Malaysia: The sports minister has threatened to suspend the country’s football body after last week’s 10-0 drubbing that already prompted the team’s coach to step down.
Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin said he was prepared to take drastic measures against the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) after the embarrassing World Cup-qualifying defeat to the United Arab Emirates. The Malaysian coach Dollah Salleh resigned two days after presiding over Malayia’s thrashing in Abu Dhabi which made history as their worst-ever defeat.
“I can call for a suspension of FAM, just like how Indonesia did to their national body,” said Mr. Khairy.
Last week, Mahdi Ali’s men were ruthless and relentless as they grounded a hapless Malaysia to dust at the Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium in a Group A fixture of the World Cup qualifier. The UAE came so close to record their biggest win but just fell short. The record is 12-0 against Brunei in 2001.
The home side kept on scoring goals without a reply from the Malaysian team. Emiratis were 7-0 up as they walked off the park at the interval. Al Jazira striker Ali Ahmed Mabkhout and Al Ahli forward Ahmed Khalil notched up hat-tricks on the night.
Al Ain’s Mohanad Salem and Mohammed Ahmed scored one each alongside Al Ahli’s Habib Al Fardan. The playmaker Omar Abdulrahman played a vital role as the Al Ain genius achieved six assists to his name while Bani Yas playmaker Amer Abdulrahman had three.
“I don’t know what happened tonight,” said Salleh, who was lost for words after the game. “Everything collapses and the UAE played fantastic football, especially Omar, super player. It was a disaster for us. I don’t know what to say really, so sorry guys,” he added.
For the visitors, it was indeed the biggest loss in their history. Their worst showing has been 8-2 against New Zealand in 1967. IMAGE/bangkokpost
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