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.
Justin Mahon
Guest
Australian football identity was established in 1974 when against the odds a team of misfits from many cultures took on the might of the world's greatest footballing monocultures. Since then, through the NSL and into the A-League this 'blended' culture of football has continued and was most recently expressed in the Asia Cup victory when a whole new audience were awoken to our multicultural game. An audience of domestic, Asian communities who found a code for them. It was amazing to watch. The Australian off all culture is ultimately a young, diverse, inclusive and constantly changing one. The Australian football culture is now more than ever reflective of the nation itself - and like the nation itself - unique in Asia for these very same reasons. In respect. The events of the last week I conclude that the club football culture grew up slightly, and it did so by uniting the tribes. It was marvellous to see.
Towser
Guest
That video marron indicated tallys up with my experience of the A-League (as a season ticket holder at the Roar since day one) and its fans, they are well Aussies, reflecting the laid back culture of this country in their support. How do I know because I used to attend NSL matches on occassions and the crowd was different being influenced by the migrants in the crowd, not violent ,aggressive just different. As I've always said the social/economic conditions in Australia are not conducive to producing football hooligans as per the English working class apart from one or two copycat hard men wannabees. Reaction to Active support " Aussie style" by the authorirties and sections of the media is simply "fear of the unknown" as its a recent phenomena in Australia. People tend to forget that active support wasn't always around in England , in fact I remember quite clearly my first encounter with it at Bramall Lane(wash my mouth out) in the Sixties, a group of Liverpool fans started to sing, me and my mates thought WTF. Of course that morphed due to the different social conditions in England into football hooliganism and several unsavoury incidents, so for Mrs Thatcher a person to whom football was alien anyway she reacted to that "fear of the unknown" as it was at the time. Difference is though that that fear had some substance behind it , here the authorities are looking for Godzilla hiding behind the barbie and some sections of the media are wishing Godzilla would eat all the snags.
Jets Fan
Guest
So much confusion !!! Its all about the football! My club has more trophies ! We make the most money! We have the best singers! All of these claims miss the point ! The Football club (insert club name) is all about belonging! As a member of one of the Oldest Football clubs in Australia (West Wallsend, 125 yrs old) i enjoy the feeling of being part of it! I haven't seen every trophy they won. We are not a big club at this point in time, though we were once. We are a proud club though, and as anyone in marketing will tell you, nothing succeeds like success. Ask anyone who runs a nightclub, nothing draws a crowd like a crowd. They can form quickly and disperse just a quickly. This also applies to Football crowds, particularly like the RBB or NT being part of that phenomenon is in itself attractive, regardless of the game being played. Its like a Party where everyone is invited, come along, join in, sing a few songs, act a little crazy (not too much) then go home till next week. Oh! by the way who won! But I had a great time. and that's what supporters clubs are all about! Having a good time and supporting an ideal of the perfect club! (insert club name) Long may it continue!
marron
Roar Guru
Australia's football identity? http://youtube.com/watch?v=GIM0yHdxJ_M
marron
Roar Guru
Football is a way of life. It encompasses more than just a game with a ball. Of course it's a great game with intricacy and tremendous subtlety and skill. But it's also more than that as a whole. This article is about culture so it's not strange to see comments about the crowd, is it? VFL in the 60s/70s was probably the closest thing we ever had to a vibrant, live, fan owned football culture of our own. Then the powers that be killed it. I think that's an enormous shame. But I'm glad to see communities coalesce the way they have around their a-league clubs and create and maintain some individuality and colour, autonomously. Football is more than the paying customer watching people kick a ball around.
Simoc
Guest
I noticed in AFL finals footy in Perth we, the crowd had finished the national anthem and sat down when the official singer hadn't reached halfway. We were there for the footy, not the nationalistic b/s which absolutely no-one except the organisers need. They do it in the V8s as well. So crass and hopeless.
onside
Guest
A good one Midfielder.And its Friday mate.
Punter
Guest
Haha, yes!!!!
Midfielder
Guest
Punter Did you hear about the three A-League fans caught drinking in Qatar.. One a Mariner fan, and a SFC & WSW fan as well.. They were sentenced to 40 years in jail… After a month in jail and on appeal they were made an offer. They could get out if they agreed to take 20 lashes of the whip. They chatted and decided to risk the whip… On the day of the whipping it was the Sheek’s birthday and he said to the three Australians you can have a wish to lessen the effect of the whip… First up was the Mariner fan and he asked for a pillow strapped to his back. After 5 lashes the whip broke through but at least it helped a little. Then the SFC fan and he asked for two pillows strapped to his back. Again after 10 lashes the whip broke through but it was only half the punishment. Then the Sheek said to the WSW fan I will give you two wishes …. The WSW fan said for my first wish can I have 100 lashes of the whip… the Sheek was very impressed and says these folk of Western Sydney are made of something tough and agreed to the request… What is your second wish asked the Sheek… he replied strap the SFC fan to my back…
Punter
Guest
Red Star's success was 25 years ago in a different era, WSW success was last year in the current era. I'm a SFC fan & hate both, but MV is currently the best team in the competition, they are also no 1 in most of your metrics. But WSW achievement is greater then anything MV has ever achieved. BR is also the best team to grace the A-League (from their 2 full seasons under Ange).
Roy
Guest
"Get the popcorn ready boys and girls,..." HA ! - yet another Fussball acolyte on this site.
Roy
Guest
Very droll Fuss, however the grammatical tenses I use in my ps statement were clearly designed convey the past. If you were unable to perceive this . . . maybe we both should be sorry
FIUL
Guest
Red Star Belgrade has won 1 European Cup. Arsenal have qualified for the Group stage of the past 17 European Cups, but Arsenal has never won the European Cup. I wonder which team is currently rated higher across Europe?
Waz
Guest
You're only getting half of my point Kaks but let's start there ;)
Punter
Guest
Not strange really!!! You say something I interpret it one way, I say something you interpret another way, it's called banter, it's what makes the world tick. I like atmosphere in my sport. You like a thousand goals in your sport. Such is life!!!!
FIUL
Guest
Why is it weird? I'm responding to an AFL fan, who trolls every Football discussion on The Roar, every day for the past 5 years.
offsider
Guest
You mention AFL again,weird.
Casper
Guest
You're another one that is more concerned about the performance of the crowd, rather than the performance of the players. Strange.
aladdin sane
Guest
hahahahaha super!
Kaks
Roar Guru
The enemy of my enemy is my friends. We will be sure to keep Victory in third place, and the Roar in second place, for the rest of the season ;)