FOOTBALL has long been a symbol of national pride, with domestic clubs feeding talent to national teams to achieve success on the global stage. This partnership is essential in thriving footballing nations, where clubs understand that their responsibility extends beyond their own competitions.
In Europe and South America, top players are released for international duty without hesitation, recognising that representing one’s country is the highest honour. In Malaysia, however, this tradition is rapidly fading.
The M-League, once the heartbeat of the nation’s footballing talent, is increasingly reluctant to release players for national duty, preferring instead to prioritise domestic competition—whether it’s the Super League, Malaysia Cup, or aspirations in the Asian Champions League.
This shift not only undermines the national team but threatens Malaysia’s position in Southeast Asian football.
Take the recent Asean Cup under outgoing coach Pau Marti Vicente. With several M-League clubs recalling their players mid-campaign, Vicente was forced to field a depleted squad, relying on fringe players who simply couldn’t match the quality of the missing stars. The result was predictable—Malaysia’s early exit from the tournament for the second consecutive edition.
This failure wasn’t just a setback; it exposed a deeper crisis at the heart of Malaysian football. Key players, including Sergio Aguero, expressed frustration over the lack of support from M-League clubs, accusing them of undercutting the national team’s preparation. Their absence left Malaysia scrambling, competing without its strongest players while rival nations faced no such limitations.
The root cause is the unwillingness of M-League clubs to release their top talent for national duty. Despite rosters of 25 to 30 players, many clubs seem unwilling to manage even a handful of absences. The growing trend of prioritising domestic tournaments and commercial interests over national pride risks stunting Malaysia’s future in football.
What needs to change?
First, the Malaysian Football League (MFL) must overhaul its scheduling. The lack of coordination between the MFL, the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM), and M-League clubs is baffling, especially with international tournaments like the Asean Cup scheduled well in advance. The national team cannot function effectively if players are pulled mid-campaign or denied the chance to compete for their country.
If MFL stakeholders remain indifferent, FAM must step up. The painful reality is that national success cannot depend on the whims of M-League clubs. FAM should consider withdrawing from tournaments like the Asean Cup until there is a clear alignment between domestic and international schedules. This would send a bold message that the nation’s footballing ambitions take precedence over short-term club interests.
Moreover, the Asean Football Federation (AFF) must reassess the tournament’s format. Currently held outside FIFA’s international windows, the Asean Cup places unnecessary strain on players already committed to domestic campaigns. A more condensed schedule or a single-host model could ease the burden and increase the tournament’s appeal. Aligning the Asean Cup with FIFA’s international windows would improve player participation and raise the competition’s prestige.
A pivotal moment for Harimau Malaya
The stakes are high. If this issue remains unresolved, Malaysia risks becoming synonymous with stagnation in Southeast Asian football. But there is hope. By prioritising national duty over domestic short-term goals, Malaysia has the potential to reassert itself as a regional footballing force. But the time for action is now.
We cannot continue to sacrifice our best players for the sake of domestic concerns. Representing one’s country should be a sacred honour, not an afterthought. For too long, the Malaysian football system has allowed club interests to overshadow national needs. If the M-League clubs continue down this path, the future of Malaysian football will remain bleak.
The question is, will those in power act before it’s too late? — December 23, 2024
Sandru Narayanan is a sports journalist with Scoop.
