Latest news with #JamalNasir
New Straits Times
a day ago
- Sport
- New Straits Times
'Harimau's overreliance on heritage players exposes structural flaws'
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia's withdrawal from the Central Asian Football Association (CAFA) Nations Cup has exposed two deep-rooted problems within the national team setup — poor internal structure and overdependence on heritage or naturalised players. This was stated by football legend Datuk Jamal Nasir following Malaysia's eyebrow-raising pullout from the Nations Cup. Jamal expressed his concern over the way Harimau Malaya is being managed. He described the current structure as uncoordinated and overly reliant on individuals instead of a unified system. There has been backlash from fans after head coach Peter Cklamovski — , instead of the national team CEO, Rob Friend or deputy CEO Stanley Bernard — announced Malaysia's withdrawal. "Harimau Malaya are 'so-called' privatised and managed by certain individuals. So if the structure is haywire, it's not about FAM, but within Harimau Malaya itself," he said. "Why doesn't the CEO speak? Why always the head coach? Perhaps something is going on in management that we don't understand." Jamal said a proper national team setup should not be thrown into disarray just because a few key players (Rodrigo Holgado, Imanol Machuca, Facundo Garces and Gabriel Palmero) were unavailable. "Why must we focus on just three or unavailable four players? Whether the tournament is inside or outside the FIFA calendar shouldn't be the issue. Unless we don't have a team at all, this shouldn't be a problem," he said. Jamal feels that Malaysia's dependency on naturalised players is making the team fragile and unsustainable in the long run. "We can't just rely on naturalised or heritage players all the time, they have their commitments too," he said. "We need to believe in the other players. When certain players can't come, we collapse. It shows a lack of trust in the rest of the squad." He viewed the Nations Cup as an ideal platform to build the Malaysia squad, especially against quality opponents like Iran, Tajikistan and Afghanistan, and prepare for the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers. "We need to be brave. Don't be scared to lose. This is the time to see our strengths and test ourselves competitively." Jamal questioned the decision-making on the withdrawal and the handling of the affair. "When the invitation came, you need to sit down and plan properly, whether you can play or not, whether your players can be released or not," he said. "Only when that's confirmed, then send the letter of confirmation to CAFA. Don't confirm first, then only ask questions later. That's unorganised. It opens the door for criticism that always goes unanswered."
New Straits Times
a day ago
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Harimau Malaya's 'haywire' management
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia's withdrawal from the Central Asian Football Association (CAFA) Nations Cup has exposed two deep-rooted problems within the national team setup — poor internal structure and overdependence on heritage or naturalised players. This was stated by football legend Datuk Jamal Nasir following Malaysia's eyebrow-raising pullout from the Nations Cup. Jamal expressed his concern over the way Harimau Malaya is being managed. He described the current structure as uncoordinated and overly reliant on individuals instead of a unified system. There has been backlash from fans after head coach Peter Cklamovski — instead of the national team CEO, Rob. Friend or deputy CEO Stanley Bernard — announced Malaysia's withdrawal. "Harimau Malaya are 'so-called' privatised and managed by certain individuals. So if the structure is haywire, it's not about FAM, but within Harimau Malaya itself," he said. "Why doesn't the CEO speak? Why always the head coach? Perhaps something is going on in management that we don't understand." Jamal said a proper national team setup should not be thrown into disarray just because a few key players (Rodrigo Holgado, Imanol Machuca, Facundo Garces and Gabriel Palmero) were unavailable. "Why must we focus on just three or four unavailable players? "Whether the tournament is inside or outside the FIFA calendar shouldn't be the issue. "Unless we don't have a team at all, this shouldn't be a problem," he said. Jamal feels that Malaysia's dependency on naturalised players is making the team fragile and unsustainable in the long run. "We can't just rely on naturalised or heritage players all the time, they have their commitments too," he said. "We need to believe in the other players. When certain players can't come, we collapse. "It shows a lack of trust in the rest of the squad." He viewed the Nations Cup as an ideal platform to build the Malaysia squad, especially against quality opponents like Iran, Tajikistan and Afghanistan, and prepare for the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers. "We need to be brave. Don't be scared to lose. This is the time to see our strengths and test ourselves competitively." Jamal questioned the decision-making on the withdrawal and the handling of the affair. "When the invitation came, you need to sit down and plan properly, whether you can play or not, whether your players can be released or not," he said. "Only when that's confirmed, then send the letter of confirmation to CAFA.
