MyTeam
Encyclopedia
For information about the professional football club created after season 1 of the TV show, see: UPB-MyTeam FC
.
MyTeam is a Malaysian reality TV
series which aired on TV3
. The idea behind the show was to select a team of soccer
players with no professional playing experience known as "MyTeam", have them trained by top coach, and then have them play a match against the Malaysian national football team
(which MyTeam lost 2-1). Season 1 of the show aired in 2006. A second season, MyTeam2, aired in 2007 (the team from season 2 played against the Indonesian national football team
, losing 2-0). The former Malaysian national team footballer Shebby Singh
was the coach of both MyTeam and MyTeam2.
Following the success of season 1 of the show, MyTeam was subsequently invited to join the Malaysian Premier League
for the 2007 season. After merging with the existing club Perak UPB FC, MyTeam joined the league under the name UPB-MyTeam FC
. The club finished runners-up in the Premier League in 2007, and were thus promoted to the Malaysian Super League
for the 2008 season.
The series has also spawned an Indonesia
n version of the show.
and radio DJ Jason Lo
were the creators of the MyTeam concept, and served as the Executive Producers of the show. The idea was to have 22 non-professional players selected from trials held across Malaysia competing against the Malaysian national squad, with the selection and training of the team being track through the show's broadcasts. The show was launched through an event at Kuala Lumpur Planet Hollywood, and was hailed as a football revolution. A massive media campaign was launched to generate interest for trials and the match itself. Former Malaysian national team footballer Shebby Singh was engaged to be the team's coach.
Trials were held in all 13 Malaysian states, and the top three trialists from each state were called to a final round of trials at Bukit Jalil
. From a total of 39 players selected from each state, 22 were selected to be squad members of MyTeam.
(FAM) likened MyTeam to a packet of instant noodles
.
There was also an element of mystery as there was a fair amount of speculation over the "national team" that would show up to play MyTeam. Some speculated that the FAM would send its under-20 side to play MyTeam. Others thought the senior Malaysian side would show up. In the end, the "Malaysia" that played MyTeam was a mixture of both the senior and under-20 sides managed by K. Rajagopal (coach for the under-20 side).
MyTeam stunned Malaysia by taking the lead first, before eventually succumbing to a 2-1 defeat. In two separate incidents that occurred between goals from both teams, MyTeam's captain and Malaysian striker Zaquan Adha were sent off.
On a positive note, the senior team won the match; but on the negative side, Malaysia managed to play badly enough against a team of amateurs to embarrass themselves.
MyTeam joined the Malaysian Premier League for the 2007 season after taking over an existing team called Perak UPB FC, competing under the name UPB-MyTeam FC. Khairy Jamaluddin and Jason Lo, who created the MyTeam show, became the President and Deputy President of UPB-MyTeam FC. The team performed well in the league, finishing runners-up and earning promotion to the Malaysian Super League for the 2008 season.
.
MyTeam2 played the Indonesian national football team on October 21. Indonesia won the match 2-0.
UPB-MyTeam FC
For information about the reality TV series, see MyTeam .UPB MyTeam Football Club is a defunct Malaysian soccer club which formerly competed in the top tier of Malaysian football, the Malaysia Super League...
.
MyTeam is a Malaysian reality TV
Reality television
Reality television is a genre of television programming that presents purportedly unscripted dramatic or humorous situations, documents actual events, and usually features ordinary people instead of professional actors, sometimes in a contest or other situation where a prize is awarded...
series which aired on TV3
TV3 (Malaysia)
Sistem Televisyen Malaysia Berhad or TV3 began broadcasting on 1 June 1984 as Malaysia’s first commercial television station. It is part of Media Prima Berhad group of companies. It now transmits opened broadcasting business private 24-hours a day, 7 days a week since 1 January 2010...
. The idea behind the show was to select a team of soccer
Football (soccer)
Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a sport played between two teams of eleven players with a spherical ball...
players with no professional playing experience known as "MyTeam", have them trained by top coach, and then have them play a match against the Malaysian national football team
Malaysia national football team
The Malaysian national football team nicknamed Harimau Malaya, as the Malayan Tiger, is the national team of Malaysia and is controlled by the Football Association of Malaysia...
(which MyTeam lost 2-1). Season 1 of the show aired in 2006. A second season, MyTeam2, aired in 2007 (the team from season 2 played against the Indonesian national football team
Indonesia national football team
The Indonesia national football team represents Indonesia in international football. It is controlled by the Football Association of Indonesia . Prior to independence in 1945, the team competed as the Dutch East Indies national football team. Under this name, Indonesia was the first Asian team to...
, losing 2-0). The former Malaysian national team footballer Shebby Singh
Shebby Singh
Serbgeth Singh is a football coach, television commentator, and former international football player from Malaysia.-Playing career:...
was the coach of both MyTeam and MyTeam2.
