a pat on the back

ARE we to cheer or jeer?
To the sceptics, it would another excuse to further distance themselves from the Malaysian team. To the fans, it was a refreshing sight to watch.

Don't mind the fact Malaysia had Lady Luck on their side all this time in the Asian Football Federation Championship. However, fate took over as the Malaysian side, dubbed the Tigers, were edged 5-4 in penalty after being held to a 1-1 draw after extra time against the homesters Singapore at the National Stadium earlier.

Having also drew the earlier leg in Shah Alam Stadium, Singapore will now meet tournament favourites Thailand in the final.

However, two goals from the Malaysian side will be the talk of the town for quite sometime. Nizarrudin Yusof's bicycle kick in the earlier rounds was ESPN goal of the day while Mohd Hardi Jaafar's curling shot in the first leg of the semifinal amazed the Malaysian fans- as some claim a shot like that can only be seen in a South American league.

The Malaysia side could have done better but they certainly deserve a pat on their back for their grit. The Tigers lost in the battle of the cats, but they can hold their heads up high. Good job Malaysia...but we expect more from you now on.

FLASHBACK: Singapore's Mohd Khairul Amri Mohd Kamal, right, controls the ball while chased by Malaysia's Thirumurugan Veeran, left, and Eddy Helmi Abdul Manan during the ASEAN Football Championship in Shah Alam, on the outskirts of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2007. The match ended in a 1-1 draw. (AP Photo/Andy Wong).

-The Man Who Sold The World-