Thursday, November 29, 2007

Soccer and its ugly side. Alam shah just snapped and went berserk.Alam Shah apologises, but SAFFC demand further FAS disciplinary action

I'M SORRY. With those words, a remorseful Noh Alam Shah is hoping to put the worst behind him, after being sent off during Sunday's Singapore Cup final. The Tampines striker kneed SAF FC defender and international colleague Daniel Bennett during stoppage time.

The incident happened after the pair challenged for an aerial ball.

Yesterday morning, Bennett was discharged with a clean bill of health, after a night under observation at Mount Alvernia hospital for suspected concussion. As Alam Shah left the pitch after his sacking, he also allegedly attempted to hit the Football Association of Singapore's photographer Aundry Gan.

Yesterday, Alam Shah said: 'I would like to apologise to everyone. I regret that things turned out this way.''

REGRET

He declined further comment.

But SAFFC general manager Kok Wai Leong is furious that the striker's actions not only injured Bennett but also overshadowed his team's achievements.

He has written to the FAS, requesting for further disciplinary action to be taken.

Kok fumed: 'When I opened the newspapers this morning, there was little mention of SAFFC winning the Double. Instead, one man stole all the headlines.

'Only Alam Shah can explain what happened. His actions were over the top.

'He kneed Bennett. It was so bad that Bennett can't even remember what happened.

'That's violent conduct. Maybe he lost his head, but it's not a good excuse.

'I hope the S-League can do something about it.''

The FAS will study the referee and match commissioner's reports before deciding on further action.

Alam Shah's place in the national team is safe - for now.

Lions coach Raddy Avramovic said: 'I have spoken to both. Bennett has no hard feelings as Alam Shah has apologised.

'Alam Shah is still part of the national team until a decision has been made.''

Tampines are remaining firmly behind their man.

A club spokesman said: 'Alam Shah is brave enough to admit his mistake.

'We are giving him some time off to cool down and reflect on things.

'After that, we will engage an anger management expert to help him with his temper.''

It will not be the first time that Alam Shah has needed help in curbing his anger.

In 2003, he was counselled by a mental skills trainer from the Singapore Sports Council after he was sent off for abusing an assistant referee during an S-League game against Woodlands Wellington.

As he walked off the pitch, he also kicked the fourth official's table.

In fact, his dismissal in the Singapore Cup final was his ninth in 10 seasons of club football, although Sunday's was his first in two seasons.

In 2001, he was also red-carded for his part in a mass brawl in a World Cup qualifier against Bahrain, to whom the Lions lost 1-2.

He, Dalis Supait and Bahraini Abdulla Barzooki were each banned six matches and fined $4,800.

According to Tampines, the striker snapped on Sunday probably because of the pressure he was under.

The spokesman said: 'Alam Shah has played non-stop for both club and country for three seasons now. He is nursing a persistent left-ankle injury. He is still jet-lagged and suffering from diarrhoea following the World Cup qualifier in Tajikistan on Nov 18.

'He really wanted to win the final for Tampines. When we were losing in injury time, maybe his desire to win turned to frustration.''

Gan, who claimed he was nearly struck by Alam Shah's right arm, agreed.

'It was just a spur-of-the-moment thing,'' he said. 'He swung his right arm and tried to charge at me. But he didn't hit me.

'I will not lodge a report, and all is forgiven. He was just frustrated that his team were losing. The next time I see him, we'll go for a teh tarik together.''

What made him did what he did? Im totally dumbfounded.Why does the Beautiful Game turn out this way?