TO say Malaysian football is in a state of flux is an understatement.

Interest remains high in the domestic M-League, at least in the successful teams, but the international side is the cause of much hand-wringing if not national embarrassment.

The side slipped to its lowest international ranking in history last year -153 – and that came after the August 2006 FIFA rankings placed Malaysia at 148, behind Antigua & Barbuda and Sri Lanka, a fact that sparked a nationwide furore and, believe it or not, parliamentary discussion.

How the “mighty” has fallen since Malaysia was among the continent’s top sides in the 1970s, winning two South-East Asian Games gold medals, reaching the final rounds of the 1976 and 1980 Asian Cup, and qualifying for the 1972 and 1980 Olympic Games.

Malaysia has limited on-field expectations for 2007, hoping merely to avoid embarrassment as it makes a first-round exit in what coach Norizan Bakar has labelled, wait for it, a "group of death".

The size of the task facing Malaysia, the lowest-ranked side in the finals, is illustrated by the fact that it was defeated in friendlies against A-League sides Sydney FC and Central Coast mariners earlier this year.

Indra Putra Mahayuddin, who caused headlines for all the wrong reasons in early 2006, when he tested positive for marijuana, is among Malaysia’s best players.

A noted goal scorer for club and country, he will have to perform if Malaysia is cause its fans even a measure of cheer.

FIFA ranking (June 2007): 149
Asia ranking (June 2007): 26
Qualifying record: Automatic qualifier as co-host
Asian Cup record: Group stage 1976, 1980
Coach: Norizan Bakar
Star man: Indra Putra Mahyuddin

Malaysia Cup Squad
Azizon Kadir (Negeri Sembilan Naza), Suffian Abdul Rahman (Telekom Malaka FC); Kaironnisam Sahabuddin Hussain (UPB FC MyTeam), Hamzani Omar (Johor Pasir Gudang), Fauzie Nan (Perlis), Nazrulerwan Makmor (PKNS), K. Nanthakumar (Perak), V. Thirumurugan (Pahang), Rosdi Talib (Pahang), Aidil Zafuan Radzak (Negeri Sembilan Naza); Hardi Jaafar (Telekom Malaka FC), Norhafiz Zamani Misbah (Pahang), Ivan Yusoff (Kuala Lumpur), Fadzli Saari (Selangor), Shahrulnizam Mustapha (Perak), Eddy Helmi Manan (Johor FC), Nor Farhan Muhammad (Terangganu), Fauzi Shaari (Kedis), Shukor Adan (Selangor); Akmal Rizal Ahmad Rakhli (Selangor), Safee Sali (Selangor), Indra Putra Mahyuddin (Pahang), Hairuddin Omar (Pahang).

Source : By Andy Withers
FOXSPORTS.com.au