MMU Inquisition: Can Magnificent F&F Go All The Way?

Faizal So'od asks the question on every MMU fan's lips: can F&F win the Champions League?

It's been only two short years since F&F was established and lifted the MMU League trophy, but the pressure to win silverware is highly anticipated by our captain Samir Aie and most of our fans due to the experience and the capability we possessed to win championship.

Following our last match against Dettol FC, a dull 1-1 draw, proved that teams are not afraid to go out and attack us anymore. We need to step up our next game if we are to win Champions League. Our next match against Cyberheat will be a big test for us against a physical opponent as we are also are tough in physical as they are. It will be an interesting match up to look forward to.


The Case For

First of all, F&F's midfield and defending play was for the most part a joy to watch.Wan, missing from the first game, came back into the side for Hamka, and immediately set about showing the world exactly why the F&F are so keen to tie him down for the rest of his career. Aie, too, was integral; and even Zul K, the 'straight man' of the midfield trio, was afforded the time and space to drive forward, something he did with aplomb.

Then there are the defence. Bad news first: despite Nabeel's brilliantly defending, it was not a convincing performance, and there remain question marks over his form. As far as we know, he is better than that. Still, he's too valuable to the them and add depth to the current squad.

Samir Aie's men, then, were absolutely rampant in the first half, displaying no end of confidence - at a time when they were accused of having lost their nerve, no less. In previous seasons such a fight-back after weeks of poor form would have been unlikely; this time it was expected.

The Case Against

Yet there remain problems. The big, fat, "1" on the scoreboard indicates that all is not well defensively. The injury situation is considerable: Boynaldo, having a renaissance season, is sorely missed, with Riza's positioning looking increasingly erratic, and Nabeel's style, while earnest and energetic, lacking any level of finesse. Out on the left, Nadum, of whom I have been a staunch defender over the last two years, is reaching the end of the line. As for Azim, well, that's been done to death; suffice to say he remains less than world-class, which is what F&F need.

Then there is the concern of squad depth. We know how the defence will be toiled without Nadeem; and one need only look back to the first game to see how the midfield fared without Wan. Hamka, to be fair to him, is exceedingly old, and very talented, but one cannot expect a player of his relative experience to drive a three-man midfield towards a MMU glory. Similarly, it doesn't take a world-class pundit to see what becomes of the forward line when they lacking striking force.

With the gap in the group not what it once was, and ill-fated attempts at rotation (such as in the draw with Dettol FC) ending in more dropped points, Aie hasn't the luxury of being able to rest players for continental competition. Instead, 'ironman' play from the key players is exactly what is required if this F&F side are to fulfil their potential - and they do have the potential to go all the way.

Know Da Players: Azry Mohamed

Azry Mohammed a.k.a Boi a.k.a Boy Beckham a.k.a Boynaldo is a happy go lucky guy who likes to have fun,make jokes(only some are funny though), partayyy till late and enjoys photography as a hobby and part time job.

Everyone knows that Boi is the biggest fan of David Beckham. That's the reason he is wearing the number 7 for his jersey, and also a die hard Man. Utd. fan. Boi kick-start his career with Sayur United where he played several positions such as Right Back,Right Wing and Striker but his preferred role is the Right Wing.



Boi has won every major tournament there are in MMU with all the teams he has played. Other than Sayur United, teams such as MR32,Kayu FC, Team Boy,Tak Kesah FC and now playing for F&F. Even though he has been successful with his team, Coach Faizal 'Botak' continue to ignore his talent by not selecting him for the MMU Uni-league squad.

Boi is a fast player and he can cross the ball as far as Beckham's and he has the determination that every coach wants in their players with never-say-die attitude but he lacks the technique and dribbling skill. Luck was not at his side when he injured his left knee during a friendly match with his childhood friends few years ago. He had to go under the knife to fix his knee and since then Boi can't play at the same aptitude anymore.

This season, his niggling knee has not help him much to break into the first team. In the last match against Dettol FC he started as a striker but changed to right wing later in the match but he did not get to perform well because he was injured when he got a hard tackle from the opposition and carried on to play till full time.

Match Report: All square between F&F and Black Wolf

The match which was expected to be an exciting one was ruined by bad decisions by the referee and his assistants.

The news about F&F's 4 new signings going to make appearance in this match was left with disappointment as Eski Raul, Mido and Francis Martins did not get their work permit done before the dateline for today's match. Only Det-co 'Mat Lam' managed to make his debut and surprisingly was early upon arrival to the field.

