What are the barriers to success in football? Is it holding onto a lead or is it playing at a high
tempo? We all talk about hunger and desire but are there barriers in the current set up at Perak
that act against the real quest for victory in football games. We all discuss how big-name players
are needed to add that little bit of magic into the team.
Go back a few years and we will remember a Perak side with the likes of Keita Mandjou, Ahmad
Shahrul and Yusri Che Lah. They were all crucial players for the side at that period of time and
success always seemed compulsory rather than a target. But times did change. End of 2008
signaled financial difficulties that resulted in a major exodus of their prime star players. Worse
still, they had to cope with the retirement of their major talisman, Ahmad Shahrul Azahar.
Following English Football all this years had made me think negatively every time financial
difficulties creep into a team. Premier League fans would always remember the likes of Leeds
United and Portsmouth who have all undergone a massive downfall since crippling in the
financial battlefield out there.
Nonetheless, Perak’s difficulties was always going to be hard for fans to accept and in a split
second, it seemed like the end of the road for a club that has never been demoted to a lower
division since the professional league was introduced in 1989.
But that was never the case was it? Steve Darby left after a glorious reign at Perak which saw
them progress all the way into the AFC Cup Quarter-finals in his last season. While success was
a cliché in Steve Darby’s dictionary, time was right for a total makeover.
The only hope at that time was youth and Dato’ M. Karathu was drafted in to blend his
experience with the exciting but vulnerable youth talent at his disposal. But even the birds
that flew around Fair Park knew that it was not going to be immediate success for the Young
Seladangs. It was always going to be a long-term project.
They finished 10th in the league that season under Dato’ M. Karathu and the appointment of
Yang Mulia Raja Azlan Shah Raja Shuib did not improve the team’s standards as they finished
11th in the following season.
Well, there had to be something bright for the Seladangs right? The arrival of a new dawn
with the likes of Norizan Abu Bakar taking charge and Akhmal Rizal Rakhli who once played
for RC Strasbourg featuring in the squad ranks seemed less encouraging when they were first
announced.
Nonetheless, they have taken the Super League by storm- staying unbeaten in the league so far
( March 10th ) with impressive performances against the likes of Negri Sembilan and Pahang.
But one aspect that has impressed me so far would definitely be their style of play. They are
focusing back onto the basic football fundamentals that have improved their overall quality of
their offerings on the pitch.
Rather surprising is the maturity shown by the youth players in the team. The past two seasons
have seen Perak utilize a huge number of youth players in their first team squad. However, lack
of maturity was the obvious reason given behind their dismal performances over the last two
seasons.
So the youth of the team is unquestionable and completely objective, but whether or
not ‘maturity’ should be a factor could be torn apart in debate. They are all professionals, trained
and groomed every single day. Therefore it isn’t ability that costs them games throughout the last
two years; it is just the lack of maturity, especially in defence where they have looked vulnerable
on numerous occasions. So maturity is a massive factor but I believe that there are even some
side-factors as well. What are they?
In my opinion, there are a few important factors that have played a massive part in turning the
fortunes of a promising team.
LEADERS ARE BORN, NOT BREDLeaders are respected by those around them, and leaders often lead by example. So in footballing
terms that player has to be better than those who choose to be led by him. There are many
different leadership styles, but when the heads are down after an on field set back, or the team is
not playing well, we need individuals who can stand apart and take the team by the scruff of the
neck and get 100% out of the rest of the players.
This is what Akhmal Rizal and Chan Wing Hoong have brought to the team. Leaders are not
necessarily the captain of the team. They are ones that the whole team can look up to and idolize.
That is the aspect that has inspired the likes of Nurridzuan Abu Hassan and Nashriq Kamaruddin
who have just been integrated into the Perak First Team after excelling in the President Cup
squad.
Hard work is required by all real leaders, individuals who are able to make the right judgments
as to when they should abandon the team mentality and be ruthless and decisive and lead by
example. Something that has hugely benefited Perak this season.
CHANGING THE MINDSET OF PLAYERSWhat is the definition for a typical Perak player? How do Perak implement their brand of
football into tactics involving different players? Changing the mindset is the only solution.
In previous seasons, one tactic I rarely see employed in tight games is the natural ability of Perak
players being able to run down the clock by maintaining possession in the opponents half. We
rarely pack the box when the ball is out wide at the conclusion of an attacking movement in
contrast to the likes of Selangor and Negri Sembilan who are all ruthless in attack.
But, the whole mentality seems to be different this season. The younger players seem to be able
to hold on to the ball and be more composed in building up attacks. But the most fundamental
success is that we have more individual flair and hunger in front of goal nowadays. Razali Umar
Kandasamy and Akhmal Rizal have looked very dangerous so far this season.
SUCCESS BEGINS AT THE BACKSuccess means winning things, that is the obvious solution to creating the desire to win more
games. As I mentioned, The Seladangs have looked far more ruthless in attack this season and
even when they take the lead, they continue to press and not bask in the afterglow of scoring a
goal.
But in order for all of these to comprehend, defensive stability was needed. We needed
confidence that when we are ahead, we are able to hold onto our lead and shut the game out. This requires collective defensive experience and having good leaders like I said who understand the
importance of not conceding will translate into the team somehow rather.
This is what Norizan Abu Bakar has brought to the team. The defensive side of Perak has
improved tremendously portrayed by their unbeaten streak in the league so far.
HARDWORK IS ALWAYS THE KEY
Pressure on the ball means closing down our opponents and regaining possession. There is
energy and commitment and physically, this is very demanding. Over the past two years, fans
have always been struck by the lack of desire and fear shown by the young players in the Perak
squad.
But again, things have improved this season. The Malaysian Super League has been getting more
competitive over the years and few clubs have the playing squads that can maintain the needed
intensity for 90 minutes. Perak do have that squad now.
IN CONCLUSIONThe barriers to success are complex and this season Perak FA have shown that they have the qualities needed to be successful. The biggest difference between the previous youngsters and this crop is maturity, not ability.
All in all the whole ability of a team being an influential factor is surely a myth, Perlis have ability all over the place, look at where they are. Remember the phrase ‘Ignorance is bliss,’ well the current crops of youngsters at Perak have a lack of fear which oozes confidence, helping them excel. The maturity of the youth at Perak is what’s doing the trick and it makes for a more interesting season, so long may it continue.
