30-04-2025
'Slimmed-down' Super League can still power Malaysia to World Cup
KUALA LUMPUR: A smaller Super League can still produce quality players for the national team, despite growing concerns over its shrinking size.
Perak FC last week pulled out of next season's Super League due to financial woes, and several other clubs are reportedly facing similar issues.
This could see the current 13-team competition reduced to just eight or ten sides next season.
The prospect of a downsized league has raised fears it might weaken the national player pool.
But history shows that small leagues can still develop talent capable of shining on the world stage.
Countries such as Iceland, Slovenia, and New Zealand — with leagues featuring as few as 10 to 12 teams playing four-round formats — have all qualified for the World Cup.
Iceland made it in 2018, Slovenia in 2002 and 2010, and New Zealand in 1982 and 2010.
Slovakia and the Republic of Ireland, with similarly compact league systems, also reached the 2010 finals.
Football critic Dr Zulakbal Abdul Karim said the number of teams is not the main issue, as long as the league meets Asian Football Confederation (AFC) standards to qualify for the Asian Champions League Elite (ACLE) or ACL II.
"I believe the AFC requires leagues to run for at least eight months per season, and clubs must play a minimum of 27 competitive domestic matches," he said.
"If there are only eight teams, the league can adopt a four-round format. Several countries do this and their national teams have still played in the World Cup. I don't see why the M-League can't adapt."
Zulakbal stressed that while Super League clubs must improve their management and financial stability, the league must go on.
"Harimau Malaya need players who are fit and ready for high-intensity international matches," he added.
Meanwhile, the First Instance Body (FIB) has extended the deadline for Super League clubs to upload their club licensing documents to May 10.
FIB chairman Sheikh Nasir Sheikh Sharif said in a statement today that the decision came after multiple clubs requested more time to complete their documentation.
"The FIB committee has agreed to grant an extension to all clubs," he said.
