PETALING JAYA: A stronger league is needed to form a solid national team, says Harimau Malaya chief executive officer (CEO) Rob Friend.
Friend said the Malaysian League (M-League) must be given serious attention to make it more competitive, as ultimately, the national team are composed of players from the Super League.
“To me, this country is a sleeping giant, and I’m excited to be a part of it. But it will take time,” said Friend.
“My job here is to look at the big picture – from youth development to the player pathway and the overall state of the league.
“Ultimately if you don’t have a strong league, it’s very difficult to build a strong national.
“We need the league to be stronger and better, allowing players to improve daily in a more competitive training environment,” he said.
National team head coach Peter Cklamovski echoed Friend’s sentiments, noting that the league lags behind domestic leagues in other Asian countries.
“That’s my opinion, but it’s also backed up by data. When you compare the physical statistics of game across Asian leagues, Malaysia rank very low.
“Match minutes are limited, which can lead to slower and less exciting game.
“Leagues in Vietnam and Thailand operate at a higher tempo, with more match minutes and greater intensity.
“I’ve seen the evidence first hand, and it’s something we need to address and improve,” said Cklamovski.
The Australian head coach will take charge of his first match with Harimau Malaya when they face Nepal in the third round of the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers on March 25 at the Sultan Ibrahim Stadium.
