To be frank as a pro-footballer, the ability to kick with both legs should be one of the most basic things in the game. Not sure how many are able to do that though.

Those looking for the streaming link:

http://www.firstrowsports.tv/watch/93769/1...yria-(u23).html

One of the major contribution to the national team's rise seem to have been the Bukit Jalil Sports School. Most of the boys in the current U23 and senior squad graduated from there right? Now imagine if we had one of those in every state - imagine the amount of stars that we could have produced!

Anyway the point above was actually highlighted in the BFM radio show not long ago. One of the best discussions I've heard on Malaysian football.
It's still available as a podcast if anyone's interested: http://www.bfm.my/hearandnow-harimau-malaya-2409.html

Full of juicy info and thoughts from the experts.

Here an interesting idea, an ASEAN-level Champions League:

MALAYSIA has a goal — it wants to produce its first millionaire footballer soon.
The Youth and Sports Ministry plans to do this through the introduction of a regional football competition along the lines of the European Champions League.
Its minister, Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek, told the New Sunday Times that he would bring up this proposal at the two-day Asean Sports Ministers Meeting in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, on Tuesday.

This move will help turn the sport into a real career, and change people’s perception that there is no future in playing football.

The ministers have, in principle, agreed with the idea, which Shabery is confident will lead to the production of Malaysia’s first millionaire footballer.
He said Asean countries should capitalise on the passion for the game, as displayed by Malaysians and Indonesians during the recent SEA Games football final, and turn it into a lucrative industry.

“We can capitalise on the excitement in Indonesia and turn it into a huge marketing opportunity for sponsorship and branding by producing world-class footballers.”

He said the competitive spirit displayed by both countries could fuel a lucrative football competition, which may in turn produce a world-class millionaire footballer from Malaysia.

“(This is) just like (the situation in) England and France, who were once at war (with each other). They used football to put their differences aside and settled matters on the field. Look at their European competition (Champions League) now.”

He said most of the ministers had agreed with the idea and all that was needed now was to finalise the format of the competition that would have an audience of about 300 million people in Asean countries.

He said the Sea Games football final was watched by five million Malaysians and 100 million Indonesians.

“Sports is the fastest-growing content industry and if we want to make football a multi-million dollar industry, we have to venture outside our comfort zone.

“Astro shows the Indonesian league on Bintang (channel 141) and Pelangi (channel 142), which are viewed by Indonesians in our country.” He said Malaysians also tuned in to these channels to watch Malaysians playing in the league.

“Manchester United’s Park Ji Sung is another example, where the whole of Korea sees Manchester United as its team of choice simply because Park plays for it. This factor alone makes it easy for sponsors to penetrate the Korean market.”

Agreeing with Shabery’s suggestion, Football Association of Malaysia vice-president Datuk Subahan Kamal said the government should form a committee involving FAM and government-linked companies (GLCs) to develop the game.

He said more GLCs and corporations should be roped in to fund and provide better training facilities for Malaysian footballers.

He urged the government to encourage Petronas, AirAsia, Tenaga Nasional Bhd, Maybank, CIMB and Public Bank to get involved in the sport and pump money into the game.

“That money can provide better training facilities, more sports complexes and better wages to elevate the status of the game.

“People’s perception, that there is no future in playing football, is the worst problem we have. We lose our best talent that way.”
Subahan said leagues in Japan and Korea were funded by their best corporations, which was how large sums of money were available for development and transfer of players.

“I have seen players in our school leagues whom I can compare to Christiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. Unfortunately, they will most likely be pressured to not pursue a career in football.”

He said the ministry should push for more funding and GLC involvement in the game and not just reward players when they won tournaments.

“Let’s make this into a real career and win parents over by making it lucrative for players. This would work towards the minister’s idea of a multi-million dollar industry.”


Sauce:
http://www.nst.com.my/top-news/millionaire...ballers-1.17724

Here's another awesome article on Malaysia's fascination with the Premier League, by a website which chronicles awesome stories about football around the world.

http://inbedwithmaradona.com/journal/2011/...ier-league.html

Ada. Malam ni, 9pm Astro Arena.
http://www.arena.my/Arena/ArenaArticle/tab...x?newsId=197564