Four wishes for the Super League this year

KIDS, as they grow up, have wishes, filled with lots of dreams and hopes. As someone who writes about sports, I am sometimes like a kid, too – with visions for the future, especially for the Malaysia Super League.

Here are some things I would love to see this season.

> Eye-pleasing football and tactical battles

Every coach in the Super League has his own methods, but with the arrival of national coach Kim Pan-gon, we have been treated to aggressive and quick thinking football.

Our clubs must replicate this. From plain old tactical discipline to modern possession football, the sport teaches you a lot and makes you wonder what more can be done to enhance the game.

We know Nafuzi Zain will want his Kedah boys to play possession football and score beautiful goals. Selangor fans will realise that Tan Cheng Hoe wants his charges to play football and keep it simple. Any trickery would draw the ire of the usually calm coach.

Then, we have perennial champions Johor Darul Ta’zim with their bravado on the field, which is consistently elevated by their brilliant minds. Not to forget K. Devan with his tactical nous and ability to frustrate opponents.

Time-wasting should be reduced too. Coaches and players need to realise that the quality of the game would be stunted by these antics.

> Dear referees, no more controversies

Last season, officiating stole the limelight and the clamour for the video-assistant referees (VAR) is growing. It could be done by the end of this season but until then, we need the referees to be consistent with their decisions on the field.

Enough of strange offside calls, questionable cards and also reactions towards players and coaches. Refereeing brings its own pressures but if done with composure and dignity, it will also bring respect from fans.

I am also hopeful that the Football Association of Malaysia can expedite the Malaysia Professional Referee System (MProRS). FAM deputy president Datuk S. Sivasundram, who is also the Referees’ Committee chairman, said they hope to have two professional referees this year.

If that happens, it could raise refereeing standards.

> No more salary snags

This is one major problem that plagues the league. Teams have to step up in terms of finances, especially when it comes to the welfare of those doing the the hard work on the field.

We do not want to see more like Melaka or Sarawak United, both of which have been stripped of their licence to compete in the Super League. The flip side is: the players are suffering, too. While players have to go on social media to urge their former employers to pay their dues, these so-called paymasters still have the audacity to go around like nothing happened.

The Professional Footballers Association of Malaysia (PFAM) is calling for firm action. I hope it is taken.

Those who run clubs should do so for the love of the game, not for the sake of power and to line their own pockets.

> Will somebody challenge JDT?Some years ago, if someone called the Super League a Farmers League, I would be riled, but these days I am inclined to agree. Over the years, Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) continued to grow in stature and they are now among the revered clubs in Asia.

The other clubs, though, are very inconsistent. We wish for our clubs to challenge the Southern Tigers. In fact, they, too, would love a challenge.

A challenge is going to benefit the commercial value of the league. When that happens, teams will attract talent, and television rights could quadruple, which would only benefit the clubs.

This season, I believe clubs like Selangor, Sabah and Kedah could be the main challengers for the throne. JDT are aiming for a 10th consecutive title but let’s just hope someone will come along and threaten to scupper that plan.