Pitch-side: Johor and Selangor by Sivan John

Credit: Selangor FA

Pitch-side: Johor and Selangor by Sivan John

One fine weekend, I decided to kick back and watch the movie Rocky Balboa. A reminder that this is not an article where I’m going to talk about my admiration for Sylvester Stallone. So just hold on to your horses then. Just that throughout the movie, I discovered something parallel that surrounds Malaysian football.  

In 2012, Crown Prince Tunku Ismail Idris (TMJ) launched his ferocious project called Johor Darul Ta’zim FC (JDT). As far as the domestic football scene is concerned, it was a breath of fresh air. Here is a team that is going to disrupt the status quo of Malaysian football but also daring enough to go where no team has gone before. From building a new stadium to assembling the best local + foreign talent to mega advertising, TMJ did everything that was deemed paramount to put JDT on the map. 

Of course, this sudden rise didn’t necessarily go down well with many within the football fraternity. TMJ’s ability to speak his mind often doesn’t rub well on everyone’s shoulder. In the beginning, almost everyone was turned on and tuned in to JDT’s triumph but when the hype got overboard, some opted to drop out.

Now, whether you love or loathe them, it’s all good for Malaysian football. As always a team that goes through success after success will only draw admiration from its supporters but displaying a sense of supercilious will also create envious feelings from the “haters”.

The character of Mason “The Line” Dixon from Rocky Balboa resembles JDT in every aspect. Here is a boxer who could do no wrong on the ring, beating every opponent that was thrown against him. Yet due to his cockiness and arrogance, he never gets the love and proper recognition for being an undisputed champion.

For the past few seasons, JDT has ran away with the league title almost without any jostle. At the start of the new season, some observers have joked that everyone else is fighting for second place. That doesn’t sound good if you ask me.

 Every year, JDT will always prioritise the Super League and their conquest in Asia over other matters. Other cup competitions tend to take a back seat, giving other teams a chance of seizing some honours. But when JDT does start to put focus on these cup competitions, it becomes another signed, sealed and delivered moment. The last Malaysia Cup final is a good example.

 Since JDT’s inception, there have been several potential contenders who could match up to them. In the early years, it was Pahang who could go toe to toe but eventually were phased out in the long run. Perak and Kedah were worthy opponents but neither has the aura to match JDT’s will.

Which brings us to another team, Selangor. Coinciding with JDT’s arrival, the last 10 years has somewhat been a stormy period for the Red Giants. Mostly that has been filled with epic turmoil due to internal political strife and stagnation of leadership. A far cry from what they used to be decades before that.

Before JDT had all the bragging rights for claiming they are the first to win an AFC title, it was Selangor who held that throne as Asian Club Championship finalist from 1967. Since that historical night in Dushanbe, JDT has been setting new heights on the continental stage. But on the domestic front, a part of me still feels that there is still room for argument. 

While it is a fact that JDT are writing their own annals but the term “history” may not be on their side when compared to Selangor’s. But like many football aficionados out there, it ain’t the “proper history” in the same mould as “Manchester City vs Liverpool” argument.

Now if that’s the case, surely there is room for some football romanticism that could serve as an antidote to anything that JDT stands for. And in my books, only Selangor has all the criteria to (in fact they should) fulfill that role. Staying with the subject of history, let's go back further shall we.

Since its formation, Selangor was already dominating the football landscape. Their supremacy was further cemented in the post independence years as it was experiencing an economic boom making Selangor the richest state in the country.

To solidify their paramountcy, they were able to assemble some of the biggest names in Malaysia. In return, the trophy cabinet began to start flooding in. A pattern of dominion which continued until the first decade of the new millennium.

Especially in the Malaysia Cup, where they would go on to win for a smashing total of 33 times in their entire history! Mind you in the pre-JDT years, the Malaysia Cup was the most eminent competition even though it didn’t have any AFC/continental incentive. Therefore, it does carry some weightage in our argument here.

This continuity of success meant it was time for the Red Giants to have its own “Theatre of Dreams”. Thus in the middle of the 1994 World Cup, Shah Alam Stadium with a capacity of 81,000 was officially opened. It is still the biggest stadium in the country apart from the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil.

