new season,..... new hope..

....new jersey, ....new hope, ...you'll never walk alone...

..The new season is just around the corner. Pre-season come & go. New players come in, some moving away. Transfer market still on & a few surprises may just happen...

..LFC, Liverpool Football Club....of course......with "You'll Never Walk Alone"....

After a dissapointed last season, let's hope the new 2012/3 season will be diffrerent. With the new manager, Brandon Rodgers, of Swansea FC (previously), taking over from the legend...Kenny Dalglish, high expectation from the Liverpool's fan.

To date, a day before the Europa League third round against FC Gomel, only one signing, Fabio Borini, a reserve in the Italian squad , runner up in the recent  Euro 2012. Things look a little gloomy, but this may change with rumours around with potential players like, Clint Dempsey, Joe Allen & Gaston Ramirez.

We also welcome back, Lucas (from injury, ahead o f schedule), our best player last 2 season before the injury. Latest, Suarez & Coates back early from the Olympics.....

Let's see what happen tonite against the Belarus's side.......YNWA....

....i told you....

My favourite's Kelantanese food....

....sejak kecik dulu, memang suka makan masakan kelantan .....
....dalam bulan puasa ni dengan pasar ramadhan,.....memori kembali....


My favourite's.....Nasi Dagang...





...the blue colour rice.....Nasi Kerabu...



..the unforgetable....Ayam Percik....




...kelantanese laksa...Laksam or Lakse....

 



...famous kuih.....AKOK......I love it...





...Lompat Tikar....



Semuanya...sedap-sedap belaka......

Tapi, rasa original.....memang sukar ditandingi......apo nak buat.....jauh di rantauan....

......kecek kelate pun kurang, apatah lagi nak make kuih kelate...........

.....i told u......

"hungry ghost".....

It's seventh month (lunar calendar) and ....it's ghost month again.

In Penang, haze will be more serious with "money burning" for the dead everywhere after the Por Thor prayers. These events will go on for the whole month.

Posting some pictures on the prayers .....

the "BIG JOSS STICK"

food, fruits for prayers

fruits & bak chang

normal view for the prayer's stand

durians seem to be part of the prayers nowdays

not missing out...the "roast pig"

money burning for the ........

Hell Note .....currency not affected...

Burning start .... haze ....

more haze....

Lastly after all the prayers and burning......Makan time......

Lastly....makan time....

I TOLD YOU......

Pre-Word Cup .. Malaysia vs Singapore 2nd Leg

It is getting a little bit time for me to get over... the fact Malaysia is out of the World Cup 2014. That doesn't mean that Malaysia were really going to qualify for this comin World Cup. The fact that we were beaten by our neighbour, Singapore 6-4 (agg) was really hard to take.

Well, I am not going write so much... . To start with, the tickets were sold-off within 2 days ...90,000 tickets. With thousands more queing were left dissapointed when the counter declared the tickets....HABISSS..

I really can't remember the last time when Malaysian football team playing with the stadium fully packed. Even, then, if the stadium is half filled, it is considered an achivement. This time is different, the whole nation (which include me, of course), were crazy, mad, patriotic,....about this game. Credit have to be given to this team comprising majority young players that have been quite succesful over the last one year.

As for the game, I really do not want to elobrate too much... Well, we were beaten by Singapore 5-3 in the first leg in Singapore and expect to score 2 clear goals to the go thru..(2-0,3-1,or even 4-2). The 2nd leg, we played with passion, the defence looked shaky (as in 1st leg), but the difference was the goalkeeper (I need to mention). Khairul Fahmi was playing and basically he single handed Singapore attacks at least 4 to 5 clear chances. 

We managed to score the first goal within the 60 minutes thru Safee, and with half an hour to go, I was expecting Malaysia to have  a chance for a second. But unfortunately, the defence dissapoint again with Fahmi having no chance. 1-1 , how it ended..6-4 on aggregate.

Recalling back on the 1st leg, if Fahmi was playing, I don't think that Singapore could score five times...Well,
over is over...but definately I find Rajagopal making the wrong decision on not fielding Fahmi on 1st leg.

Anyway, congrats to the team for the fighting spirit and looking forward to the Olympics team playing next month.....Majulah Sukan Untuk Negara.....

