added that the line-up is chosen by the coach, who is appointed by the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM).
"The ministry has no power to decide on this," it said.
Plans to blacklist hooligans
Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin had mulled disbanding FAM following the thrashing.
National coach Dollah Salleh (
photo
) resigned immediately after the match, which pushed Malaysia's ranking to 171 in the world.
FAM president Tengku Abdullah Ahmad Shah said he will resign from his post if the Harimau Malaya squad's performance worsens.
Harimau Malaya will face UAE again on Nov 17 for the next World Cup qualifier on home ground, but this time without spectators.
This was part of Fifa's penalty against FAM , after Malaysian fans disrupted the World Cup qualifier in Selangor, against Saudi Arabia on Sept 8.
Spectators launched flares and fireworks onto the pitch, prompting both teams to flee.
FAM was also fined US$41,203 (RM175,792.10) and issued a warning.
The ministry, in the written reply, said it was mulling mandating spectators to declare their names and identity card numbers before tickets can be issued.
"This is so hooligans can be identified," it said.
It also proposed that FAM work with the police to blacklist spectators who have a record of gangsterism from matches.
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