28th of May 2006 will witness the melting point of the battle of survival between Malaysia, which ranked 124th in the world, against MyTeam. Did I said MyTeam? Yup, the team which has been shaped, moulded and managed by Malaysia’s hidden secrets in football business. Architected by two best friends Jason Lo and Khairy Jamaluddin and engineered by Malaysia’s renowned sports critic, Shebby Singh. There are surely one hell of an ingredient.
“Two friends with a passion for football. That’s how it all started. Jason Lo and Khairy Jamaluddin set together discussing their favorite topic, football one day when they came up with an idea. That idea was called MyTEAM, a search for the countries best hidden football talents and pitting them against the Malaysian national team. FAM have accepted the challenge. It will be a challenge they will never forget.”
MyTeam is an opportunity. MyTeam is putting FAM’s integrity on the line. It is the survival of the fittest. Winners take all. MyTeam encompass the best untapped amateur footballer in Malaysia. Analogically, it’s the search for the next Mawi on the field. This kind of thing has been awaited for so long by many eager football enthusiasts, like me. This is the chance where we can express our anger, disappointment, and lost of hope towards Malaysia football scene – via the establishment of MyTeam, which surely play on our side. FAM should seriously take a very high note and should be aware that MyTeam is not merely a team to be taken easily. Yes, on paper, MyTeam is nobody compared to Malaysia team, which comprising of players who play in the million dollar Super League, a league worth to die for (sigh).
If we look at the physique and stamina of these amateur untapped geniuses, there are nowhere compared to bigman stamina kuda Malaysia players. Super League players are accustomed to have that traits – high stamina and big mighty physique. MyTeam is quite unknown as they are still under construction while Malaysian national side is already packed with professional players. While My Team is mostly amateurs, won't it be bad for Malaysian football to lose to an amateur team?
But for me, it’s not down to physique or tactics at the showdown. In fact, it’s a mental thing. Both team can win the game. FAM has to be really aware of possibilities.
How MyTeam can win the match? Here are some of my humble advices.
It is very difficult to play in such a tense and pressure atmosphere there in the crowded Bukit Jalil stadium.. You can be too excited and start thinking 'Oh my God, I'm playing in a one and only and the biggest showdown in Malaysia’s football history'. The main thing for the MyTeam players is concentration. You need to be thinking one or two seconds earlier than your opponent.
MyTeam must be careful about the start of the game tonight and try to play safe early on because early mistakes will cost us the pride. Remember, it is the game worth to die for. It is the chance to show those clowns in FAM that our national side is rubbish, the system is crap, etc etc and that'll give them a kick in the backside and improve Malaysian football as s whole. What i can’t stand is that those people in FAM actually thought that they have done the right/best things when loads of it is actually wrong. So, you guys carry a big responsibility on your shoulder!
And you should ask yourself, "How many times will I get that opportunity?"
No matter where you from, whether it’s from the rural areas of our “Kampungs” to the urban landscape of our cities, play with your heart. Play with joy and share the joy with the people. Good luck Jason Lo. Good luck Khairy Jamaluddin, Good luck MyTeam.
May you have the sway passing, kicking and picking up the ball and may the spirit of ginga and joga bonito will always with you. Remember, it’s not just about winning; it’s about regaining our pride.
8.11PM
Monday, 22nd May 2006