Meantime....Back to the Barclays Premiere League...starting next week.......You'll Never Walk Alone..


I TOLD YOU.....

Pre-World Cup...Malaysia against Singapore 1st Leg..

It was 23 July 2011, after so many years in wilderness on Malaysian football, I was looking forward to this game. I have been texting, emailing and informing all my friends on this game. The game was showed live on Astro Awani channel 801 & TV3.

The first leg was played in Singapore (Jalan Besar Stadium)...why not at National Stadium? not sure. The return will be played at Bukit Jalil, KL on 28 July 2011. The game started at 7.30pm.

When the team sheet was released, the only surprise for me was the Malaysian goalkeeper. I was expecting Khairul Fahmi aka "apek" to play. But coach Rajagopal has opted for Mohd Sharbinee who I think was the wrong choice. He didn't play well against Taiwan in the earlier game. His reflexes are not so good and he is not so commanding in the heart the defence. With "apek" fully fit after the friendly against Liverpool, I do expect him to play. He was instrumental for Malaysia in the AFF Suzuki tournament where we emerged champion.

Khairul "apek" Fahmi ... we want you...

Malaysia started well, with Safee Sali fully fit again, was on target on the first minute where Safee scored. What a start for Malaysia. An away goal on the first minute. What else do you expect?..... Then, come the nightmare. Singapore started to settle down and controlling the midfield and using the height of their "imported" player to test our defence and our goalkeeper. They managed to score four goals, two through set pieces. From all the four goals, I think... if Sharbinee reflexes are better, he would at least be able to save one if not two of the goals scored. He didn't even managed to touch the balls for all the four goals that went in. Besides, the defences were all around everywhere.... total miscomunication and no understanding among the defenders. Half time finally arrived. What should we do? Inside my heart, I was thinking to myself, well guys, let's forget about what happened in the first half. Now this is what we are going to do. First, tighten the defence, make sure no more goal leak thru and we will nick a goal. That's it. The rest we will settle in Bukit Jalil.

We started well, controlling, attacking and showing some promising run at Singapore's goal mouth. Well, everything as per plan until.....hmmmmmm.... our captain ...Safiq, flying a high kick at at a Singapore player and off he goes....red carded. Thru the replay, I was hoping the referee got it wrong but .... he got it spot on. Well, I would say...stupid mistake.... With 1-4 down, captain off, what should we do? To my surprise, Malaysia fought on and couple of minutes later, with a lttle bit of luck a one-two between Kunalan and Safee found Kunalan's speeding on the left wing overpassing the Singapore's left back. The leftback who is on a yellow card pulled Kunalan down....guess what? Second yellow card and off he goes..yahooo....a lifeline for Malaysia..  Within minutes of play, Malaysia managed to score two goals thru Abdul Hadi Yahaya and Safee Sali. What a turn around. 4-3 the score with 20 minutes to go. Three away goals, beyond expectation during the half time.....wow...what a game...!!!  It did not end there. However, on the 81st minute, Aleksandar Duric (this guy is definately not from Singapore) managed to snatch Singapore's fifth goal. And again, Sharbinee not able to save (or even touch the ball)...pity on him....pity on Malaysia.

Well, it finally end with 5-3 to Singapore. But on the positive note, we will bring 3 away goals back to Bukit Jalil.
Rajagopal has to tidy up the defence....Rajagopal must get this right.. and "apek" coming in. Than, we get the first goal without conceeding within the first 60 minutes and Singapore will be under a  lot  pressure .... tension....

 I have good feeling, we will go thru' with 2-0............Malaysia ....Boleh....!!!!! Support Malaysia on 28 July 2011...

I will start reminding my friends on the game.........


I TOLD YOU....

Memory....1983.Pahang's Glory..Malaysia Cup Final.

....the memory starts here.....



the prestigious "Malaysia Cup"

It was 6.30 in the morning on 7 May 1983, me, together with my bro & dad started our journey from Kuantan. Our destination...Merdeka Stadium in KL..for the Malaysia Cup final between our team, Pahang against the mighty Selangor. Pahang, for the first time in history making to the final after failing few occasion in the semis. We, along with .....some....25,000 Pahang supporters (majority in buses) making their way to the city.

