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On Saturday, I’ll be at the Malaysia Cup final, with more than 70,000 people. It may be the country’s third competition after the league and the FA Cup, but it is still a huge deal.
In the stadium, you can close your eyes and with the sound of the crowd (and the smell of the Selangor air), you know you are at a Malaysian football match.
Seeing how the world game is married into local cultures around the world is fascinating. In East Asia, the crowds are the terrace equivalent of Vegemite. It is all or nothing.
You have the organised fans singing and chanting literally non-stop, while those not part of those groups don’t do much at all. The divide between the two is much clearer than in England, with its atmosphere more related to what happens on the field. In west Asia there are the loudspeakers and, in some places, massive portraits of the local rulers, staring down on the action, leaving no doubt as to where in the world you are.
And Australia? After my admittedly limited experience in the A-League and Socceroo internationals, I am not sure.
Take away healthier looking people, better weather, and fans who seem a little happier to be there, and it could have been England (although this may be due to the fact I have lived in Asia for almost 20 years and still get excited when I see a pie; if I had come straight from England, perhaps the differences would have been more stark).
That’s no criticism – an English-style atmosphere (though Western Sydney Wanderers do seem to have their own groove) in the context of Asian football adds another fabric to the continent’s rich tapestry – just an impression. I am sure there are good historical and cultural reasons behind it. I don’t even know what an ‘Australian’ atmosphere would feel like. Perhaps a few corked hats and kangaroos are in order?
Maybe now though, there is something unique about Australian football, at least in Asia. Perhaps this is a mature football system. It may have been a tough few weeks for those who love Australian football, but maybe, just maybe, it was necessary.
The active fan groups, aware of their importance in the game, made their feelings known regarding the procedure of banning fans, among other things. They seemed to get most on their side, performed a high-profile act of protest and strength, then came to the negotiating table to win what seems to be a clear change in policy.
As strategies go, it was a pretty good one.
FFA made mistakes but admitted them, and have agreed to change procedures on the banning of fans until a full review can be made in February. Bosses have listened and while it remains to be seen what happens, the signs are encouraging.
It seems to be a pretty mature outcome, and even if there are complications and issues down the line, it is refreshing to see stakeholders meeting and having dialogue. Fan groups meeting the heads of federation for discussions that are actually meaningful and actually produce change? This is just not how things are done in Asia or – as we have seen in recent years – around the world when it comes to governance.
Ever since Australia joined Asia in 2006, the confederation has been waiting for the country to bring something different to the table, share its know-how, professionalism and experience of a tough sporting market.
Now, not all in Asia would welcome it, given the way football is run in certain countries, but this could be it. Australia’s new football identity could be built on inclusiveness, engagement and co-operation.
Australia’s atmosphere may still be a little old-world in the stadiums, but off the pitch, this fresh air from Down Under deserves to be felt all around Asia.
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