From giants to strugglers: Why Malaysian football fell behind

Focus Malaysia

2 days ago

FROM the 1950s to the 1980s, Malaysia was a football powerhouse in Asia. Our national team not only held its own against regional rivals like South Korea, but often outplayed them.
Icons such as Mokhtar Dahari, Soh Chin Aun, Hassan Sani, Santokh Singh, and the legendary goalkeeper R. Arumugam who famously known as the 'Spiderman' were admired across the continent.
Back then, Japan was far from being a footballing threat. Today, however, the story has flipped entirely. South Korea and Japan are now among Asia's elite, regularly qualifying for World Cups and producing players who star in Europe's top leagues.
Meanwhile, Malaysia struggles to dominate even within Southeast Asia, relying heavily on naturalised players to boost the national team a strategy that has delivered underwhelming results.
At the heart of this decline lies a stark difference in vision and commitment. Japan's failure to qualify for the 1994 World Cup led to the creation of a '100-Year Vision', a long-term development plan focusing on grassroots, coaching, facilities, and professional league structure.
South Korea similarly made deep investments in youth development, sports science, and international exposure for its young talents. Both countries built solid footballing ecosystems from the ground up, with a focus on sustainability.
Malaysia, on the other hand, has often opted for short-term solutions. The naturalisation of foreign players may provide a temporary boost, but it does not address the systemic flaws in talent development.
Without consistent investment in youth systems, coaching quality, and infrastructure, our reliance on imported talent merely delays the hard work of rebuilding from within.
A strong football culture begins at the grassroots level. In Japan and South Korea, children are introduced to football through structured school and academy systems, with certified coaches and modern facilities supporting their growth.
Regional and national competitions ensure that young players receive continuous, competitive match experience. In Malaysia, grassroots development remains disjointed and underfunded. Coaching standards vary widely, especially in rural areas where facilities are often inadequate.
Talented young players frequently slip through the cracks due to poor scouting and the lack of a nationwide, coordinated talent pipeline.
Moreover, our education system often places academic performance above sports, forcing young athletes to choose between the classroom and the football pitch.
In contrast, East Asian countries integrate sports deeply into school life, allowing talent to flourish without compromising education.
Another uncomfortable truth is the influence of race and religion in the management and selection process within Malaysian football. While not always explicit, there is a widespread perception that these factors sometimes outweigh merit in team selection and administrative decisions.
This undermines trust in the system and alienates talented players from minority communities. During the golden era of Malaysian football, players like R. Arumugam, of Indian descent, were national heroes.
Today, such representation is rarer not because the talent isn't there, but because of systemic barriers. Football should be a force for unity, not division. In multicultural Malaysia, our diversity should be a strength we celebrate, not an obstacle to overcome.
The quality of a country's domestic league plays a crucial role in shaping its national team. The J-League and K-League are professionally run, stable, and commercially successful, with clear links to youth development.
Malaysian football, however, continues to suffer from mismanagement. Issues such as unpaid wages, poor club governance, and inconsistent league structures create an unprofessional environment that hinders player growth.
Without a strong, competitive domestic league, it's nearly impossible to produce players capable of performing on the international stage.
Another major gap lies in international exposure. Japanese and South Korean players often move to Europe as teenagers, gaining vital experience in top leagues and adapting to the physical and mental demands of elite football.
These early experiences help them grow into disciplined, tactically astute professionals. Malaysian players, by contrast, rarely play abroad. When they do, many struggle to adapt and return home prematurely.
This is not just a matter of skill, but also mindset. Young players in Japan and Korea grow up dreaming of playing in the Bundesliga or La Liga. In Malaysia, ambitions often stop at local league stardom or representing a state team.
The path to recovery is clear but demands courage and consistency. First, football administration must be depoliticised. Race and religion must have no role in talent identification or selection. Only performance, discipline, and potential should matter.
Second, grassroots development must be rebuilt. This includes training more certified coaches, building accessible facilities nationwide, and reintegrating football into the school curriculum.
Third, the domestic league must be professionalized, with clubs held to strict governance and financial standards.
Finally, we need to shift the national footballing mindset that encouraging young players to dream bigger, aim higher, and embrace overseas challenges as part of their development.
Malaysia once stood on equal footing with Korea, and even ahead of Japan. Legends like Mokhtar Dahari and R. Arumugam are reminders of what we once were and what we can be again.
With clear vision, inclusive leadership, and a relentless commitment to reform, Malaysian football can return to glory. But the journey starts not with shortcuts, but with honest reflection and the willingness to rebuild from the ground up. ‒ Aug 5, 2025
R. Paneir Selvam is the principal consultant of Arunachala Research & Consultancy Sdn Bhd (ARRESCON), a think tank specialising on strategic national and geo-political matters.
The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Focus Malaysia.
Main image: mStar