It was an exciting journey for me mainly because I am a fanatic fan for Pahang watching most of their home matches at the Darulmakmur Stadium. Sitting at the back seat of dad's car, looking out at the window while dad drove thru Gambang..., Maran,....Temerloh..and  Karak. It was around 10.30am, when dad decieded to stop at Karak town for a break. It was the restaurant that was selling the famous Karak "siew pau". We had our breakfast and tar pau some "siew pau" along. Still remember, it cost 65cents..expensive at that time. After "makan"..we continue our journey.

The excitement increased when our car approached the genting tunnel (meaning...it's almost KL...yeah...)...
Reach my uncle house at OUG around noon. My unc is the one that was qeueing a week earlier to buy the tickets for the match. He managed to get the cover seat (opposite of the grandstand). The price for the ticket is RM8.....and I have kept the ticket until now....

"the ticket" sponsored by 555 (tiga lima)

We were "lepak"ing at my unc's house while waiting to go the stadium. When the clock ticked 4.00pm & the time has finally arrived,..... Stadium Merdeka ..here we come.. Malaysia Cup, here we come.....

It was a dream come thru (at that time). Being a 14 year old, and able to step into the Merdeka Stadium and watching the Malaysia Cup final ...with our team Pahang playing for the first time.

A little bit about the 1983 Pahang team. The team was coached by an Englishman named Frank Lord. Pahang is the first Malaysian team that have an imported coach and players. Besides, Frank, 2 others imported players were Singapore internationals in T.Pathmanathan (centre defender) & R.Suriamoorthy (midfielder). Along with them, we have also at that time, Malaysia top striker from Selangor,... Zainal Abidin Hassan..(everyone knows him). Other top profile players include Jamal Nasir, the Alif brothers, Abdah & Yunus, Tajuddin Nor. Despite these players, one player that I need to mention is the rookie goalkeeper, Sanusi Daud.. Many of you may not know him, but whoever Pahang supporters that watched the match WILL know him.

Well, back to me again. Where were we??? hmm....oh yes,..we reached the stadium around 5 pm. We have to park some 15 minutes walk from the stadium (at the road side). When we approached the stadium compound, wow...all I can see is PEOPLE. There were full of people...supporters in black & white and also of course...red. I was wearing neutral colour of blue worrying the home colour of black & white or yellow may cause problem for the opposition supporters. But, deep inside the heart, I am die hard Pahang supporter. There are so many hawkers selling variety of food and drinks. Of course the popular among us were the burger (especially the "Ramly" brand) and the  "kacang rebus". I bought a burger and a soya bean (packet). Can and bottle drinks are not allowed in the stadium due to safety reason.

After "tar pau" the food and drink, we started to make our way to the entrance of the stadium. We have to search for the right entrance. The queue was sooooooooo.........long. If took us around an hour before we finally make it into the stadium.. Wow....the environment in the stadium was tremendous....electrifying....never felt this before. The noise..sound...in the stadium were tremendous...we have to scream to talk to each other.

The clock strikes 7.00pm, the Merdeka Stadium was already fully packed. ....Hey..the match will only start at 8.30pm. 90 minutes to go, we are already in stadium.....we must be crazy!!?? Everyone must be crazy.You are wrong! For the next 90 minutes...it was a lifetime experience (especially for me...a 14 years old). The colour of yellow at on side of the stadium and red/yellow at the other side. ...The "tok gajah" team against the "merah kuning" of the mighty Selangor. The state flags of Pahang and Selangor flying around the stadium. The fans were singing, shouting,...screaming....non-stop.... Everyone seems to enjoy themselves to the fullest. Definately, I myself was enjoying every second of this. Till today, some 27 years gone, the memory in the stadium seems still very fresh in my mind.

It was 8.15pm,..in come the players from both teams. Selangor, as usual in their red & yellow strip while Pahang in the favourite yellow & black. Both teams entering the field were welcomed by thunderous applauds & cheers. Everyone were standing up, flags waves.....................

Sharp 8.30pm, the match started... I will comment a little bit on the match....

the match started with both teams playing some attacking football. However, it is Pahang who scored the first goal thru' Hamidon Abdullah, Zainal's strike partner. When the goal went in, the stadium errupted, the pahang supporters were cheering, waving, yelling, screaming, missiles flying around......unbelieveable.. The place where we were seated (suppose to be neutral as most of them are not in yellow or red), also errupted which include me. Later, I realised that most of them are Pahang supporters. What are feeling???.!!! 

