Scott Ollerenshaw: What Malaysia must do to shine at the AFF Suzuki Cup

For example, I expect JDT to raise the bar even higher next year. Having assembled the best squad in the country, which is further complimented by quality foreigners, their core group of players have been together for a few years now. The understanding that evolves over time will see a more fluent style of play which is more pleasing on the eye. JDT will continue to win trophies but will do so in a style of football that dominant teams in world football like Barcelona, Bayern Munich often produce.

At the other end of the spectrum is the Malaysian National Team, who are only a few days away from getting their Suzuki Cup campaign underway. Having lost many key players to both injury & retirement in the lead up to this tournament, is it realistic to expect this predominantly young group of players to play a perfect style of possession-oriented football?

Don’t get me wrong, of course Harimau Malaysia will pass the ball & try to keep possession as best they can. However, there is nothing wrong with mixing things up and playing an early pass forward into the channels for the striker to receive. I am not advocating an aimless long ball pumped in desperation. What I am advocating is a midfield player whose first thought is to look forward and play that channel ball, be it passed assertively on the ground or clipped into an area for the striker to receive ball and keep possession.

A midfielder’s first instinct must be to always look forward and my observation from the game vs Papua New Guinea was too many passes going sideways and backwards. Malaysia need to trust the front players’ ability to maintain possession or at least harass the opposition defence and win a throw-in or corner kick. Agreed, it’s horses for courses. Safee Sali and Norsharul, who are in their advancing years, want the ball to their feet where they can link-up with supporting players. Darren Lok and Hazwan Bakri, being younger and more dynamic, are happy to make those runs that stretches the opposing backline.

The pass forward to the strikers will not always be perfect. For Malaysia to have any chance in this Suzuki Cup, there can be no primadonas – these four strikers, when selected, need to work as hard as they have ever worked in their careers. Chasing lost causes and winning throw-ins & corner kicks will be vital. Working hard to get in front of the opposing defender and maintaining possession when Malaysia are under the pump is vital. And the icing on the cake is always creating & scoring goals.

With the emergence of Hazwan Bakri and late inclusion of Darren Lok, Malaysia now have a quartet of strikers with different assets. Safee has always been a good finisher with an eye for goal, which he will not lose even in the twilight of his career. Norsharul, when in the mood, is the best link-up player in the country. He shields the ball very well, allowing midfield players the time to push forward and support.

Hazwan is an all-rounder – he can receive to feet, he can get in behind and as we saw against Papua New Guine, he is a ruthless finisher as well. Darren Lok potentially offers something different to the other 3 strikers. He loves to run into channels and play on the shoulder of opposing defenders. He will chase lost causes and make life difficult for his marker. And as we saw against Papua New Guinea, he also has the ability to turn and run at players and be direct.

Malaysia’s chances will depend on whether they can get their midfield players in close proximity to the strikers in the final third of the pitch. This will allow the players to link together offensively, as they did in devastating fashion in the build-up to Hazwan Bakri’s opener against Papua. With good early service and strikers that are capable of retaining possession, this is a realistic expectation. However, if there are big gaps between the lines, you will see constant possession turnover.

Yes, I know it all sounds good in theory. And keyboard warriors will always talk a good game. As for me, I’m only looking forward to the Suzuki Cup, which gets underway on Saturday. Best wishes to all teams!