Naturalised players a short-term fix for Harimau Malaya

Sinar Daily

16-06-2025

KUALA LUMPUR – The debate surrounding the inclusion of naturalised and heritage players in Malaysia's national football team continues and former head coach Datuk K. Rajagobal has offered a clear and balanced perspective.
He shared his insights during the launch of his autobiography, 'Inilah Saya K. Rajagobal,' at the Kuala Lumpur International Book Fair (PBAKL) on Satuday. Former Harimau Malaya coach, Datuk K. Rajagobal, launched his book titled 'Inilah Saya K Rajagobal' at the Karangkraf Group sales booth during PBAKL 2025 on Saturday. Photo: Rosli Talib/Sinar
'Honestly, there's been a lot of discussion about using naturalised and heritage players in our national team setup.
"In my view, they are necessary for now, but only as a short-term solution.
'What truly matters is our long-term vision. We must not lose sight of grassroots and youth development," he said in an exclusive interview with Sinar Daily after his book launch.
Rajagobal, who famously led Harimau Malaya to victory in the 2009 SEA Games and the 2010 AFF Suzuki Cup, stressed the importance of balance and mentorship in integrating naturalised players.
He described that while these players can serve a purpose in the current squad, the team needs to find a healthy balance moving forward.
'Just a few, not many, should be integrated alongside homegrown talents. This way, our local players can learn and grow by playing alongside experienced, high-quality naturalised players who can also act as mentors.
'It's important that any naturalised player we bring in has the quality and experience to elevate the team.
"In the short term, yes, they have a role to play. But for the long term, the only path forward is a clear development plan, one that builds toward a national team with its own strong, local identity," he said.
Assessing Harimau Malaya's Current Direction Rajagobal also offered a measured assessment of Harimau Malaya's current direction under new head coach Peter Cklamovski, who recently oversaw matches against Nepal and Cape Verde.
'Honestly, Harimau Malaya has only played two matches under the new head coach, Peter Cklamovski.
"If I'm not mistaken, the first was against Nepal, and the second, just a few days ago, was against Cape Verde.
'There has definitely been progress, but at the end of the day, the coach is the best person to evaluate the team's performance.
"He understands what needs to be done before the crucial match against Vietnam. As for me, I think it's still too early to draw any firm conclusions. We need to see the team play more matches. That said, the early signs are promising and I hope the team continues to build on this momentum and deliver even stronger performances in the games to come," he added.
A Coach's Memoir and Life Lessons Rajagobal's remarks were made during the launch of his autobiography, 'Inilah Saya K. Rajagobal,' at the World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur (WTCKL), where he was celebrated as a symbol of Malaysian football's golden era.
The book, published by Karangkraf, took nearly nine years to complete and offers a deeply personal look into his life and career as both a player and coach.
The autobiography recounts his early years in Setapak, his playing days with Selangor during the 1980s and his journey into coaching after initially serving as an assistant at the Malaysia Games in Sarawak.
It covers key moments such as the 1979 Malaysia Cup final and Malaysia's return to glory at the 2009 SEA Games and 2010 AFF Suzuki Cup.
More than a football memoir, the book was written to impart life lessons.
'This isn't just about football. It's about perseverance, about facing challenges with resilience. I hope young Malaysians will read it and be inspired,' he said.
The book also came about through an unexpected collaboration with Karangkraf, which began after a chance meeting at a Sinar Daily event during the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
Encouraged by his son and impressed by Karangkraf's publishing expertise, Rajagobal expressed 'no regrets' about entrusting his story to them.