Taking the Malaysian league by storm

One more weekend and then there is a welcome international break for what has been a fast and furious start to the new Malaysian football season. This season certainly looks exciting and competitive; not since yours truly was winning matches in style has a season in Malaysian football felt this enticing to follow.

The football has been fast paced, albeit still sloppy at the best of times, but to have a shining light like Pablo Aimar certainly lends credibility to a nation that has more often than not allowed football to be run by suits without a clue about the game.

The excitement that has surged through my home state of Johor is down to our Crown Prince having the know–how and fiery passion for the game. But as His Highness Tunku Mahkota Johor always reminds and reiterates, the game of football first and foremost is an effective social mechanism for bringing communities and groups of people together. Keeping the youth of today involved and fulfilled through sport is an added caveat; then, and only then, is it about winning trophies.

A dream was formulated, and now TMJ wants to fulfill his vision. The introduction of Pablo Aimar, a genuine superstar of the game, is quite possibly the best thing to happen to Malaysian football. Our country has certainly been put on the map as a nation which is finally realising that to improve their stature in the international football scene, the local football league has to improve in quality and attraction; attracting a footballer who has won league titles in three different national leagues (Argentina, Spain and Portugal) as well as achieving success with Argentina as a FIFA U-20 World Cup winner is undoubtedly a step in the right direction.

And how Aimar has enchanted us with moments of quality and magic! It is a pleasure to be on television as Astro Arena showcases moments of pure Pablo. Television plays a major role in promoting a relatively fledging league into further social prominence, and Astro Arena should be commended for this brave adventure especially when Malaysian football was sinking faster then the Titanic mere seasons ago.

The emergence of some very talented young local players too has been a bonus. It has been enthralling to watch Hafiz Kamal take the game by the reins as he commands Pahang like no other.

The marauding Mahali Jasuli quite possibly has created the most goalscoring chances in the league, and he plays at rightback!

The playmaking of Badrol Bakhtiar for Kedah in the second tier Premier League too has been a feature, though Kedah fans hardly need a reminder of his quality. Foreign imports, Pablo Aimar aside, have been impressive as well.

29–year–old Australian Mario Karlovic has slotted in comfortably alongside Ismail Faruqi for Terengganu in central midfield while Juninho is clearly going to take Selangor places. The unbelievable engine of Spanish central midfielder Jose Gomez has been a feature too, his ability to distribute the ball being an added bonus to his tireless work in attack and defense.

And the fans, inspired by JDT's passionate and vociferous rhythmic vocals, have sparked further synchronised followings up and down the country. The sheer intensity of the fans in stadiums all around the country harkens back to my days as a player when the Merdeka Stadium was always rocking, both at the domestic and international level.

The only blot is a little bunch of idiots trying to ruin all the good work and effort being put into place for a perfect environment for football fans.

Football hooligans, go away, we don't need you! Passion is important, but when a small group of fans threaten the safety of other spectators, they not only make a mockery of themselves with their inability to keep their emotions in check; fans like these act as a deterrent to other Malaysians whose only interest is to enjoy an entertaining game of football in person.

The big match of the weekend is at Larkin Stadium, Johor Baru, where Selangor, as table toppers, come to strut their stuff.  They rightly deserve their place on top of the pile, but will face a severe test of their credentials as Johor Darul Takzim 1 look to start stretching their legs and attempt to begin their ascent up the table.

The East Coast derby of Pahang versus Terengganu will provide sparks of its own, a match never lacking in atmosphere and competitiveness. The midfield battle promises to be one of the highlights of the season, as Hafiz Kamal looks to make his mark on what is sure to be a hotly-contested tie. – February 15, 2014.

* This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insider.