Selangor FA’s superiority was so huge that they’ve made contacts with some of the biggest dynasty and empire in world football. JDT can brag about having a former World Cup winner (Lukas Podolski) visiting their training facility. Selangor FA can boast by the fact they have shared the pitch with not just a World Cup winner (Diego Maradona), but certainly one of the all time greats.

At the zenith peak of their eminence in the 1990s, arguably the biggest club in the world paid homage to the Red Giants with two exhibition games. Selangor FA hosted a Manchester United side that featured the likes of Peter Schmeichel, Steve Bruce, Lee Sharpe, Gary Pallister and a few rising stars such as Nicky Butt, Paul Scholes, the Neville Brothers and last but not least David Beckham!

In normal circumstances in any friendly against a Premier League side, support for the local team tends to sink without a trace. However, the two games held in Shah Alam weren't just about displaying United’s ginormous following in the Far East. On an equal Herculean moment, Selangor were able to draw at least 40,000 supporters and paint half of the stadium in a sea of red and yellow. 

Speaking of attendance, last year I took a friend of mine who supports Selangor for a match against Felda United. Unfortunately, the atmosphere on that night was simply dreadful. For someone who used to attend matches frequently in the 90s, he was quick to remind just how things are different these days. We were both able to gauge that nostalgic feeling.

Back then, Selangor were able to pull a crowd of 40-50,000 people for a weekday fixture. Just imagine what it was like on weekends then? As a result, Selangor’s total gate receipts were miles ahead from other teams. Because of their huge emolument, they were the first team to break RM 1 million signing mark. Once again proving the term “Red Giant” is a stature not just a nickname.

Now since I have gone through a somewhat broad detail on Selangor FA’s past, you might be wondering what’s the whole point in all this? You might say that the “past is past” and it's what happens now that matters. I won’t disagree with you on this. But hear me out for just a little longer.

Like JDT, Selangor too have turned to someone of a royalty background to revive their fortune. Today the club is spearheaded by Tengku Amir Shah (RMS, Raja Muda Selangor which means Crown Prince). Unlike TMJ, RMS is a polar opposite figure who prefers to adopt a more toned down strategy in bringing changes for Selangor FA.

Management wise, a team of young, vibrant and fresh faces have been installed to work alongside him. Promotion and marketing wise has also seen plenty of improvement. The club has a new training facility and a revamp academy. Relationships with fans have been more exuberant than ever.

For this season, the squad is given a new found strength following the merger with PKNS (another Super League side based in Selangor). Quality acquisitions were added too, most notably Brendan Gan. As a result of this coalescence, a feeder side known as  Selangor II was established, containing a large number of National Football Development Programme (NFDP) alumni were brought in. 

While the management and staff have done a wonderful job, all that is left is for business on the field to be delivered. Finishing the Super League in third place league last season will serve as a vital springboard for head coach B.Sathianathan. He has to mould a winning team that can take things to the next level.

By and large, Selangor fans are feeling very optimistic on the road map ahead. But only a good run and consistency in the league, could turn Selangor into a biggie and crowd puller. Despite its decaying condition, Estadio Shah Alam is itching for its seat to be filled into capacity number just like the good old days.

Selangor’s past is filled with a longevity of success in many areas. It also serves as a great reminder that there is a brand, a following and a history. Just one problem though, a lot of it is now left from a bygone time. Therefore, it is vital that RMS and his team revive those elements back into the current era. 

If they were able to accomplish this, it could just untie the many tangible and intangible commercial benefits that exist within Selangor.  After all with a large following and Red Giant moniker, “Selangor” are able to devise a strong label.

And we did mention, Selangor is still the richest state in the country. For being the heart of Malaysia’s industrial and commerce, it still houses many large and multinational companies. Imagine if a proper synergy could be established between Selangor FA and these companies. The outcome is very likely to be a win + win situation for all parties.

In order to attract these giant corporations, Selangor needs to establish a team that has a cogent marque value. While transformation off the field has seen many positives outcome, it needs to also be spilled over to the pitch. Only then this could potentially open the doors to plenty of endorsement and sponsorship deals.

