1MCC LAUNCHED

1 Malaysia Cardiff City (1MCC) has officially launched its Logo and its Social Media Platform today. This is aimed at continuing its bid to further reach out to youths via their grassroots football programme as well as other programmes in the pipeline. This platform aims to unite all within the Country’s diverse landscape – through the medium of FOOTBALL.

The Cardiff City Football Club stands by the tradition of “FOOTBALL FOR ALL”, and 1MCC’s objectives are in tandem with the mother Club, making an impact through their 1MCC-Junior Football League 2011 which just ended its season last month. 1MCC has also partnered FELDA (Federal Land Development Authority) in their community programmes via sports and education.

2012 will be an exciting year for 1MCC as it launches the LIGA 1MCC – to promote grassroots football and to further open doors to provide a structured and organised youth football programme for enthusiasts from ages 8 through to 18 years. The FAM (Football Association of Malaysia)- sanctioned LIGA 1MCC will kick- start in mid February 2012.

“The launch of our Social Media Platform will see us reaching out to youths via Facebook, Twitter and our own YouTube channel, enabling the football fraternity to have better accessibility and connection with all our activities and programmes. This will see interaction and participation in our well-formulated programmes which have been designed to further develop the youths interest in football,” said Chairman of 1MCC and Cardiff City Football Club, Dato’ Chan Tien Ghee in Kuala Lumpur today.

“Malaysia possesses a vast pool of talented and skilled footballers as well as many aspiring ones. This social media platform will bring them together via cyberspace, to exchange news and interests and to also access the activities of 1MCC and that of our mother Club, the Cardiff City Football Club in Wales, UK. With this connection they are able to further their interests in football, and ultimately strive to achieve to their highest individual potential” Dato’ Chan added.

FAM Deputy President, His Royal Highness, Tengku Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah lauded 1MCC for creating the catalyst and also setting the benchmark in the pursuit of identifying world class Malaysian footballers via a structured grassroots development programme.

“Malaysian football is now on the road to reclaiming its glorious years. It may be a long way off, but with 1MCC’s initiatives and commitment with young footballers, this goal is certainly achievable and will become a reality. 1MCC’s programmes will give us all a chance to bring Malaysia back to the forefront of Asian football.” His Royal Highness added.

Cardiff City Football Club Manager, Malcolm Mackay (fondly known as Malky Mackay), has sung praises of 1MCC’s efforts, calling it a ‘structured set up that will revolutionise the face of Malaysian football’. “Football is constantly changing and evolving in terms of mechanics and technology. Hence a structured and well-planned development programme is essential to progress in tandem with the times. It is not an easy task to put together a well-structured development drill that fits all levels of play as we are dealing with children with different abilities. However, 1MCC has come up with a system that can springboard and enable these young individuals to raise their game to new and higher standards,” said Mackay. “And that, he said, is something that is commendable.”

CHRISTIE bintang ATM baru dalam pembikinan, pasang impian wakil negara suatu ketika nanti

TAMPIL sebagai pemain gantian pada babak kedua, kemasukan Christie Jayaseelan mencetuskan impak serta-merta apabila menjaringkan gol kedua buat Angkatan Tentera Malaysia (ATM) dalam laluan ke kejayaan 2-0 ke atas Harimau Muda B di Stadium Petaling Jaya semalam.

Masuk menggantikan Zaquan Adha Abd Radzak pada minit ke-56, pemain kelahiran Kajang berusia 25 tahun itu mengesahkan kemenangan ketiga berturut-turut buat barisan bimbingan B Sathianathan apabila meledakkan gol sepuluh minit sebelum tamat selepas bertukar hantaran 1-2 dengan ketua pasukan, Hairuddin Omar.

Jaringannya itu, yang pertamanya musim ini, kian menyemarakkan semangatnya untuk beraksi dengan lebih kerap dalam kesebelasan utama dengan menaruh harapan bahawa persembahannya mampu memikat pengendali, B Sathianathan untuk menurunkannya daripada awal pada perlawanan menentang pencabar terkuat Liga Perdana, Sime Darby, Jumaat ini.

“Saya berharap jaringann itu dapat memikat Sathia untuk menurunkan saya dalam kesebelasan utama bagi perlawanan menentang Sime Darby.

