Buck up or face ban, Khairy warns fam

Malaysia Sports Minister calls for resignations after Tigers suffer 'shameful' 0-10 loss to UAE

UAE's players celebrate after scoring a goal against Malaysia's team during their AFC qualifying football match for the 2018 FIFA World Cup at the Mohammed Bin Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi on Sept 3, 2015. PHOTO: AFP

The repercussions for Malaysian football following a record 0-10 defeat by the United Arab Emirates continued with Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin lambasting the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM).

He also called for resignations within the national body.

"They should start asking themselves if they should be there and pretend like nothing had happened, even after such a shameful incident," said Khairy yesterday at a grassroots event in Terengganu.

He added that he would be demanding a detailed report from the FAM to explain the disastrous World Cup qualifying match in Abu Dhabi on Thursday night.

It was Malaysia's biggest international loss , eclipsing a 2-8 thrashing by New Zealand in 1967.

"If FAM keeps on pretending like nothing had happened and comes up with their recycled lame excuses, then I am left with no choice but to carry out the last option, which is to ban FAM," he said.

National coach Dollah Salleh, 51, had announced his resignation as soon as the team landed in Kuala Lumpur on Friday evening.

He had said: "I take full responsibility for what has happened. The fans will not accept this result. My decision is final... Any coach would not accept this result. I don't blame anyone else."

While he guided the Tigers to a runners-up finish at December's Asean Football Federation Suzuki Cup, losing 3-4 on aggregate to Thailand, his tenure had witnessed several lows.

In March, Malaysia were beaten 0-6 by Oman in a friendly and lost by the same scoreline to Palestine in a World Cup qualifier in June.

Ong Kim Swee, the Under-23 coach, was appointed interim coach by the FAM yesterday.

The ex-international midfielder had taken charge of the Harimau Muda (U-21) in 2009 and led them to the second-tiered Malaysian Premier League title that year.

Ong also got the nod as Malaysia's Under-23 coach in 2011 and won the SEA Games gold in his first year in charge.

This is his second stint overseeing the senior side. He was previously at the helm for four months in 2014, recording a 2-1 away win against Yemen in an Asian Cup qualifier and a pair of 0-0 draws with the Philippines in friendlies.

Ong, 44, is expected to remain in charge until December, when his contract with the FAM expires.

His first task will be to rally the team for their World Cup qualifier against Saudi Arabia at the Shah Alam Stadium on Tuesday.

He said: "I do not know what to say. I am honoured and this is a huge challenge.

"I will prepare the team the best possible way against Saudi Arabia."

Malaysia are bottom in Group A in Asian qualifying for the 2018 World Cup with one point after three matches.

The UAE lead the group on goal difference from Saudi Arabia. Both have won their first two games.

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Sunday Times on September 06, 2015, with the headline Buck up or face ban, Khairy warns fam. Subscribe