Happy feet

I switched my basketball shoes to my football boots last night. Figuratively. Instead of playing basketball, I stayed home and watched the big game on TV. No, I didn't go to the stadium, and yes, it was a big game. All eyes (okay, maybe only the fanatics and curious) were on them. Everyone is passing judgement to them. And I thought, it's only fair to see them play first before I start throwing accusations and profanities at them. And seeing that this was their last game in the tournament, I just have to see it for myself.

The coach switched to an all-defensive team this time, probably trying to patch up the leaky defence. 6 defenders were deployed, with only one striker set as the target man, more like a hamster in a cage, a lot of running amounting to nothing.

But the defence held. Everyone was expecting a rout by the 48-ranked Iranians, but instead, at halftime, we were only one goal down, courtesy from the referee who awarded a penalty for a soft tackle in the box. And just before halftime, we had the only highlight of our game. In one of the counter-attacks, a player ran down the right flank, sidestepped an Iranian defender, saw some space opening up, and fired a well-placed shot that brought the best save out of the goalkeeper. That had to be the best moment of the game for our side and it brought cheers from the small number of supporters. Even the commentators were excited too.

Second half started the same way, with our team defending deep and the visitors controlling the ball, the pace, the space and everything else. Waves after waves of attacks were unleashed, and repelled, thanks to the excellent goalkeeping and desperate defensive lines. But I watch with trepidation knowing that the boys will tire soon, and more goals will be conceded by defending too deep. After all, isn't attack the best form of defence?

Finally, after squandering numerous chances, the visitors scored another goal. But that's about it. With the respectable scoreline, considering we are a 101 placed behind Iran in the world ranking, I think the boys can held their head a little bit higher for their gritty performance.

However, the same couldn't be said about the coach. He was sensationally axed by FAM, but what else could you expect. The previous two drubbings sealed his fate, even before the final game. During the press conference after the game, he told the press that he felt that he wasn't given enough time to mould the team. And his last words before leaving, “Look we have nothing to lose by playing these bigger teams. We must learn from our experiences.”

And so we will. But to what extend? That is yet to be seen. And maybe we still have a long way to go, and instead of targeting to qualify for World Cup 2018 (that is FAM target for Malaysian football), we should really set our sight closer to home. Like the SEA games. When was the last time we won the gold medal in football? Come to think of it, I can't even remember.

Another interesting thing, the guest commentator last night was none other than Azman Adnan, the ex-national player who played for the country a decade ago. The funny thing is, I do not remember him for his footballing heroics. No, what I remember instead is him being banned for six months for hanging out till late at a dangdut club in Indonesia during a tournament there, and then marrying hottie Haliza (she was a hottie a decade ago). That lasted only for a while, though. Funny how we don't seem to remember our footballers for what they did on the field.

But maybe that's how it is in Malaysia. And that's how it's going to be for years to come.