Showing posts with label Malaysian Football. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Malaysian Football. Show all posts

Malaysian Football: What Is The Problem With Youth Development In Malaysia


Hello Guys, i was watching Bola Mamak on Astro SuperSport the other day and they were discussing about the importance of youth developments to football in Malaysia. I was immediately inspired to write this piece. Thanks for reading and please feel free to start a discussion below there.

Cheers!
Keeshaanan Sundaresan

There has always been heated discussions and debates on how Malaysia could progress in World Football. Numerous suggestions and opinions have been raised on this topics. But it has all ended in never-ending debates that has literally made no difference to the state of the Malaysian Football.

But perhaps there is one fundamental way that everybody in Malaysia would agree. YOUTH DEVELOPMENT. But lets get the idea right here first. WHAT IS YOUTH DEVELOPMENT ALL ABOUT?

Youth Development is basically getting the current crop of youths to play and develop themselves on different aspects through football. It's the idea of continuously producing footballers for the future of World Football.

Barcelona are known worldwide for their successful youth development system that has produced elite players like Iniesta and Xavi. So, how do we produce top quality athletes here in Malaysia?

Well, i have not seen any proper system introduced by the Malaysian Government yet so i am going to take them out of the equation for now. But private companies and groups have been trying to cement an effective grassroot programme here. Numerous academies have been developed and quite a number of teenagers have got the chance. But what i would like to stress here is that talents are ultimately being wasted. Why do i say so?

The current situation in Malaysia is pretty simple to define. It is absolutely true that there are talent developers in school level. Coaches have been implemented in schools to train students in the school football team and as for that process, it is a good one because true talents can be spotted. However, what happens to this crop of talents once they finish school?

Pretty simple again. It's either they get picked up by the state youth team or else they are simply GONE. It is understandable that the State Youth teams cannot accommodate hundreds of players but there has to be a chance for some of this undeveloped talent.

There has to be a program or other alternatives for the crop of youngsters who were 'not good enough' for the youth teams of Perak, Selangor and etc. Because ability can always be developed, passion is something that grows within themselves. I am pretty sure that lots of passionate young kids were deprived of some good footballing opportunity just because they are deemed to be 'NOT GOOD ENOUGH' by some committee who i doubt even have any proper qualification in scouting players.

Another major reason is the attitude of parents. This is something even i have experienced personally. But i do not blame the parents for this. I blame the education system for this. Orange Man mentioned about a kid getting sick of her Sundays. Well, that is the situation here in Malaysia. Kids are being taught to pass examinations rather than how to face the world. Students are under pressure to perform in their examinations if they want a 'GOOD' future. With the level of competition among students rising every year, even the Parents are also affected and as a result, they tend to got for BOOKS rather than BOOTS.

Therefore, there is no point in debating whether parents should change their attitude or not because as long as the EDUCATION SYSTEM in Malaysia remains the same, their attitude WILL never change. Again i repeat, i do not blame the parents because they are forced to be like that.

Therefore, Youth Development in Malaysia has had numerous problems from different sources. Implementation of it is not a problem but CREATING a successful one has always been a problem.

In Conclusion, I believe that as long as the fundamental issues involving schools and its system are not sorted out, we will never be able to produce qualities in the same level as the MAJOR ASIAN POWERHOUSES in football.





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Time to go abroad?


The moment the final whistle blew the sign of victory for Malaysia, one question popped up in my head. Where do we go from this? What is going to be our pathway. We can't stay in this gruesome dreamland forever. There has to be continuity of progresion.

I thought of what our next aim should be. World Cup? NO. Winning the Asian Cup? NO. Qualifying for the Asian Cup? YES! Exactly! That is what we should all be aiming for. I know that we should always aim to dream big but we should also insert some elements of realisticness into it as well. Come on. We can conquer the Asia at this level. More progress is needed.

So, the question that pops up is how do achieve the progress needed to go up a level. I believe that there is a way. We have the skills. We have the determination. We have the age on our side too. Now its time we put in our players to battle the top players week in week out. Its time for them to go up a level and compete with thes best in Asia. Its not easy to increase the standards of our league in a short time.

Thats why i believe its time our players leave the country and play for a league abroad. Why do i say so? Because, the leagues in European countries like Germany, Switzerland, Slovakia are all competetive and they play high quality football. Yes, we have sent the youth team for a couple of stints in Slovakia but believe me when i say, 'friendly games' aren't really competetive matches. Players like Safee Sali can definitely improve his game standards and learn how to cope when we face opposition with higher physical strength.

Our defenders earned lots of praise from people of all walks of life for their brave performances but can they maintain that same level when they face stronger Asian teams like Japan or South Korea who are both physically stronger. Experience will help. Thats the reason why all these young players should seize their chances when they get an opportunity to play overseas.

yes, not all of them will get overseas offers. What i am saying here is, those players who get, should really go and give it a shot. And they must eliminate this homesick feelings and stuff. Always remeber that you are carriyiong the whola nation's trust and hope on your shoulders and it will drive you towards success.

Last but not least, do not think of past overseas stints that ended in failure like Akhmal Rizal, but plan and write the future that is looking really really bright for our Malaysian Football.

Play with heart, Win with style.

Cheers,
Keeshaanan Sundaresan
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Harimau Malaya signal their strong intent


Last night was a beautiful night for all Malaysians as we litereally tore Indonesia apart with 3 goals in 12 minutes in the second half.

The encounter at Bukit Jalil was a feisty one despite being marred by some idiotic acts by some section of people clad in black and yellow. The Bukit Jalil Stadium was jam-packed and provided the perfect atmosphere to cheer the Malaysian team to victory.

