It was a big night for the Malaysian team as they go head to head with the English club giant, Chelsea FC during their Samsung Chelsea Asia Tour to Malaysia. The event was jointly organised by FAM and ProEvents.

Getting to the stadium was quite a hassle, especially when the traffic starts building up from the Subang toll all the way to the stadium. By the time I reached the stadium, it was already crowded with fans dressed up in blue and yellow and the entrance queue was exceptionally long. It was definitely more happening at that time than during the AFC Asian Cup back in July 2007.

The game kicks off on time and here are the photos:

It was quite a surprise to see the stadium almost filled up. I got the opportunity to be on the field and be on the front seat to watch the match, behind a camera

For those who really wants know how it’s like, watching football at the corner of the field. Here’s how it looks like. Click on the photo below for bigger view.

Click for bigger image

Even though it was a training session for the Blues, the stadium was crowded with fans all dressed up in blue. It was already quite crowded when I got there around 6.30pm.

Although not the entire squad shown up on this tour but it was good enough with some of their iconic players such as captain John Terry, Frank Lampard, Michael Ballack, Petr Cech, Joe Cole, Andriv Shevchenko, Malouda and many more to get their fans screaming and shouting.

I was with my colleague and we managed to get a photo opportunity with Michael Ballack. Too bad I’m the cameraman, I can’t be in the picture

Now DO NOT be mistaken, I’m NOT a Chelsea fan. I’m still cheering for Man U for now.

I’m there not to meet the players, but a hero from the 2002 World Cup, Brazilian coach Luis Felipe Scolari.

He led the Brazilian national team (which is also my favourite national team) to victory in the 2002 World Cup. He was also the head coach of the Portuguese national team between 2003 and 2008 taking them to the final of Euro 2004 and fourth place at the 2006 World Cup.

While the rest are pushing around trying hard to snap photos with the players, I took my time taking a photo opportunity with one of my favourite coach, Luis Felipe Scolari.

Will be posting more photos from tonight’s match. See ya!

Tags: chelsea fc, luis felipe scolari, frank lampard, john terry, michael ballack, shevchenko

The International Muay Thai Superfights came to Malaysia bringing along a group of fighters from all around the globe. The highlight of this event was the Malaysian Super 4 Contender Asia 2 Qualifier. Four Malaysian fighters fought each other with knees and elbow just to be the next Malaysian fighter in next addition of Contender Asia.

It was quite a surprise and exciting when YODSAENKLAI, the winner of Contender Asia, went onto the ring to give a short…very short speech. Now, he’s The Man that beat 15 other tough fighters from around the world to be the CHAMPION of Contender Asia.

The line-up for the event was rather interesting. 8 fighters battled out in the World Inter-Continental Grand Prix and 4 others battled out in the Malaysian SUPER 4 to be the next fighter to represent Malaysia in next addition of Contender Asia.

WORLD INTER-CONTINENTAL CHAMPIONSHIPS

MATCH ONE: ABBAS ‘HARDMAN’ AHMADI vs ZIDOV ‘AKUMA’ DOMINIK
Iranian Abbas ‘Hardman’ Ahmadi fought against Zidov ‘Akuma’ Dominik from Switzerland. Both are skillful fighters but the Iranian was a much more agressive than Zidov.

Although Zidov did not make it easy for Abbas, the Iranian was hailed as champion by total count of points from the judges.

MATCH TWO: OLIVIA JACKSON vs TIANA ‘TIGER’ CAVERLY
Match two was for the ladies. Olivia Jackson from South Africa took on Aussie Tiana ‘Tiger’ Caverly and it was packed with hard-hitting actions.

Tiana, who worked in the army and the police force gave the part-time model, Olivia Jackson a fight to remember. Tiana was given a TKO after the referee called off the match.

MATCH THREE: KIM KAHN ZAKI ‘ZIG ZACH’ vs LEONARDO ‘AMENDOIM’ MONTEIRO
Before the match, when I was outside the venue, I overheard many people talking about this fighter who came from Brazil. I did not know who he was and I still do not know who he is now. But Leonardo Monteiro is one tough cookie  to beat. He only started Muay Thai 5 years ago and he’s been giving everyone else a tough time ever since.  Leonardo fought Kim Khan Zaki of Singapore. Nicknamed ‘Zig Zach’, he was one of the fighter from Contender Asia.

It was an exciting match, a lot of spinning elbows and backhand punches. Leonardo defeated Zach on a TKO after the referee called off the match because Zach’s right shoulder popped out of its socket twice during the match.

MATCH FOUR: SEAN WRIGHT vs SIRICHAI ‘SINGHA’ SIRI
This match was the most exciting match of all. Scottish fighter Sean Wright took on a Thai fighter Sirichai ‘Singha’ Siri for the WMC title. Sean, who is also a fighter from Contender Asia proved to be the tougher guy as he took on Sirichai to a bloody end.

The referee too gave Sean the advantage of a TKO at the very last minute of the very last round as Sirichai was bleeding profusely despite his attempt to continue fighting.

MALAYSIAN SUPER 4 CONTENDER ASIA QUALIFIER

MATCH ONE: BERNARD ‘HEADHUNTER’ RADIN vs TENGKU SHARIZAL
The Malaysian SUPER 4 fights started off with the match between Bernard ‘Headhunter’ Radin versus Tengku Sharizal from Polis Di-Raja Malaysia. Bernard is a veteran in the martial art arena and proved himself to be more dominating against Tengku Sharizal, who got sweeped off the ground again and again by Bernard.

However, the undefeated Tengku Sharizal did not give up easily and put on a great fight to bring the match to a tie. The extra round saw Bernard struggling against the younger and more fitter Tengku Sharizal. Tengku Sharizal still remains undefeated after that match.

MATCH TWO: HASHIM RAMLI vs KHOO ‘RED DRAGON’ MENG YANG
19 year old Hashim Ramli was the youngest fighter that night and he fought against the Red Dragon, who is also veteran with 21 wins under his belt. Khoo ‘the Red Dragon’ Meng Yang did not take it slow and immediately put Hashim lying down on the floor with a powerful punch in the first round.

That however, was not good enough. Hashim managed to keep himself on his feet till the end of 3rd round, which ends up in a tie. The extra round saw Hashim Ramli winning the match to proceed to the final match against Tengku Sharizal. Honestly, I strongly feel this match was rigged. The Red Dragon was kicking Hashim’s ass but somehow it ended up as a tie. It was impossible. Sigh.

FINAL MATCH: TENGKU SHARIZAL vs HASHIM RAMLI
The final match to determine who will be the fighter from Malaysia in Contender Asia 2. It was Tengku Sharizal against Hashim Ramli. This match however did not last very long, Tengku Sharizal, who won against Bernard earlier, brought Hashim tumbling down like a giant.

Hashim, who was already badly beaten by the Red Dragon earlier just couldn’t take it anymore and accepted the defeat. Tengku Sharizal remains undefeated and will be the next fighter to represent Malaysia in the next round of Contender Asia.

Tags: muay thai, kickboxing, international muay thai superfights, yodsaenklai, contender asia