Malaysian football coach Kim Pan-gon speak to media before the training session at Wisma FAM yesterday. -29/11/2022/S.S.Kanesan/ The Star..
THE MALAYSIAN Super League kicks off today with bigger promises, given its increased cast of 14 teams – two more than the previous season.
It would have been 18 sides, if not for the exits of Sarawak United, Melaka, Petaling Jaya City and UiTM due to different reasons.
With a total of 182 matches, 50 more than in 2022, teams are also allowed to have nine foreigners, with only five starting and one on the bench during a game – a move in line with the Asian Football Confederation ruling.
Although there will be sceptics questioning whether a bigger league would result in higher quality, national coach Kim Pan-gon is hopeful of seeing more exciting matches where he can increase his pool of players for Harimau Malaya.
“I hope to see more highly competitive matches played at higher speed. That will be good for the national players and those hoping to be called up,’’ said the South Korean.
“We will continue to monitor every single game in the Super League and check out prospective players. We want to unearth more quality and talented players.
“We need to create a more competitive environment for the national team.
“We monitored 96 players last year, up to November. We want to make it even more extensive now.”
Pan-gon should also hope that the league will not be a one-horse race as last season’s quadruple winners Johor Darul Ta’zim badly need stiffer competition as they eye their 10th Super League title.
More teams stepping up to challenge the Southern Tigers will not only help to raise the commercial value of the league but also widen the pool of quality players for the national team.
Pan-gon would surely welcome more options in his squad, with the AFC Asia Cup coming up next year.