From the first whistle, Malaysia took the game by their strides a controlled the dynamics of the game. Kunalan and Amirul Hadi were a threat down the flanks and the combination of Nor Shahrul and Safee Sali was looking encouraging. They played some good football but were unable to find the breakthrough in the final third. Indonesia meanwhile did have their chances but they too squandered it when it mattered the most. The two Malaysian centre backs, Muslim and Fadhli did well by containing the Indonesian threat in the form of Christian Gonzales and did not give him much space to operate.

In the second half, the game was brought to an abrupt standstill as the Indonesian players left the field after being shone by lasers in their eyes. The game resumed after 8 minutes and the Malaysian players ran riot immediately. Indonesia had an opportunity to take the lead but after some good defending, Malaysia launched ahead. Nor Shahrul showed great determination and skill to get the ball back at the byline and advanced a little before placing a pass for Safee Sali whose shot gave Malaysia the lead in the 61st minute. Within 6 minutes, Malaysia scored again. This time through Ashaari. Once again it was Nor Shahrul with all the hardwork and provided an assist into the penalty box and the advancing Ashaari executed the shot with perfection to extend Malaysia's lead. That wasnt the end for Malaysia. There was another one to come and boy oh boy did it come fantastically. Kunalan did some good work down the flanks and gave the ball to Mahali and when he put in an astounding cross for Safee Sali, the latter couldnt have done better than what he did to give Malaysia a 3-0 lead.

Favourites Indonesia now have a considerable task ahead of them in the return leg at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in Jakarta on Wednesday. It was an almost perfect day for Malaysian Football except that embarssing laser incident.

As a football fan, i hope we will not see those incidents being repeated in the 2nd leg and i have always belived in eliminating Hooliganism from Football. Lets just enjoy the occasion at Indonesia and for all Malaysians, lets pray that we hold on to our huge advantage and define history on that day.

Remember... Forget the past, Write the future
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Harimau Malaya ready to roar!


FINAL. Thats the only thing that is running in my mind now. It was one of those little moments when i was literally ecstatic about a game which ended in a stalemate.

On Saturday, History was made for Malaysia. Not because we progressed to the final. Its because i felt we played a very good tactical game after seeing numeros occassions end in dissapointment during the past few years. Credit definitely goes to K. rajagopal. He has installed that much needed discipline in our malaysian boys.

I have always believed that players have to fight to earn the Malaysian shirt. Rajagopal would have stressed on that as well because all the players seem more commited than ever. This is something i have been eager to see in out Malaysian Team.

K. Rajagopal was tactically spot on in the match against Vietnam. They went to Hanoi with a gameplan and although there were some nervy moments, they still executed the plan to perfection. They managed to contain a very determined vietnamese team and managed to keep them at bay. It was an inspiring and impressive performance from the lads.

Now, its time for revenge as we take on Indonesia in the final. It will be played over two legs on the 26th and 29th of December. The atmosphere in Indonesia will be intimidating but i believ ou players will make us proud by accomplishing something fantastic. Regardless of the result on that day, i will still be proud of our very own Football Team as they would really work their socks off on the day. But, i have faith that the Harimau Malaya will roar on the day when it all matters.


Forget the past, Write the future!

Cheers!
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A Malaysian Dream of mine


I have been a Malaysian since i have born. But i have had this one dream which i have been keeping inside myself for a long time because it might look ridiculous to others. But now i have made a decision to reveal this particular dream. Its easy to mention but hard to achieve.

MY MALAYSIAN DREAM IS TO SEE MALAYSIA IN THE WORLD CUP ONE DAY.

Malaysia has produced numerous world class athletes in a variety of sports and many if them have went on to rule the game as the best. But, there is a sport that has been suffering. Our football team.

Malaysia used to be an Asian powerhouse at one time with legendary players like Santokh Singh, the ever known Mokhtar Dahari, Soh Chin Aun. These were tha players that played with their heart and won with style. They played each and every match as though it was going to be their last and teams like Japan and Korea used to shiver at the name of Malaysia. We were the team to beat in Asia and times were great for out national football team at time.

But 30 years later, we are now finding it hard to even compete at South East Asia Level. What has gone so wrong that we condemned to withstand this agony? What have we done wrong? MANY THINGS!. Some of them which i do not wish to reveal here. Malaysian football definitely deserves better.

Every 4 years, a fever spreads around the world. The FIFA World Cup fever. What do we see here in Malaysia? People of all walks of life getting together and enjoying the sport, but with an England shirt on them. Or a Brazil shirt. Or even a Japan shirt. But, we can't blame them. We do not have a choice. I believe if Malaysia were to participate in the world cup, every single individual in Malaysia will be clasped in Yellow and Black.

For my dream to become a reality, we will have to start by first conquering South East Asia. We need to go step by step. Remember, A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.

I believe we have already taken the first step by appointing K Rajagopal as Malaysian Football coach. He looks to be master tactician and always does his best to bring out the best in whatever squad he has. Recently, there has been several positives signs for our Malaysian football. We won the SEA Games medal. We beat the South Korean Olympic team. we have been playing quite well. Now we're even a whisker away from booking a place in the 2010 AFF Suzuki Cup.

But the most importantly, the players have to keep their feet on the ground even if they achive success. As the journey has not reached the conclusion. It's still far. We need to keep working hard with a positive attitude and keep believing in our team. I understand there is some problems with the Highed Board, but for now, lets focus on developing our football quality.

As a proud Malaysian, there is nothing else that can make me proud than seeing Malaysian battling the best at a World Cup tournament. Once we achieve it, a new era begins. A new mission begin. TO WIN IT.

Forget the past, Write the future!
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