No slip-ups

AFC UNDER-22: Players to make amends

Fandi Othman leads Malaysia’s fragile back-line.

MALAYSIA will be hoping to bounce back from Saturday's 3-2 defeat to South Korea in their opening Group G AFC Under-22 Qualifiers when they face the Philippines in what should be a straight forward win in Yangon today.

The team cannot afford another slip-up today as it will put a huge dent in their bid to qualify for the tournament proper next year.

Malaysia's fragile makeshift back-line, led by Fandi Othman, had a poor opening game and coach Ong Kim Swee is likely to start centre-back Fadhli Shas, who returns after serving a one-match suspension, to add stability.

Kim Swee could also opt to drop Portugal-bound Nazmi Faiz Mansor, who had a poor game on Saturday, and start Gary Steven Robbat, who shone as a substitute against the Koreans.

Malaysia cannot afford to take risks against the Philippines, who lost 5-1 to Myanmar in their opening match, as their rivals are also desperate for a win.

"We would have earned at least a point against Korea if our back-line were composed. We lost because of our own mistakes," said Kim Swee when contacted in Yangon yesterday.

"I am disappointed as we lost to an average Korean side. It is a result which I cannot accept especially after my players showed so much commitment."

"We cannot afford to make silly mistakes. It is best that we work on our weaknesses to get better."

On today's match against the Philippines, Kim Swee said his players are eager to make a huge impression.

"It is better that we shift our focus to the Philippines match as we need this win to re-ignite our ambition to qualify for the tournament proper.

"The Philippines are probably the weakest team in this competition but we must not take them lightly as a lot is at stake in this match," he said.

Malaysia need a win today to avoid complications in the tournament which has turned unpredictable after minnows Taiwan edged Vietnam 2-1.

"It is always unpredictable in age-group tournaments and we must not take any match for granted," Kim Swee added.

Korea will play Taiwan in their second match today while Myanmar will face Vietnam.

EURO 2012: France's latest bad boy

FOUL MOUTH: Nasri is newest member of Les Bleus making headlines for the wrong reasons


Samir Nasri earned the wrath of several of his teammates during the Euro campaign after having crossed swords with them.

PARIS: SAMIR Nasri's scene stealing departure from Euro 2012 added to the rich history of French footballers not doing things by halves when they want to express their disaffection with their lot.

From Nicolas Anelka in the 2010 World Cup -- one could say the whole squad -- to the volatile Eric Cantona in 1988 to Jean-Francois Larios prior to the 1982 World Cup the French have led the way in creating headlines for the front pages as well as back pages.

Nasri turns 25 today and may not have too many birthday cards or presents from his fellow French squad members after crossing swords with some of them during their ultimately stormy Euro 2012 campaign.

However, it is his foul-mouthed rant in the mixed zone after the 2-0 defeat to Spain in the quarter-finals that could push Laurent Blanc to send him into the international wilderness once more.

Ironically it was Blanc who recalled him after the 2010 World Cup having been left out of that squad by Raymond Domenech because he was deemed a disruptive influence.

"I did talk to Nasri about his comportment with the press but evidently the message didn't get through," said a visibly angry Blanc on Sunday the day after Nasri's outburst.

"It is not very good for Nasri's image and neither is it for the team's."

Nasri at least returned with the rest of the squad which was not the case for Anelka, whose expulsion after a slightly shorter foul mouthed outburst at hapless coach Raymond Domenech at half-time of the 2-0 defeat to Mexico in the group stage of the catastrophic World Cup finals campaign.

"Go **** yourself you dirty son of a whore!" screamed the striker, who had already acquired the nickname 'The Incredible Sulk' for his gloomy demeanour on and off the pitch.

But for the altercation appearing on the front page of L'Equipe -- leaked by a mole -- it is questionable given Domenech's lack of authority that Anelka would have been sent home but there was no choice with it being made public.

Most squads would have accepted this as a normal disciplinary measure against a player who had overstepped the mark but not this revolutionary group of players who then stayed on their team bus -- and refused to train.

"Going on strike was the decision of a group that felt isolated, that felt no one had protected it and that wanted to get a message across," said Hugo Lloris at the time and who was to be completely forgiven as Blanc named him captain.

"We went way too far. It was a clumsy decision, a big mistake. It was totally stupid."

While theirs was a collective decision Cantona's was typical of his unique theatrical temperament reacting to what he took as a personal slight.

