Western Sydney Wanderers’ heroics in the Asian Champions League has given the A-League an opportunity to build stronger connections with its wealthy counterparts.
Southeast Asia is now being promoted as a genuine possibility for a future expansion team in the A-League.
A column by former Socceroo Craig Foster in The Sun-Herald stressed that the FFA had to learn from their disastrous last attempt at expanding the competition by looking at other alternatives.
Foster argued that either a Malaysian or Indonesian team would provide a drastic increase in revenue, attract high-quality imports, and move football a step closer towards its goal of being the premier sporting competition in the country.
Asia is the fastest growing football market on the planet and its teams would bring a different style of football into the A-League, forcing a welcome shift in techniques and tactics. But would one of the clubs from Southeast Asia improve the league in the long run?
Let’s look at the Malaysians – they have been praised by some for their pace and skill, but their national team’s lowly FIFA world ranking of 155 is concerning. For a country of almost 30 million people, the majority of whom are football mad, Malaysia should be much more competitive on the international stage.
I discussed this issue with my taxi-driver on our death-defying journey through the bustling traffic of Kuala Lumpur earlier this year. His answer was simple.
“Our players lack game intelligence,” he said.
“They all want to dribble past four or five opponents instead of getting their head up and looking for a pass.”
So, on the surface this possible expansion could be a win-win for both countries. It would potentially provide a much-needed influx of money for the A-League and allow Malaysia to expose their players to a more rigorous level of competition.
However, there are already concerns that the presence of an Asian team in the A-League will further restrict opportunities for local talents.
Former Adelaide United and Sydney FC coach John Kosmina is among those who have criticised the lack of faith in young Australian players.
“For all of its strengths, I think one of the A-League’s greatest weaknesses is its obsession with overseas players,” he said.
“The fact is there are good players there, it’s as simple as that.”
A case in point can be seen in the nder-22 Malaysian side Harimau Muda ‘A’ (translation means ‘Young Tigers’), which was invited to play in the National Premier Leagues Queensland for the 2014 season. The Football Association of Malaysia reportedly invested RM4 million so that their young players could compete against more senior opponents in a league that was improving in standard.
Inaugural NPL championship-winning coach Mark Rudan claimed this was the exact reason for his opposition to the concept.
“I guess the argument is, ‘well, aren’t they developing playing against a Malaysian side every week?’ Yeah perhaps, but you’re also taking away another club that could help develop their own too,” he said.
Apart from these issues, there’s also the threat of match-fixing. Despite all of the investment provided for Harimau Muda ‘A’ to play in the NPL Queensland, they were not eligible for the end-of-season playoffs or the FFA Cup.
This led to concerns that the competition could possibly become influenced by Asian betting syndicates.
In the event that an Asian team was introduced into the A-League, they would obviously have to be allowed to play for silverware in order to reduce this risk.
But would supporters be receptive to them playing in the finals at the expense of their local club?
While the A-League clearly needs more financial muscle in order to improve facilities and attract better players, any expansion plans involving Asian teams should be some way off yet. The stability of current clubs like the Newcastle Jets, development of young talents, and turning around the struggling Socceroos are far more vital to the success of the A-League over the next few years.
Boban
Guest
This would only work if Singapore/Indonesia/Malaysia didn't have professional leagues, which they currently do. East Timor doesn't have a pro-league, but where would you find the money to finance the team?
Ben of Phnom Penh
Roar Guru
In this type of case you'd have to go with places that have international flights available, which for Laos is pretty well Vientianne, Luang Prabang and limited services out of Pakse. Cambodia its only Phnom Penh and Siem Reap. Philippines has a plethora of international airports though could probably only field 3 teams (Manila, Cebu and Davao). Main problem is the limited services into some of these airports makes the international flights very expensive as they will often contain a second leg.
chibimatty
Roar Rookie
That's interesting actually, while I like the idea of Laos being involved, I was struggling to find a place in the country with a large enough population to base the team. Would people from Khanthabouly for example, be interested in supporting a team from Vientiane? I didn't know that soccer in the Philippines and Cambodia are mainly based out of Manila and Phnom Penh, if that's the case, then maybe inclusion in this league would actually be a good idea, rather than a detriment to their own national competitions. I'm sure Manila could support more than one team in that case, similar to Hong Kong. It would be cool to have a couple of one-city derbies in this competition.
Ben of Phnom Penh
Roar Guru
I've touted the idea of Cambodia and Laos combing their leagues. Throwing Philippines/Hong Kong/Macau/Taiwan into the mix would be interesting indeed. The problem is that there just isn't the cash in Cambodia or Laos to make it work. Cambodia only has teams that play in Phnom Penh, Philippines teams in Manila, they haven't even sufficient funds to accommodate teams based in other parts of the country. Brunei are already doing what you mentioned, playing in the S.League. East Timor could join the S.League in a similar fashion however they don't have the money at this point in time to make it work.
Amir
Roar Rookie
I would work away as a supporter if we ever went into another country such as Singapore or Malaysia.
Arnold Krewanty
Guest
I thought the "A" in A-League stood for Australian? I have no interest in the betterment of foreign national teams and certainly no interest in foreign teams playing in our national competition - Wellington Phoenix included.
fadida
Guest
And my opinion hasn't changed Iangou. Why? Because I have seen his woeful ball retention, poor positional play and physical fouling again and again at NT level. He was excellent in the last game, but awards are often handed out by idiots.....
