OK, so I understand the format for the next Indonesian season will be 24 clubs. The season will begin on 14 October and will end in October 2012. That's a year later. The 2011/2012 will run for a couple of weeks I guess before the SEA Games will halt everything for a while. And once the season does end next October the best players will be rewarded with a call up for their national teams to compete in the ASEAN Football Federation Cup.

Former Indonesian national team coach Alfred Riedl has returned to coach Laos for the SEA Games. Riedl is a familiar figure in South East Asia having also coached Vietnam and last year he led Indonesia to the ASEAN Football federation Cup Final, losing to Malaysia.
He was sacked by the new PSSI leadership for some strange reason, was it something like they couldn't find the contract, and there have been calls for his return as Indonesia's World Cup campaign fizzles but it won't be happening now!

Many were saying last December that Singapore football was in terminal decline. The perceived wisdom among the wizened old hacks and the keyboard warriors who impotently vomit their self loathing on anonymous message boards was that following the failure to win the ASEAN Football Federation Cup, as if the Lions have the right to win it every time, and following a humiliating domestic season that saw all three trophies won by foreign teams, the game was dead, better everyone just spend their money buying replica shirts of EPL teams.

Back in 2008 Malaysia were drawn against Thailand, Vietnam and Laos in the ASEAN Football Federation Cup. After defeating Laos 3-0 hopes were high in the homeland that finally the Hariamau would make an impression in the region's leading competition. But successive defeats against Vietnam and Malaysia soon ended those hopes.

Been looking forward to this game ever since the World Cup Qualifiers were announced a few months back. OK, Malaysia had to overcome a tricky Chinese Taipei first but they did so and now we have it.
Singapore are one of the most successful teams in the history of Malaysian football, as Chairman Mao would have said the neighbours are like lips and teeth.

The Malaysian national team has been just about the only success story in South East Asian football in recent years. The Under 23s won the Sea Games in 2009 and the full team, featuring a good many of the triumphant squad, went on to win the ASEAN Football Federation Cup in 2010.

They are the only ASEAN team still in with a shout of reaching the Olympic Games in London next year, they are drawn againt Japan, Bahrain and Syria in the next round, while later this month they play Singapore in a home and away World Cup qualifier.

The often mooted ASEAN Super League – a regular competition featuring the best football clubs from amongst South East Asia's 10 nations – is unlikely to be further discussed until next year. The FA of Singapore formally proposed the ASL in 2006 but, as yet, has been unable to confirm support from the major ASEAN Football Federation members.

Geylang United v Tampines RoversHome United v Woodlands WellingtonEtoile v Tanjong PagarGombak United v Balestier KhalsaSAFFC v Phnom Penh CrownSouth Melbourne v Albirex NiigataHougang United v Young TigersPattaya United v Okkthar United
Five foreign teams this year, well seven if you include Etoile and Albirex Niigata.

Malaysia Friendlies Ahead of Olympic & World Cup Qualifying
03/06 - Hong Kong v Malaysia07/06 - Cambodia Olympic v Malaysia Olympic13/06 - Qatar Olympic v Malaysia Olympic18/06 - Malaysia v Myanmar
Indonesia Friendlies Ahead of World Cup Qualifying
Malaysia's Trophy Cabinet
2009 - SEA Games Champions2010 - ASEAN Football Federation Cup Champions
Indonesia's Trophy Cabinet

Andy from Cambodia Football is reporting that David Booth has been sacked as coach of Thai Premier League side Si Sa Ket. Of course, they won at the weekend, defeating Pattaya United 2-0, a victory that sees them climb to 11th in the 18th team league just a point behind highly fancied Bangkok Glass. Well, they have deep pockets at least.

Malaysia face a few grueling few weeks in June and July with World Cup and Olympic qualifiers as well as ‘look at me' tours from English Premier League teams.

03/06 v Hong Kong (A)

07/06 v TBC

19/06 v Lebanon (A) Olympic Qualifier

23/06 v Lebanon (H) Olympic Qualifier

29/06 v Chinese Taipei (H) World Cup Qualifier

03/07 v Chinese Taipei (A) World Cup Qualifier

21/07 v Chelsea

23/07 v Singapore (A) World Cup Qualifier (if Taiwan defeated)

23/08 v Singapore (H)

Also on the drawing board are games against Turkey or Saudi Arabia for the Olympic side while Liverpool and Arsenal are rumoured to be considering a game in Malaysia.

The SLeague are at it again. So often they make decisions to appease the court of public opinion rather than for the good of the game.
Last year, after a brawl between players from Young Lions and Beijing Guoan, the FAS slapped heavy fines and lengthy bans on players from both sides in response to a media outcry.

This Saturday sees Young Lions take on Albirex Niigata in the SLeague at 5pm with all proceeds going to help victims of Japan's recent disasters. Following that will be a friendly between SLeague champions Etoile and ASEAN Football Federation Cup winners Malaysia.

Oktavianus Maniani burst on to the scene during the ASEAN Football Federation Cup last December. Especially against Malaysia and Lao he impressed with his pace though many were quick to point out that perhaps the lad was a sandwich or two short when it came to a picnic. A one trick pony to put it politely.

Congratulations to Malaysia for playing out the final game against Indonesia in good spirit despite effectively winning the cup with their away goal at the 54th minute to put them 4-0 on aggregate. One day Indonesia's patriotic surge of support for Timnas will be put to good use in building an inclusive youth and recreational football policy and system, a clean and well-managed professional