The mercurial forward, then aged 22, took such offence at being dropped from the France squad by Henri Michel -- who had handed him his first cap -- that he called him a "bag of s***" -- a one-year ban ensued unsurprisingly.

Whilst Cantona's choice of words were not exactly going to win him any friends or influence within the federation they may have struck a chord with some other players, but Larios' offence would have not found much sympathy.

Both he and Michel Platini were key members of the France squad set to participate at the 1982 World Cup finals.

However, Larios, a star of the St Etienne side that dominated French football in the 1970s and early 1980s, had to be peremptorily sent home when allegations surfaced that he was having an affair with Platini's wife.

With Platini's star in the ascendant both on the pitch and in the dressing room Larios never represented his country again.

Sadly for France, Nasri has not followed Lloris' recent advice on how to turn the page post-2010.

"We need to get back to basics, respect for the jersey, for ourselves, our teammates and the institution that is the France team." AFP

SHOOTING: Relief for Nur Suryani

DONE DEAL: Pregnant shooter's husband leaves for London on July 25



Nur Suryani Mohd Taibi (left) shares a light moment with Malaysian Olympic contingent chef de mission Tun Ahmad Sarji Abdul Hamid at the National Sports Complex yesterday. Pic by Goh Thean Howe

OLYMPIC-bound pregnant shooter Nur Suryani Mohd Taibi can rest assured that her wish to see her husband Mazhasli Mhotar accompany her to the London Games will be realised.

Nur Suryani, when met after chef de mission Tun Ahmad Sarji Abdul Hamid visited her at the National Sports Complex yesterday, said the National Sports Council (NSC) had already booked tickets for the duo, giving her a big pre-Games boost.

"From what I understand, the NSC has already booked tickets for both of us, with me leaving on July 22 and my husband on the 25th," said Nur Suryani, who is seven-month pregnant.

"We will both be returning on July 31. I am very happy that he will be with me (in London)."

The 29-year-old added that her preparation for the Games was going well and she would be focusing on her mental preparation in the final weeks leading up to her event on July 28.

"For me, the physical aspect of training for the Games has been done and my focus is now on preparing myself mentally for the competition.

"There are a lot of external factors that can disrupt a shooter, such as the press there or even adapting to the Games village and I do not want to be caught off-guard."

Nur Suryani, however, downplayed her chances of winning a medal in London.

"Things are a little different for me now because of the pregnancy and even things like getting into a comfortable position takes a little more time than before.

"I do not want to burden myself by setting targets and will instead just focus on giving my best and hoping that things go well for me on the day."

Nur Suryani, who disclosed that she will be giving birth to a girl, will undergo two medical check-ups with specialists this week to ensure her involvement in the London Games will not be detrimental to her unborn child.

She will also go through a final routine check on Monday.

Saiful Apek freed of drug abuse charge

PETALING JAYA: Popular comedian Saiful Apek, who was charged with drug abuse two years ago, was freed without his defence being called by the magistrate's court yesterday.


Mohd Saifulazam Mohamed Yusoff, better known as Saiful Apek, giving thanks after being freed of a drug charge yesterday. Pic by Syarafiq Abd Samad

In an immediate reaction, the celebrity, whose real name is Mohd Saifulazam Mohamed Yusoff, said he had faith in the judiciary and thanked his fans for their support.

Saiful, 43, was charged in November last year, with three of his friends, for committing the offence at the Subang Jaya district police headquarters narcotics division a year earlier.

His friends, Shah Zainatull Ehsan Al-Muazam Shah Yahya, 29, Shaiful Baharom, 25, and Noremy Mohamad, 29 were also freed yesterday.

In his ruling, magistrate Ahmad Solihin Abd Wahid found there were contradictions in material evidence.

One of the issues was the contradiction on the discrepancies on the dates in the labelling on the urine sample containing the urine samples of Saiful Apek and Noremy.

The sample was also kept for a long time before it was sent to the Chemistry Department.

A total of eight witnesses testified for the prosecution.

Deputy public prosecutor Ahmad Ishrakh Saad said he would appeal against the decision.

Lawyers Mohd Fadhly Hashim and Zamri Idrus appeared for the four accused.

Saiful Apek, Shah Zainatull Ehsan, Shaiful and Noremy were charged under Section 15(1) of the Dangerous Drugs Act, which carries a maximum imprisonment for two years or RM5,000 fine upon conviction.