Good sharing: Maren McCrary (left) and Brandi Chastain meeting the Selangor women’s football team at the club’s training centre in Shah Alam yesterday.– KAMARUL ARIFFIN//The Star
SHAH ALAM: Malaysian women’s football received a much needed injection of hope after former United States players Brandi Chastain and Maren McCrary met with the Selangor team at their training centre in Shah Alam yesterday.
Chastain and McCrary said they believe it was not impossible for the Malaysian women’s team to qualify for the World Cup one day if they dream big and have the passion to make it come true.
The 57-year-old Chastain recalled that when she was growing up, women’s football in the US was not popular but has now grown so much and the sport could follow a similar path of development in Malaysia.
“50 years ago, soccer was not popular in the United States. The sport was behind the likes of American football, baseball, golf and tennis,’’ she said.
“We had a very big uphill battle because we were only the eighth sport.
“So, I will say that it has been an exceptional ride for me to be a part of the rise of women’s football.
“Honestly, I never had any intention to play football as a career. It was something I loved and enjoyed.
“This is what I want to share with the youngsters here. How important it is for them to see for themselves a different future with the game.
“What I see in Malaysia is what I saw in American women’s football. The ascension will be very quick because the people love football.
“When we first walked in here, we heard that the goal is for the Malaysian women’s team to qualify for the World Cup before the men’s team.
“We support this dream 100 percent. I honestly believe anything is possible.
“Malaysian women’s football can definitely grow. Everything’s right here. They just need people to come to watch, to get on board and support the players.’’
Chastain is famous for scoring the decisive penalty that helped the US beat China 5-4 in the 1999 World Cup final at home at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena.
She was also part of the team that won the world title in 1991 and the Olympic gold in 1996 and 2004.
As for McCrary, she urged aspiring women footballers in Malaysia to believe in themselves.
“My advice is to believe in themselves. Having confidence is one of the biggest challenges that women footballers face around the world, not just in Malaysia,” said MacCrary.
“They have to put in the work in to develop their game. They have to be as resilient as they can be.
“The players should also go abroad to play to continue to grow.”
