The Postecoglou connection to Harimau Malaya
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia's rise on the international football stage is shaped by a coach connected to the vaunted Ange Postecoglou.
Peter Cklamovski, who used to work with Postecoglou in the Australian national team, has revitalised Harimau Malaya since coming to Kuala Lumpur in January.
Cklamovski has not only changed Malaysia's playing style, but also chalked up an impressive winning record in competitive matches.
His tactical approach reflects Europa League winner Postecoglou's commitment to fluid, attacking football built on intense pressing and positional discipline.
"Cklamovski is a prodigy of Postecoglou. It's no coincidence the type of coach that has now come in, especially when you look at how Malaysia want to play," said former Australian international Scott Ollerenshaw, who has been involved in the development of Malaysian football for over two decades.
Cklamovski's methods also align with the footballing philosophy of the Regent of Johor, Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim, who has long championed a modern, possession-based game in Malaysian football, primarily through his work at Johor Darul Ta'zim.
"Having been around Tunku Ismail a lot, I know he wants to play a certain style of football. He doesn't want the old-fashioned English style of long balls. He wants a short-passing, possession-based game, and he's been successful with it," said Ollerenshaw.
"In my opinion, Tunku Ismail can find people who can sync with that style. There's no point in bringing in quality players and then playing a rigid 4-4-2 and punting the ball forward. That was never going to work."
Under Cklamovski, Malaysia recorded back-to-back wins in Asian Cup qualifiers: 2-0 against Nepal in March and 4-0 against Vietnam earlier this month. The triumph over Vietnam was significant, as it marked Malaysia's first win against the Southeast Asian powerhouse in 11 years.
Harimau Malaya now show better structure, fluidity, and intent, characteristics that have long been missing from the national team.
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