There is plenty to look forward to this weekend, with tantalising matchups in both domestic and international leagues.
But first, let me take a moment to convey my deepest condolences to the family of Wong Choon Wah, a Malaysian football legend, who sadly passed away yesterday morning. His passing is a great loss for the national football fraternity.
Moving on, before I get to the tale about a Norwegian getting a Brazilian, let us look at the Malaysian FA Cup Round of 16, which throws up some interesting fixtures.
Interesting is indeed the word as the state of both the Malaysian Super League and Premier League have been marred by inconsistent performances all around. A lot of huffing and puffing to go, but expect issues to be ironed out after six or seven games.
The biggest clash of this round is Lions XII hosting Pahang.
The Lions have had two great results, a stoppage time bullet header from Khairul Amri that sealed all three points at home to Selangor, before an inspired comeback from two goals down against league favourites Johor Darul Takzim 1.
Into the knockout stage, expect Fandi Ahmad's troops to make life very difficult for Pahang.
The team from the East Coast have proven to be unpredictable but do look out for young Hafiz Kamal in central midfield. A slick passer of the ball who never backs down from a battle (and yes, two qualities that do not go hand in hand), Hafiz's left peg can prove decisive.
Decisive again is the word when we look at the Pablo Aimar-inspired Johor Darul Takzim 1 as they seek early season revenge over T-Team.
The team from Terengganu stunned the Johoreans 1-0 in Kuala Terengganu. So, this presents an early opportunity for manager Cesar Gimenez to readjust tactically and claim a morale-boosting turnaround after that “limpless” performance in their Super League clash.
As for Aimar, it has been money well spent by the Southern Tigers, with him completely dictating play when on the pitch. It is a pity, however, as physical requirements of Southeast Asia are taxing on footballers not used to the climate.
The Northern Derby brings Kedah and Perlis together again and after the 4-1 thrashing at Darul Aman, expect another spanking as Kedah certainly have shown their pedigree.
This Kedah team has a nice mix of young and the experience, Khyril Muhymeen certainly seems like the only local striker of note who starts regularly for his team in the Super League right now.
And last but not least, bad boys Sime Darby will aspire to keep all eleven players on the pitch in an all-Premier League FA Cup clash against Felda United.
To get one player sent off is difficult at any level, but a double send off is suicide. Let's see if cooler heads prevail in what is sure to be a well-drilled match.
Solskjaer gets a Brazilian
Moving a lot further west, to Wales to be more specific, just what was Ole Gunnar Solskjaer thinking of when he signed fullback Fabio da Silva from Manchester United?
One half of perhaps the most un-Brazilian twins in European football, Fabio has most resembled Wes Brown instead of Daniel Alves, whom he was projected to develop into.
Having been at Manchester United for five years and playing just 56 games in all competitions, Solskjaer will be hoping he can coax the best out of the still young Brazillian (23 years of age).
When the twins arrived in England at the age of eighteen, it seems that they have had the composure on the ball of Brazilians coached out of them, replaced by a rather more traditional view on fullbacks in the United Kingdom. Now, the twins just kick anything that moves! Hopefully for Solskjaer's sake, this move works out.
A simple "you are Brazilian" reminder every day might do the trick!
Bottom-of-the-table Cardiff City will take on Norwich City tonight (11pm).
At the other end, new table-toppers Manchester City have got a home date with third-place Chelsea on Monday night (4am, Tuesday morning).
My prediction... well, how about this, 0-0 at the Etihad? Jose Mourinho parks the bus and goes home claiming Chelsea were the better team.
Seriously though, the Chelsea manager's only hope is for Manchester City to have a complete off-day. And these things can happen in football.
However, a dominating performance for Manchester City will only help strengthen their title credentials and pulling one over Jose Mourinho would surely please Manuel Pellegrini.
Over at the Serie A this weekend, a Juventus versus Inter Milan clash would have set the pulse racing mere seasons ago, however, watching Inter has been like watching paint dry this season.
If there are a few Manchester United fans who think Sir Alex Ferguson did not leave much behind for David Moyes, consider this, Mourinho left Inter with nought.
Despite winning the UEFA Champions League title, Mourinho has always been best with extracting top performances from senior and experienced players, not a growing team filled with youth potential.
Expect Juventus to seal all three points. Perhaps there will be many Manchester United fans watching too as they ponder how Paul Pogba would have looked alongside Michael Carrick in this current Red Devils squad, and rue the day he was let go. – February 1, 2014.
* This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insider.
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