The Star
06-07-2025
- Sport
- The Star
Pahang legend Jamal admits decision to withdraw from Super League was inevitable
Bad omen: Pahang's Sergio Aguero is shown the red card during the Malaysia Cup final against Johor Darul Ta'zim on April 26. Pahang went on to lose 2-1. PETALING JAYA: The absence of several once dominant clubs from the Malaysian football scene has raised alarm bells, with the latest blow being the withdrawal of 2004 Super League champions Pahang from the 2025–2026 season. The Malaysian Football League (MFL) yesterday officially confirmed that last season's Malaysian Cup finalists had submitted an official letter dated June 16 to notify the governing body of their decision to withdraw from all competitions for the 2025–26 season. Former Pahang legend Datuk Jamal Nasir admitted the decision was disappointing but believes the management had no choice, especially given the club's past issues with unpaid salaries. He also urged fans not to point fingers at the management, who were forced to make this difficult decision. 'It's certainly a letdown for Pahang football fans. This club used to be among the best in the Super League and even reached the Malaysia Cup final. Now they won't be part of the league next season,' said Jamal. 'I'm saddened too, but I believe there are valid reasons behind the decision. The management may have been left with no alternative. 'I hope the fans will be patient. There may be several matters the club need to resolve first, even though they were granted the national licence. I believe pulling out of the league is the right decision for now. 'So to me, there's nothing wrong with Pahang taking a step back to regroup, make proper preparations and fix what needs to be fixed. ''Hopefully, they'll come back stronger in the future. Whatever it is, I remain positive about the decision,' he added. Speculation over Pahang's withdrawal had been swirling since March and gained further traction when club owner Tengku Abdul Rahman hinted at stepping away from managing the team next season, shortly after the Malaysian Cup final against Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT) on April 27. Earlier, Kedah and Perak also had to take the same route, pulling out of the Malaysian League due to worsening financial troubles. Both clubs are still dealing with salary arrears, with many players yet to be paid. With Pahang's withdrawal, only 13 teams have confirmed their participation in the 2025–2026 Malaysian League season. They are Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT), Selangor, Penang, Kuching City, Sabah, Terengganu, Negri Sembilan, Kelantan, Kuala Lumpur, Police and DPMM (Brunei), along with two clubs from the AFL A1, Malacca and Immigration.
New Straits Times
23-06-2025
- Sport
- New Straits Times
'Harimau should pounce on rare Nations Cup opportunity'
KUALA LUMPUR: The Central Asian Football Association (CAFA) Nations Cup offers a rare opportunity for Harimau Malaya to play world class teams outside Southeast Asia, said Datuk Jamal Nasir. Former international Jamal said this means Malaysia will not have to play the same old faces again in the region. And the national side get to prove themselves against more physical and tactically advanced nations. "Going to the Cafa Nations Cup is good exposure for our team because there are higher-ranked teams there. These are Arab nations, and we've had little exposure to them and we always lose. So now we have a chance to prove that we are better," he said. Jamal pointed out that playing against the World Cup-qualified sides will give Malaysia a better sense of where they stand and what needs to be improved. "It will help a lot because we are playing against World Cup teams and we get to see whether our standard is coming up. We can head in that direction if we perform well during this tournament," he said. Jamal credited Regent of Johor Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim and Fifa council member Tan Sri Hamidin Amin for using their networks to get Malaysia into the Nations Cup. He also supports the national team's move to "play less against Asean teams" and focus more on matches outside the region. "It's not that we belittle Asean teams, but we must move forward. Playing Arab nations is the best decision, and I credit those responsible. "If we perform well in these Arab tournaments, I'm confident Malaysia will improve even further and can take on bigger teams after this. I believe we can qualify for the final round of the Asian Cup," he said. Meanwhile, it is learnt that there will be a joint restructuring of the country's youth football development programme in July by the Youth and Sports Ministry, FAM, the Education and Higher Education Ministries. Jamal welcomed the move, saying it aligns with national ambitions and his hope to see Malaysia reach the highest level in global football.
New Straits Times
20-06-2025
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Sri Pahang's M-League withdrawal a 'reset,' says club legend
KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Jamal Nasir believes Sri Pahang 's withdrawal from the 2025-26 M-League should not be viewed as a failure but as a reset. The football legend, who starred for the Elephants in the 1970s, said the club must have had valid reasons to pull out of next season's competition and hopes it will allow them to regroup for a stronger return. While he admits the decision is deeply saddening, Jamal urged fans to remain calm and understanding. "It's heartbreaking, of course. This club once stood among the best in the Super League and even made it to the Malaysia Cup final. Now they're stepping away, and it's not easy to accept," he said. "I'm sad too, but what can we do? I'm sure there are unavoidable reasons behind this. Even though they obtained their national licence, perhaps there are internal issues that need to be resolved first." The Malaysian Football League (MFL) confirmed on Friday that Sri Pahang had submitted their withdrawal letter on June 16. The team's absence is a major blow to Malaysian football, considering their rich legacy in domestic competitions. The Elephants have won multiple titles throughout the years, including the Super League, Malaysia Cup and FA Cup. Their most recent silverware was the FA Cup in 2018, when they beat Selangor 2-0 in the final. Jamal highlighted the team's past financial struggles, including unpaid salaries, and urged fans not to point fingers. "Don't blame anyone. The management must've thought this through carefully. "Maybe taking one step back is necessary, so they can come back stronger later. I'm staying positive. This decision could be the beginning of something better for the club." Sri Pahang finished eighth in the 2024-25 Super League and were runners-up in the Malaysia Cup, making their sudden withdrawal all the more shocking. With their exit, only 13 clubs remain for the 2025-26 season — Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT), Selangor, Penang, Kuching City, Sabah, Terengganu, Negri Sembilan, Kelantan Darul Naim, KL City, Police, DPMM, Melaka and Immigration.