This could only lead to Selangor’s coffer getting bigger and deeper. And when that happens, skies the limit. Signing a big name? No problem Selangor has done that. But keeping the big name happy? Not an issue again as “logistically” the Klang Valley has all the necessity indulgent and vice to keep a superstar contended. 

To be fair, JDT’s success is all down to their consistency in pressing all the right buttons from day one. But in the same reference, Dixon’s coach reminding him in the Balboa movie, a true champion needs to be tested under the baptism of fire from time to time. What JDT truly needs is a rival that could truly match its vigorous and vehemence on all levels.

To further consolidate Selangor’s success during their golden years, was the presence of a rival that was equally worthy, Singapore. For those old enough will know that the entire country will come to a standstill whenever these two battle it out on the football pitch. Football fans were treated to so many memorable affairs. 

A rival isn’t always an adversary but someone who could also play the complimentary role as well. I do feel in the current climate, JDT could do with one. And in Selangor, provided if the circumstances are right, we have a team that is capable of bringing a dose of approbation and antagonism to the plate. In return, fans could be treated with a modern “Clasico” affair.

This is not to say that Selangor should take the unsympathetic approach often championed by JDT. No, not at all! Fact is that will only make both teams behaving like Gemini twins rather than have polar opposite values.

Each team should stand uniquely on its own. As evident in the latest video with regards to their newly launched kit. Some say one was cringey and icky while the other professional and decent. Either way, just look at the amount of attention that Malaysian football has got from it. As the saying goes, any publicity is good publicity.

TMJ once mentioned playing against Selangor is like any normal match, nothing special. Okay, think we can accede to that. However in a recent video posting, TMJ went on to scorn Selangor’s status as ‘“King of Malaya”. He had some strong views such as non-ownership stadium and also JDT luring Selangor players among others.

Credit: Mirror

If memory doesn’t fail me, Sir Alex Ferguson used to mention Arsene Wenger’s name quite often and even lampoons him in the media when the Frenchmen first arrived in England. Deep down he knew that Arsenal under Wenger will pose a different threat than anything he has faced before. With the Gunners rising, these were signs of apprehension from the former United’s boss.

Perhaps there is a hint of trepidation behind JDT camp?

As we’ve gone through a great detail to talk about its economic potential, for now Selangor is still a long road away from looking like a team that can unsettled JDT’s throne. We do know there is verisimilitude effort from the management in putting the right things into place. That alone should create a sense of disquietude from any rival. Even the people behind JDT know this.

However, there is still a lot of work to be done before Selangor can truly accomplish that. Most importantly, the team needs to start delivering positive results on the field. 

Of course, the fans need to come back. When I mean comeback, I’m referring to back in magnitude numbers and revive  the kind of atmosphere that gave Selangor the tag Red Giant. I can’t think of any other way for this to be attainable apart from the team having a good run in the league.

Not forgetting the ongoing stadium issues. As we know Shah Alam Stadium has been plagued with maintenance problems. An understandable challenge from the management while acknowledging there is need to spend big but at the same time making arduous effort to keep things sustainable in the long run.

Whether the REAL Selangor will stand up against JDT this season remains to be seen though the latter still looks good enough to offset any challenger. I like to keep a sanguine feeling that the day of Selangor “knocking off JDT right off their perch” is bound to happen, just don't know when. 

What I do know when that happens, the real winner isn’t just going to be between Selangor and JDT. Instead Malaysian football will also stand to benefit the most. We’ve seen how other nations use their “Clasico” (if that’s what you want to call it?) as a sales pitch to promote their league. Time now the Malaysian Super League to have one of its own.

With that said, hello to the 2020 MSL and look forward to (hopefully) a none run of the mill season!

This Write up was written by Sivan John, who you can follow @SivanJohn_ on Twitter. Thank you Sivan for the write up on padangbolasepak.com, a genuine piece!

Pitch-Side: Is a new series by Padangbolasepak.com where passionate and eloquent football fans can share their sincerest thoughts about the state of the sport. Disclaimer, it is their respectful opinion on the matter, padangbolasepak.com just merely provides the space to host these honest write ups.