Before the end of the 90 minutes, somehow Selangor managed to equalise... thru'...can't remember who the scorer ???...maklumlah...I , Pahang supporter.. The match went to extra time (30 minutes).

In the first half of the extra time, Pahang drew the first blood when they managed to score 2 goals thru' Zainal & Pathmanathan. The score was 3-1 and it seemed that Pahang was moving closer to their first Malaysia Cup trophy. I was really in the upright mood at the end of the first half extra time. I had already imagining Jamal Nasir holding the trophy.......

Then, the start of the second half of the extra time with Selangor throwing their last dice by bringing in the great Mokhtar Dahari. Mokhtar really changed the momentum on the match. Within minutes of coming in, he managed to score a tremendous goal from almost .....well....quite a distance,...can't recalled. The goal really bring up the red half of the stadium and Pahang were attacked from every angle of the field. The eleven Pahang players on the field were defending the goal as they were defending for their life. With the rookie goalkeeper, Sanusi Daud, making saves & blunders.......the last 10 minutes were ......my heart almost fell out... Finally, the final whistle was blown by the referee, and the Merdeka Stadium errupted again.... but only to the delight of the Pahang supporters. The whole of Pahang celebrate!... (the match was also telecasted live by RTM). The white & black of the Pahang flag was wave...and wave......around the stadium while the Selangor supporters slowly making their way out of the stadium. By the time of the trophy presentation, most of the Selangor supporters were already gone.

When Jamal Nasir, the Pahang's skipper lifted the Malaysia Cup for the first time, ....."that feeling" was great....I was cheering, screaming,......I was definately very happy and there is only smile at my face.

That night, we returned to my unc's place where we stayed a night. I could not sleep the whole night. Me and my bro were chatting, talking, discussing ....... about the match. We were recalling the incident that happened during the match...., how Mokhtar scoring the goal & how anxious we are in the last 10 minutes.

Next day, it was Sunday, we were to start our journey home when we heard that Monday (tomorrow) was declare as holiday (for Pahang's victory). Wow, it was a double celebration for me & bro as we do not have to go to school on Monday. We reached Kuantan safetly on Sunday around 7.00pm.

Until today, when me, my bro and even my dad do get together, we still could recall the journey, the match...it was a great memory that I will never forget.

Since young, I have been a supporting fan for Pahang football and also Malaysian football. Beside Pahang, Malaysian football in the 80s were great. I used to watch Malaysian legend like Soh Chin Aun, Santokh Singh, Mokhtar Dahari, Arumugam, James Wong, Hassan Sani,............on tv when the were playing in the Merdeka Cup, Pra Olympic, Asian Cup,.....

Mokhtar Dahari

Santokh & Soh Chin Aun

Hassan Sani

      

Arumugam

They were so strong when the beat South Korea (Asian powerhouse) which have great players like Kim Jae Han & Cha Beum Keum. Malaysian football and even Pahang football seems gone after the mid 90s....
I totally lost in touch since then, until recently I watched Malaysia playing against Vietnam in the semi-final of the AFF Suzuki Cup. The feeling, the memory suddenly pop-up and returned and I have a very good feeling about this.

Let's be very positive about Malaysian football. Well, as for Pahang football team,...they are lying at the 2nd from bottom in the Super League...not so promising.....I maybe now staying in Penang, Pahang will always be in my heart.

Malaysian Team at the AFF Suzuki Cup

Malaysia Boleh. Pahang Boleh.

.....please forgive if there are any inaccuracy in what was written....maklumlah....dah lebih 27 tahun....

I TOLD YOU............

I told you...... I don't care

..For me, this will be first time writting...... don't get me wrong... the last time I really....really....really write was during my final year project paper in the university.... that  was some 18 years ago...

I have decided to write not knowing whether there will be anyone reading it or not...but I really don't care. At times, you can't really expect people to like what you write or even read or look at it. The only thing that you will be able to control is yourself. You can only change yourself but you can't change others.

However, of course there will be an extra motivation for me if there are people reading it.......


I TOLD YOU.........