“Saya menyedari bahawa saingan untuk menempatkan diri dalam pasukan begitu sukar dengan kehadiran penyerang ternama seperti Marlon (Alex James), Zaquan Adha dan Hairuddin Omar.

“Tetapi ia sedikit pun tidak menggusarkan saya dengan kehadiran saya di ATM adalah untuk menimba ilmu daripada pemain kebangsaan yang berpengalaman di kelab ini,” kata Christie yang berhijrah daripada PKNS musim ini.

Pemain tengah serangan itu melalui perjalanan berliku sebelum bergelar pemain profesional apabila kelab yang diwakili pada awal kerjayanya, Public Bank menarik diri daripada Liga Malaysia pada 2006 berikutan masalah kewangan.

Keadaan itu memaksa Christie berhijrah ke PKNS yang menyaksikannya membina nama di bawah jurulatih, Abdul Rahman Ibrahim dengan menjaringkan 6 gol sebelum mengambil keputusan untuk menyertai revolusi Sathia musim ini.

Kini, Christie, yang menyimpan impian untuk mewakili negara, berharap persembahan konsistennya mampu diterjemahkan kepada panggilan oleh jurulatih kebangsaan, K Rajagobal untuk menyarung jersi Harimau Malaya suatu ketika nanti.

ATM berada pada laluan menjulang gelaran Liga Perdana

MESKIPUN masih terlalu awal untuk memperkatakan mengenai gelaran Liga Perdana, kejayaan meraih tiga kemenangan berturut-turut tanpa bolos adalah petanda baik buat Angkatan Tentera Malaysia yang mengejar kenaikan ke Liga Super buat julung kalinya musim depan. Namun, barisan bimbingan B Sathianathan seharusnya tidak leka sebaliknya mengekalkan rentak konsisten ini dengan lawan seterusnya menjanjikan cabaran sebenar pertama buat ATM setakat ini, Sime Darby FC yang bakal mereka ditemui di Stadium Majlis Perbandaran Selayang, Jumaat ini (4.45 ptg). Sime Darby jelas bukan pasukan yang seharusnya dipandang enteng berikutan langkah mereka mendapatkan khidmat pemain seperti Razali Umar Kandasamy dari Perak, Irme Mat, Zamri Hassan, Hairul Nizam Haniff dan dua import Liberia, Patrick Wleh dan Sengbah dan Sengbah Kennedy. “Ia adalah ujian sebenar pertama buat kami. Sime Darby memiliki ramai pemain hebat dan menyimpan cita-cita untuk ke Liga Super, sama seperti kami. “Kami berharap untuk meneruskan persembahan yang ditunjukkan sehingga kini,” kata Sathia. Selepas 3 perlawanan, ATM kini gah di puncak liga dengan rekod 100 peratus, menjaringkan 9 gol tanpa bolos diketuai Marlon Alex James, calon awal Kasut Emas dengan 6 gol diikuti Zaquan Adha Abd Radzak, Hairuddin Omar dan Christie Jayaseelan, masing-masing dengan satu jaringan. Perkhabaran baik disaksikan pada perlawanan menentang Harimau Muda B tempoh hari apabila kapten, Hairuddin dan Christie menjaringkan gol-gol pertama mereka musim ini, membuktikan bahawa ATM tidak bergantung sepenuhnya kepada Marlon untuk menembusi gawang lawan musim ini. “Jaringan dua pemain ini membuktikan bahawa ATM adalah pasukan yang mengharapkan kepada seorang pemain, Marlon semata-mata. “Kesemua pemain saya tidak mengalami kecederaan dan berada pada tahap kecergasan terbaik bagi menghadapi perlawanan ini,” tambah Sathia.

BLESSED CHRISTMAS.

WISHING YOU A BLESSED CHRISTMAS & MAY GOD BLESS YOU ALWAYS.

IT IS A SEASON OF GIVING & FORGIVING.

HAVE A WONDERFUL & BLESSED 2012.

HM Sultan Ahmad Shah receives top AFC award

Asian football's highest individual accolade - the Diamond of Asia - has been awarded to former AFC President and current Sultan of Pahang, His Majesty Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah Ibni Sultan Abu Bakar Riayatuddin Al Muadzam Shah.