Dettol FC managed to get an early goal when Azim 'Kain Pelekat' was judged by the linesman to catch the ball outside his penalty box. It was moments of confusion for the ref because the line is not visible to anyone and F&F argued the decision but the ref stand firm with his decision to award a free kick and Azim did not get a booking for his offend. Dettol FC took advantage with that decision and scored their first goal of the season.

It was game on for F&F after conceding the early goal which the midfields kept on blazing the ball towards the Black Wolf's defend but this time their defends were playing better than before by making fewer mistakes. F&F managed to get 2 clear chances when Abby managed to dribble past the defence on the left and shot straight to the goalie whereas the other chance came when Wan blazed a killer ball for Zul Rossi but he miscued his shot wide off the post.

In the second half, Dettol FC defending most of the time in their half but managed to get shots and corners tru their counter attacks but not the 2nd goal they were hunting for. The ref continued to make more questionable decision by giving advantage instead of penalty to F&F when Zul Rossi was fouled inside the box. F&F players were furious with that decision and Zul K and Nadom Onuoha earned themselves a booking each for protesting against the decision.

Det-co 'Mat Lam' was introduced half way in the second half and indirectly created the equalizer when his shot was stopped by Zul K, then got past the last man and broke the deadlock in the closing minutes of the match. This game has again shown that F&F needs clinical finisher up front. With the result tied at 1-1, both teams desperate to get 3 points for their next game against Cyber Heat.

Match Preview: Black Wolf BBQ for Birthday Boys

Fire&Flames VS Dettol FC
MMU Field Kickoff:1745

F&F will aim to organize a Black Wolf BBQ this evening.

F&F vs Dettol FC is the much awaited match for this week since it was postponed 3 weeks ago. Both teams are still looking for their 1st win of the tournament with the Black Wolf, wounded from the blaze by Phlamze 2-0 last week, try to not roast themselves for F&F's BBQ party. They are desperate to win this encounter to boost the team's morale which was low since their mediocre performance last week.

In the meantime, F&F wants to win this highly tensioned match for their skipper, Samir Aie and Det-co "Mat Lam" to give both of them a belated birthday gift. F&F will hope that the lack of match practice for most their players whom are not in the MMU team would not affect their performance today because it was a month since their last match.


F&F is also set to unleash 4 debutants: Mido(FW), Francis Martins(FW), Eski Raul(WG) and Det-co'Mat Lam'(DM) to improve the attacking department which is major weakness for the team. Eski Raul has arrived from Australia this morning but is still not confirmed whether he will make an appearance due to work permit arrangements that is taking longer than expected and Det himself synonym to his nickname, Mat Lam could be arriving late to the field today.

F&F finally have their full squad and there are no excuses not to score goals with their new imports upfront and wins matches from today onwards.

Abby wants to finish career with F&F

Abby Ashraff has moved to end speculation about his future by insisting he wants to stay with F&F until the end of his career.



ABBY: Enjoying his life with ex-international teammate Bambang

The press have been quick to link the Indonesian international with a move to Staff FC after the club failed to land Ameer from Dettol in January.

Staff owner Faizal So'od was quoted as saying "I want to work with Abby soon, because he makes me love Staff FC again" but it appears he is unlikely to get his wish.

Abby, who started out as MMU student and end up as a lecturer in MMU 6 years ago, told Indo newspaper Kartu: "If it were up to me, I would stay at F&F until I finish my career. I will stay as long as they want me and no club can persuade me to do the opposite.''

The 30-year-old is being strongly tipped to perform this season and improve on his stamina and strength. He finished second last in the fitness test, to Fahrul. But the player insists he will improves on his fitness level.

"I never think about personal recognition,'' he said. "For me, it is more important to think about F&F, to win titles. It would be good, but I'm not obsessed about it. I only want to be fit, do my job in the best possible way.

"I am lucky, I live by my passion and there are a lot of people who work, doing what they don't like and are badly paid for that.

"Every day I feel thankful for the luck that I have and for the opportunity to play with the the team-mates I have at F&F and in the international side.''

F&F Tell Ferdinadeem To Lose Weight - Report

The Pakistan international has been told he risks losing his place in the F&F side if he does not step-up his training...



According to a report in the MMU tabloid, F&F manager Samir Aie has warned defender Ferdinadeem he may not play again this season unless he loses weight.

Apparently, Fire and Flames recently gave all their playing staff fitness checks and the 25-year-old was shown to be too heavy.

It is claimed that the Pakistan international has too much body fat and has been told to up his training regime in order to make the first-team squad.

Should F&F decide to drop Ferdinadeem, his absence would be sorely missed. He is the club's best defender last season, keeping solid defend and clean sheet on the road to final.