Update as on 19 Sep 2012 (Wed):
FA$ President Zainudin Nordin claims he is "very sorry" about this incident. But he will not be doing anything to appease fans such as offering FREE entry to the next Malaysia Cup match or refunding all bets placed with Singapore Pools on the match results. A check with Singapore Pools actually reveals that bets WILL be refunded if matches are abandoned.
FA$ President says sorry nia, sees no need to take any action
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After the match in which the LionsXII drew 0-0 with Johor FC on 14 Sep 2012 (Fri), kiasu coach Sundram was quoted in the press as saying:
“After 60 minutes, the attack died down because the players were tired. They have had too many back to back games.”
It seems that the coach discovered that after 60 minutes, his players were simply too tired or maybe had been smoking too much, so they stopped playing football and just passed the ball to one another without attacking. Eventually it resulted in a draw. But the last time I heard, football is actually a game played over 90 minutes, not 60 minutes.
Surprisingly, key defender Baihakki Khaizan spilled the beans on Friday night by saying the players were "just following orders", ie. they could still play football if they wanted to:
Also the Football Association of Singapore (FAS) has yet to apologize for the unsporting behaviour of its team of professional players. The FAS president Zainudin Nordin, also a Member of Parliament, was even quoted as saying "The less that is spoken of the match, the better". I wonder what our sports-related minister Teo Ser Luck thinks about this incident. He attended the London Olympics recently, so he should know something about fair play or sports ethics, right? Maybe he needs to check with Zainudin Nordin if he really uttered such a statement or are his words being "taken out of context"?!
(By the way, I still don't understand why politicians are tasked to head sports associations? Eg. Lee Bee Wah (table tennis), Lee Yi Shyan (badminton), etc. Shouldn't they spend more time interacting with their residents and let people with sports/community background lead the associations instead?)
I really can't imagine this is the pathetic state of Singapore football, after more than 10 years of a so-called professional football league. Jialat liao... Think got no cure.
Tell me if you think FAS should apologize.
[For coach's quote & background information, see below:]
http://www.goal.com/en-sg/news/3879/malaysia-cup/2012/09/15/3377365/lionsxii-coach-sundrams-message-to-the-fans-the-boys-will-be
Lastly, some well-meaning comments from a few cow-peh cow-bu fans:
The essence of sportsmanship which every father, mother or coach had ever imparted to his children and charges have all been thrown down the waterway.
If Johor chose not to play, there is no reason why Sundram's boys should follow into the Devil's Horn.
I am really ashamed to hear the infuriated fan hurling his contempt and major disappointment in his interview after the game.
It is only right if Sundram comes out and apologise. He can say he did his job to make the team progress into the QF, but his naivety in instructions is only a short term solution and not a long term one for success.
In this process, many many fans were hurt and may choose not to ever return to the next game. He does not see the consequences and in the interest of the Legacy of the Malaysia Cup, as well as football, he chose to undermine it's principle foundation of providing entertainment, and inflicted pain to all the overbearing supporters not just in the stadium but at home.
Less than a month after PM Lee Hsien Loong heaped praise on the dedication and hard work of striker Sufian and FAS during the National Day Rally, now all his words of encouragement would have been better not said as it really is an insult to PM.
I hope FAM punish FAS and Johor FC and expel them and allow Johor FA and PKNS to enter instead. Infact, if there is proof the match had already been pre-arranged with a pre-determined result, CPIB should come in and investigate everyone.
If Sundram can say the players are tired, then professionalism is still very much lacking in everyone. Wouldn't it be better to tell the fans not to come and save their money?
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If there is no legalized betting on this game, then I have nothing to say except that they still played by the rules, though I would have preferred the referee to be proactive by issuing players warnings or yellow cards for time-wasting play.
What both teams did is called match-fixing. Very surprised the Lions coach has such a thick skin by requesting $8-paying fans to support them in next match. FAS and the Police should investigate if any player or Sundram the coach made substantial bets by getting friends or relatives to buy on their behalf. Fans should be refunded as well.
A very sad day for Singapore football. No pride after more than 10 years of PROFESSIONAL football.
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Wtf, i'm so ashamed by the LionsXII's 2nd half performance.. The good news is u guys are through to the next round but the bad news is, i've lost my respect for the team.. Seriously, i'd rather we lose the match than to advance in this manner..!
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