HM Sultan Ahmad Shah led the Asian Football Confederation from 1994 to 2002, during which time he played an influential role in Asia's first-ever hosting of the FIFA World Cup, and becomes the second Malaysian to join the exclusive club of Diamond of Asia recipients after the honour was bestowed upon Malaysian Prime Minister Dato' Seri Najib Tun Razak at least year's AFC Annual Awards ceremony.

"I served as the AFC President for eight years and it was an unforgettable experience. I am very touched, delighted and greatly honoured to receive this distinction today in front of all my friends in football," HM Sultan Ahmad Shah said in his acceptance speech.

"I dedicated my life to football and the Diamond of Asia has special significance for me. It is with great respect and pride I accept this award.

"Let me take this opportunity to also thank the AFC Executive Committee and commend them for the good work they are doing.

"The Future is Asia and we should not rest until we have realised this dream."

HM Sultan Ahmad Shah is the seventh recipient of the elite accolade after Saburo Kawabuchi (2005), Joseph S Blatter (2006), Lennart Johannson (2007), Ken Naganuma (posthumously; 2008), General Farouk Bouzo (2009) and Dato' Seri Najib Tun Razak.

The Diamond of Asia may be conferred for a single contribution of great importance or for ongoing contributions throughout a number of years and is a way for the AFC to acknowledge the recipient's sterling services. The award is given annually and always to one person - selected by the AFC Executive Committee - each year.

The recipient of this accolade enjoys a distinguished position within AFC, and is entitled to special privileges, including invitations to all AFC competitions and to all AFC official functions and events. Furthermore, the recipient ranks only after the AFC Executive Committee in terms of importance within the AFC's protocol and hierarchy.

IT'S DATO ALEX SOOSAY

ASIAN Football Confederation (AFC) General Secretary Alex Soosay will be conferred Darjah Indera Mahkota Pahang (DIMP) on Oct 24th at Istana Sultan Abu Bakar, Pekan.

Alex was appointed as General Secretary on July 15, 2009 after the resignation of Datuk Sri Paul Mony Samuel, Alex is an AFC veteran, having headed several key departments during his 14-year-long career. The Malaysian has played and coached at the national level and was Executive Secretary of the Negeri Sembilan Football Association before joining AFC in 1994.

Well-known as a hands-on organiser, Soosay was involved in the AFC Asian Cups of 1996, 2000, 2004 and 2007, and the 1999 FIFA Women’s World Championship, 2001 FIFA Confederations Cup and the 2002 FIFA World Cup.

Congratulations Dato and we wish you all the best ...

SAFEE TO RETURN TO CARDIFF FOR TWO MORE WEEKS

Cardiff City manager Malky Mackay today put on record his views on Safee Sali as the Malaysian striker completed his visit to South Wales, having trained first hand with the Bluebirds.

“Safee joined us for a ten day trial, during which time he showed a great attitude and work ethic while soaking in the environment and the way we train here at Cardiff City,” said Mackay.

“Obviously it was a big change and a different style and level of football, though he adapted and integrated well with the squad. We also appreciate that it’s difficult to get a full picture during a short ten day period, especially with the number of games and match preparation we had during that time.

“With a mind to the need for Safee to play competitive games with the Malaysian national team and in Indonesia with Pelita Jaya, we have asked Safee to return to Cardiff City for a two week period in the future which will be beneficial to all concerned. For now though we say our goodbyes and would like to put on record that we consider Safee to be a credit to his team and his country.”

Safee also had words on the experience after an insightful time in Cardiff, saying, "After playing with the reserves and even the first team at training, I have found the game here to be very much quicker. You do not get so much time with the ball. It is a whole new and different level.


“The training has gone well and all my team-mates gave me a really warm welcome. Although it has been just two weeks, I have learned since I have been here. God willing, I may return to play here in the near future.”

Safee was a spectator for the match between Cardiff City and Leicester City on Sunday. The match was also attended by Malaysian High Commissioner to Britain Datuk Zakaria Sulong and his wife, who participated in the Malaysia Day celebrations observed by the club. Safee will now return to Malaysia on Tuesday to prepare for an international match with Australia next month.