Under-fire Malaysian soccer chief vows to fight on

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Kuala Lumpur: July 17: The beleaguered head of Malaysian soccer is refusing to step down despite widespread criticism of his team's poor performance at the Asian Cup.

Sultan Ahmad Shah, president of the Football Association of Malaysia, said he would not follow in the footsteps of his son, Tengku Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah, who quit as deputy president on Sunday after Malaysia's 5-0 thrashing at the hands of Uzbekistan in their second Group C match.

In their opening game, co-hosts Malaysia went down 5-1 to China and cannot qualify for the knockout stages of the tournament.

Sultan Ahmad said he would open an investigation as to why the team played so badly.

''I will not bow to pressure, I am not a coward,'' he said in The Star. ''Who does not want the national team to do well at international matches? This is my responsibility. We will not run away. We are fighters.

''Yes, I have been quiet all this while. They thought I do not know anything. I love football and I am with the people. We were badly beaten.

''I demand a full report of the matches against China and Uzbekistan from the manager and coach. I cannot take it. There will be changes.'' Sports and Youth Minister Azalina Othman Said yesterday called for a complete overhaul of Malaysian football.

Malaysia play their final Group C match against Iran tomorrow.


Reuters







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