Premy
Guest
You're Correct MT I don't know a lot about Asean Football, in fact I only know as much as you're regular punter who has read up on the region. The areas I listed was to maximize population hubs and in turn maximize TV revenue. Perhaps you're right with Buriram, oversight on my behalf but I feel something along these lines is what is needed for the area to go forward. The Asean Super League would pit all the regions better Footballers together thus create better quality Football and in turn better quality Footballers. I fail to see how the current league's of these region's can't work with an Asean Super League and if you bothered to look you will notice I acknowledged people would be alienated by this move. However saying that I think the positives still far outway the negatives.
melbourneterrace
Guest
I lived in Bangkok for five years and was heavily involved in organised football when I was there. Ben of PP might be more up to date with current events than I am though. What Asian Football Needs more than any stupid Super League is Stability in their domestic league, more investment in local clubs like what's happening at buriram and muangthong and better development pathways from grassroots to professionalism, across the entire country. Development: Focusing resources on only a couple of major centres like Bangkok, Hanoi or KL might improve some in these regions but the the rural areas will remain just as underdone as they are now. These regions need top flight football in their area, the young players are already getting ignored in favour of players in the capitals. They need the presence of professional coaches and facilities to make the step from decent street players to quality footballers. That is currently he biggest barrier in these countries from reaching the level of the big asian countries. That won't change if a super league happens. Having only three to 5 teams per country will only favour the biggest cities. The suggestion for example of two Bangkok teams and one Chonburi teams ignores the fact that their is still talent out in Siem reap (buriram area) or right down south around Phuket and Krabi. It's not like the western world where half decent players can just move away from their livelihood Culture: the cultural differences between asean countries are far bigger than in Europe. I can't see his barrier being overcome in a joint venture, even for the good of the region. The only two that are close are Singapore and Malaysia. You'd also lose all those rivalries and derbies that actually make Malaysian and Indonesian football interesting. What these countries need to focus on is building on their current structures, learning and institutionalising good development practice and build value in their own league. Getting their teams into the afc Cl on the merits of their domestic league needs to be the king rather than trying to take a shortcut with a super league.
chibimatty
Roar Rookie
Personally I'd like to see a league exist in the region for countries too small to have their own major national competitions. So for me the above-mentioned teams of Singapore, Brunei and Macau could join two Hong Kong teams, let's say one for the Peninsula and one for the Islanders, plus three from Taiwan's major cities, Taipei, Kaohsiung-Tainan and Taichung. Eventually I think Laos or East Timor could join too. The sad thing is, this is really just a fantasy idea, I can't see politics allowing this league to happen, and I'm not sure whether Taiwan's passion for baseball would get in the way of them making a serious contribution. I also don't know if there really is that divide in Hong Kong to create a derby rivalry like that. But hey, while it's in my head, it's a fun idea nonetheless. ;)
juan dos
Guest
Well tell us more about what the region needs. We're clearly only spitballing ideas here. I'd be really curious to hear what someone with actual knowledge of the region (in addition to Ben of PP) had to say.
melbourneterrace
Guest
People Who make Comments like this are just displaying how little they know about asian (or ASEAN) football.
rmc
Guest
Singapore Slingers in the NBL. Deja vu. ASEANs would rather play in an ASEAN Super League.
premy
Guest
My proposed 18 Club Asean super league. Indonesian Clubs x5 Java x2 -Jakarta -Bandung Sumatra Papua Kalimantan Malaysia Clubs x3 Kuala Lumpur Penang Johor Singapore Clubs x2 West East Thailand Clubs x3 Bangkok x2 Chonburi Vietnam Clubs x2 Ho Chi Minh Hanoi Cambodia Phnom Phen Philippines Manila Laos Vientiane
premy
Guest
I agree. The proposed Asean super league is what the region needs. To me it seems egos are what is holding it back. Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand all want to control the league rather than working together. I for one hope it gets of the ground as it seems to be just what the region needs problem is it can't please everyone and it will leave certain people alienated.
juan dos
Guest
I see, I suppose 3 months isn't a lot of time. That AFF Super League would be interesting.
Ben of Phnom Penh
Roar Guru
Lions XII are back in the Malaysia Super League (entered back in 2011 or 12). It's a development side though, mainly u23's. Of the sides suggested distance is a real problem. It's just too far. The exception is East Timor who could combine with the NT to form a side which plays out of Darwin with the odd game in Dili. Problem is, East Timor is broke.
Ben of Phnom Penh
Roar Guru
True, but it could be expanded to include such. It's mainly a matter of $$$
Ben of Phnom Penh
Roar Guru
The Indonesian league runs from Jan/Feb to November, Malaysia Jan - July. The leagues overlap the A-League season so there would be clashes as both comps only offer a 3 month "window". The proposed AFF Super League is the best bet for new franchises, however it hasn't moved beyond the drawing board for years, partly because the big countries haven't shown a lot of interest.
AZ_RBB
Guest
http://m.afr.com/p/lifestyle/sport/wanderers_sponsorship_deal_with_GU4thoWsPsiDoMEiNid1SI $1M from NRMA alone. $3M from shirt sponsorships. Awesome stuff.