Soleen out to improve women’s football

PETALING JAYA: Newly appointed head coach Soleen Al-Zoubi wants to make next year’s National Women’s League (NWL) competitive after it got off to a tame start this year.

The former Jordan Football Association director of women’s football, who officially started her job as the Malayan Tigress supremo yesterday, says the players in the country have the potential but feels that they needed more competitions to grow in stature.

The NWL, similar to the men’s Super League, was introduced this year with 12 teams but it did not get off to flying start.

Next year, it will be expanded by using the home-and-away format, which is in line with the world organising body FIFA’s regulations, and would give players at least 22 quality matches.

Soleen had a chance to watch the players in action in several matches over the last two weeks and concluded that they needed more competitions.

“I saw their passion, energy and fighting spirit. In Jordan, the women are passionate about football too but there are not as many opportunities like here,” said Soleen during a press conference at Wisma FAM in Kelana Jaya.

“The players need more competitions to further improve in their game.

“Playing for six months home and away in a competitive environment will be ideal for the players and will benefit the national team,”

“I have short-term and long-term plans to empower women’s football. The short-term plan is to give more opportunities for them to join the competition. The long-term plan is to produce quality players who can represent the country,” she said.

Soleen added that she would separate the futsal and football teams. Currently, the national team players play both.

Meanwhile, Football Association of Malaysia women’s football committee head Datuk Suraya Yaacob said a team would be sent to compete in next year’s SEA Games in Cambodia after deciding against sending one for the Vietnam SEA Games this year.