PETALING JAYA: For Malaysian footballers dreaming to reach great heights in Asia, Japan could be the ultimate destination.
National head coach Peter Cklamovski believes the Land of the Rising Sun offer the perfect platform for players to challenge themselves and grow, but only if they were willing to push beyond their limits.
“Over the last four months, I’ve heard our players say they love the idea of going abroad. But to get there, you have to work really hard,” said the 46-year-old Australian, who took charge of the national team in January.
Cklamovski, who spent six years coaching in Japan with clubs such as Shimizu S-Pulse, Montedio Yamagata, and FC Tokyo, understands the nation’s football culture better than most.
Now, he’s determined to bring that same drive and discipline to Malaysian football.
“In Japan, the competition is fierce. Just making the match day squad is a daily battle,” he said.
“It’s demanding, challenging and that’s what makes one better. That’s the level I want us to chase after in Malaysia.”
Cklamovski is eager to inject that high-performance mindset into the local game, especially at the club level, where he feels the hunger is still lacking.
“In Malaysia, I don’t see that intensity in the clubs. Working harder isn’t just a cliche... it should be backed by evidence and experience.
“If we can lift our standards, both individually and as a team, we’ll take real steps forward as a footballing nation.”
To illustrate his point, Cklamovski shared an inspiring example on his experience in working with legendary wingback Yuta Nagatomo.
“When I joined FC Tokyo in 2023, Yuta had already retired from international football,” he said.
“But after a few sessions with my coaching team, he decided to make a comeback. At 36, he returned to the national team and now, at 39, he’s gearing up for another World Cup.”
That kind of mentality, Cklamovski believes, is what Malaysian players must aspire to –especially if they want to thrive abroad.
He acknowledged that some local talents hesitate to leave their comfort zones or lack the psychological edge needed to succeed overseas.
“Change has to come from within. I’m here to support anyone who wants to reach the next level. Through the national team setup and the way we operate, I hope to influence the game positively.
“I want my DNA to be part of these players, the mindset, the work ethic. Some already have it, others need to develop it. But it’s all part of becoming a better footballer.”