Following the success of season 1 of the show, MyTeam was subsequently invited to join the Malaysian Premier League
Malaysian Premier League
Malaysia Premier League is the second-tier football league in Malaysia. The league is currently named Astro Premier League Malaysia...
for the 2007 season. After merging with the existing club Perak UPB FC, MyTeam joined the league under the name UPB-MyTeam FC
UPB-MyTeam FC
For information about the reality TV series, see MyTeam .UPB MyTeam Football Club is a defunct Malaysian soccer club which formerly competed in the top tier of Malaysian football, the Malaysia Super League...
. The club finished runners-up in the Premier League in 2007, and were thus promoted to the Malaysian Super League
Malaysian Super League
The Malaysia Super League is a Malaysian professional league for association football. At the top flight of the Malaysian football league system and it is managed by the Malaysia Super League Sdn Bhd, under supervision of the Football Association of Malaysia...
for the 2008 season.
The series has also spawned an Indonesia
Indonesia
Indonesia , officially the Republic of Indonesia , is a country in Southeast Asia and Oceania. Indonesia is an archipelago comprising approximately 13,000 islands. It has 33 provinces with over 238 million people, and is the world's fourth most populous country. Indonesia is a republic, with an...
n version of the show.
Idea
Malaysian politician Khairy JamaluddinKhairy Jamaluddin
Khairy Jamaluddin Abu Bakar is a Malaysian politician, and the son-in-law of former Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi. Since 2008, Khairy has been a member of the Malaysian Parliament representing the constituency of Rembau...
and radio DJ Jason Lo
Jason Lo
Jason Lo Sei Hoi is a Malaysian music artist, music producer, DJ and entrepreneur. He is sometimes known by the nicknames "LO" and "J Lo".-Early life:...
were the creators of the MyTeam concept, and served as the Executive Producers of the show. The idea was to have 22 non-professional players selected from trials held across Malaysia competing against the Malaysian national squad, with the selection and training of the team being track through the show's broadcasts. The show was launched through an event at Kuala Lumpur Planet Hollywood, and was hailed as a football revolution. A massive media campaign was launched to generate interest for trials and the match itself. Former Malaysian national team footballer Shebby Singh was engaged to be the team's coach.
Selection
Selections trials were open to non-professional Malaysian footballers. Partipants were required to be at least 17 years of age, and had to be able to run 100 metres in less than 12 seconds.Trials were held in all 13 Malaysian states, and the top three trialists from each state were called to a final round of trials at Bukit Jalil
Bukit Jalil
Bukit Jalil is a suburb about 20 km. south of Kuala Lumpur. It is a small suburb bounded by the National Sports Complex on the east, the Shah Alam Expressway on the north, city boundaries to the west, and the Puchong-Sungai Besi Highway as well as city boundaries to the south...
. From a total of 39 players selected from each state, 22 were selected to be squad members of MyTeam.
Match
The match, held in the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil, kicked off at 8.45 pm on May 28, 2006. Prior to the match, controversy was stirred up when the Secretary-General of the Football Association of MalaysiaFootball Association of Malaysia
The Football Association of Malaysia is the governing body for football in Malaysia, responsible for organising the Malaysian national football team and the major football and futsal tournaments within the country. The Football Association of Malaysia main headquarters is located at Wisma...
(FAM) likened MyTeam to a packet of instant noodles
Instant noodles
Instant noodles are dried or precooked noodles and are often sold with packets of flavoring including seasoning oil. Dried noodles are usually eaten after being cooked or soaked in boiling water for 2 to 5 minutes, while precooked noodles can be reheated or eaten straight from the packet...
.
There was also an element of mystery as there was a fair amount of speculation over the "national team" that would show up to play MyTeam. Some speculated that the FAM would send its under-20 side to play MyTeam. Others thought the senior Malaysian side would show up. In the end, the "Malaysia" that played MyTeam was a mixture of both the senior and under-20 sides managed by K. Rajagopal (coach for the under-20 side).
MyTeam stunned Malaysia by taking the lead first, before eventually succumbing to a 2-1 defeat. In two separate incidents that occurred between goals from both teams, MyTeam's captain and Malaysian striker Zaquan Adha were sent off.
Aftermatch
The match did generate a considerable amount of interest, though many scorned the supposed "revolution of Malaysian football".On a positive note, the senior team won the match; but on the negative side, Malaysia managed to play badly enough against a team of amateurs to embarrass themselves.
MyTeam joined the Malaysian Premier League for the 2007 season after taking over an existing team called Perak UPB FC, competing under the name UPB-MyTeam FC. Khairy Jamaluddin and Jason Lo, who created the MyTeam show, became the President and Deputy President of UPB-MyTeam FC. The team performed well in the league, finishing runners-up and earning promotion to the Malaysian Super League for the 2008 season.
MyTeam2
On June 6, 2007 MyTeam2 was announced by Khairy Jamaluddin. The team selected was again coached by Shebby Singh, assisted by the UPB-MyTeam FC coach Bojan HodakBojan Hodak
Bojan Hodak, , is a former Croatian football player and current football coach-manager of UPB-MyTeam FC of the Malaysian Super League the top football division in Malaysia....
.
MyTeam2 played the Indonesian national football team on October 21. Indonesia won the match 2-0.