Get back up
THE national football team must billabong beach shorts discount break into the top-100 of Fifa's world rankings for Malaysian players to ply their trade in Europe.
Football leagues in countries such as England have strict requirements for foreign players and those from countries ranked outside the top-70 are regularly denied work permits.
National players Safee Sali and Safiq Rahim have impressed after undergoing trials at Malaysian-owned English Championship side Cardiff City but due to Malaysia's ranking of 156th, were not offered contracts.
FA of Malaysia deputy president billabong beach shorts for sale Tengku Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah said the national team, who were ranked as high as 75th in 1993, must try to move up the rankings by winning games against higher-ranked opposition.
"It is difficult to predict how and when the ranking will change. We have been winning against Asean teams but to move up, we need to be playing, and winning, against higher-ranked teams," said Tengku Abdullah after the launch of new personal trainer, Power Plate My7, by distributor Universal Fitness & Leisure in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.
"The problem appears to be that these teams do not want to play against those below them. The only teams interested in playing against us are those below us.
"The ranking has huge implications on us, and everyone must realise this, including players and administrators. Especially for the players if they want to play in Europe, we must be ranked in the top-100.
"That is why the ranking is important. Besides allowing our players to go to Europe, the ranking of our national team is also a matter of pride,"
Just last week, FAM general secretary Datuk billabong beach shorts for men Azzuddin Ahmad was quoted as saying there is no reason to panic as Malaysia's ranking does not truly reflect the national team's standard.
This, however, has not enticed teams to play the AFF Cup champions as only Sri Lanka, ranked 181st, the Philippines (No 148) and Singapore (No 158) having confirmed friendly matches against Malaysia.
In a separate development, Tengku Abdullah said his offer to mediate between Tan Sri Annuar Musa and FAM still stands despite FAM president Sultan Ahmad Shah having expressed his support of the disciplinary committee's 30-month ban on Annuar.
"My door is always open to everyone. I am always working for the harmony of FAM, whether openly or discreetly," said Tengku Abdullah after Annuar last week accepted his offer of mediation.