THE emergence of Johor Darul Ta'zim FC (JDT) in the Asian football scene has stirred the interest of players with Malaysian heritage, who want to ply their trade for the benefit of the nation within their home country.
While critics may brush it off as monetary-driven, the mass appeal of JDT’s football infrastructure speaks for itself. JDT has, arguably, the best football ecosystem in Southeast Asia.
Among the first to answer Malaysia's call with Sarawak, Kelantan and Pahang came from the likes of Junior Eldstal, Brendan Gan and Matthew Davies respectively, but since then, the Southern Tigers have amassed a fair bit of heritage players due to its steady growth.
The following years saw the likes of Natxo Insa, La'Vere Corbin-Ong, Darren Lok and a host of other players signing up with the Malaysian champions.
Recently, JDT announced an agreement with Nathaniel Shio Hong Wan from Wolverhampton Wanderers' Under-23 side while American-born Isaac Angking contacted the club regarding employment possibilities before making his international debut for Puerto Rico last month.
Former Belgium Under-21 and current Danish champions FC Midtjylland right-back, Dion Cools, seems to be another prospect for JDT after the Kuching-born player described the club as "impressive", following a meet with JDT Sporting Director Martin Prest.
JDT'S brand exposure also brought about comments from Finnish-Malaysian Nooa Laine of SJK Seinäjoki, who described the club as the "biggest in Malaysia".
Although there is a school of thought that believes all these players should remain abroad, the question here is, would they still want to ─ or be able to ─ play for Malaysia? If not now, then when? Perhaps, at the ripe age of 30 for a couple of years?
Have we not already seen Harimau Malaya showing an improvement at the World Cup qualifiers? We are still in the running to make the final round of qualifiers, and for the first time in decades, an Asian Cup qualification on merit appears probable.
Some have even turned their guns on JDT, claiming that the club should be focused on youth development. Yet, JDT sets the benchmark in this department by being the only club in Malaysia with a full-fledged academy that caters to Under-12 to Under-21.
Frankly speaking, players turn to Malaysia when they feel the need for a change of environment based on their own individual inclinations.
Understandably, some say that the Super League has no standard, but that's perhaps due to the massive gap on and off the pitch between JDT and the rest of the field, who are constantly striving to improve their game.
Over time, this gap will be greatly reduced as other teams will inevitably be pressured to keep up with JDT’s growth, on the pitch at least.
Harbouring aspirations to progress beyond the group stage, the Southern Tigers also compete among Asia's elite in the AFC Champions League. Their participation in the Champions League ─ and possibly for Malaysia in the Asian Cup ─ may open doors in countries like Korea and Japan. ─ The Vibes, 4 February, 2021
Former journalist Vijhay is Head of Content at Johor Darul Ta'zim FC following stints with Malay Mail, Sports247.my, FourFourTwo Malaysia and FOX Malaysia. You may have also heard him on BFM Football or watched him on Media Prima's football programmes. Vijhay can be reached at @vijhayvick on Twitter.
