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New Straits Times

Cklamovski aims to script blockbuster for Malaysian football [WATCH]

KUALA LUMPUR: Peter Cklamovski wants to make a movie for Malaysian football fans — one that is full of emotions, heroes, and unforgettable moments. In an interview with Timesport: On the Beat, the Harimau Malaya coach talked about his inspirations, his love for attacking football, and his plan to make a film about Malaysia's football journey. "It wouldn't be a documentary. It would be a reality show," said the Australian with a smile. "It'll be called Building the Tiger. It starts with the golden era and shows the journey to bring Malaysian football back to greatness. I'll play myself. Tunku Mahkota Ismail Sultan Ibrahim (Johor Darul Ta'zim club owner) will play himself. We'll make it entertaining. We're characters!" Cklamovski believes that football's power lies in its raw emotions, the kind that fans feel instantly. That's why he doesn't hide his disdain for the video assistant referee (VAR) system. "You score a goal, and the emotion is raw. But now you wait, check… by the time it's confirmed, it won't be the same. That moment's gone. Football is emotion. That's why people love it. Get rid of VAR," he said. Cklamovski's footballing ideals are rooted in his youth, when he idolised the likes of Darko Pancev, a former Macedonian-Yugoslav forward who played for FK Vardar and Red Star Belgrade in the 1980s. "I always love guys who want to score goals. The way they play, with joy, with purpose, that's the energy I want in my teams." Asked to name his all-time five-a-side dream team, Cklamovski said: "(Lionel) Messi, (Diego) Maradona, (Cristiano) Ronaldo, (Franz) Beckenbauer, (Franco) Baresi. You won't get the ball off us!" he said. Cklamovski is also settling into life in Malaysia, with his children enrolled in an international school and his family embracing the local experience. He looks forward to watching domestic matches across the country. "I want to be part of this football culture. I want to see what it means to Malaysians, in every stadium, every chant," he added. And as Malaysia prepare to face Vietnam in an Asian Cup qualifier in June, he hopes the fans continue to believe in the journey. "We've got a big game coming up. Get behind the team. This is about all of us — the players, the fans, and the country. We're building something special." Cklamovski will hope that his reality show will be as successful as the movie, Ola Bola, which was about the national team qualifying for the 1980 Moscow Olympics.