Pitch-side: On Mohamadou Sumareh by Sivan John

Photo credit: Malaysian Football League

I want to take you back to the date of 14th February 2015. For many people, this was a day of celebration that involves gifting flowers, candlelight dinner and popping champagne. Not for me though.

Having survived a breakup for about 8 months ago, I choose to go to Shah Alam Stadium instead. There was a Super League fixture between reigning champions Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT) and newly promoted side Police Force (PDRM). Not a bad way to spend way your Valentine's Day I guess.

Of course the main attraction I came for is the star studded visiting side from the south. PDRM was the designated home team. As a club side with no sense of belonging, there were hardly any fans that were supporting them. Instead Shah Alam was transform into mini Larkin. I can still recall taking the cab from Batu 3 train station, there were only a sea of red and blue as I was approaching the stadium.

JDT had the better start and were looking promising to score, Luciano Figueroa among the culprit. Kudos to PDRM’s back-line who held firm throughout the game. But something else was happening on the field that caught my attention.

PDRM had a front three attacking line up consist of Maldivian Ali Ashfaq, Malian Dramane Troare and Mohamadou Sumareh from Gambia. As PDRM were slowly getting into the game, I begin to notice a pattern of game-play between the three of them. Their zigzag movement was giving trouble to JDT’s defense all night along. It was so beautiful, reminds me when Barcelona had Lionel Messi, Thierry Henry and Samuel Eto’o.

JDT’s midfield dynamo Hariss Harun was force to come down to help the defense. Clearly the likes of Marcos Antonio and Junior Eldstål weren’t able to cope with the pace from PDRM’s SAT (Sumareh-Asfaq-Troare). I swear at one point I saw Asfaq running past 5-6 JDT players and had he scored, it would have been as beautiful as Diego Maradona’s goal of the century.

Throughout the game my admiration for PDRM just kept growing, Their approach was a strong defense supplemented by the fearsome short passing attack. I begin to wonder how was this possible. They didn't seem unfazed by  the opponent of the night. Not bad for a promoted side.

It was then I learned their head coach is non-other than Azman Adman, a prodigious striker during his playing days. Perhaps in his book-play, the best form attack, is to keep attacking. And it wasn’t shock for me that PDRM took the lead thanks to a brilliant strike from Sumareh. PDRM were the well deserving winner of the night.

Though Asfaq and Troare takes most of the credit but Sumareh was the unsung hero for PDRM. It’s not just about the goal he scored but his overall style of play. His trickery and dribbling skills were phenomenon. Not forgetting his ability to drag the defense out wide and make those key passes for Asfaq and Troare. Azman Adnan and PDRM, have a gem in their books.

Three years from that day, Mohamadou Sumareh is officially now recognized as a Malaysian after obtaining his citizenship. For his reward over the last five years, he was called by Tan Cheng Hoe to join the Malaysian national team. This marking the first time, a “naturalized” player will done the famous yellow and black kit.

And I must say, ITS ABOUT TIME!

I have always been championed of bringing of naturalized player into the national team set up. I’m not going to run away from this.

Even so this subject has always been a delicate matter that needs to be treat carefully. In my experience of engaging with local fans on Twitterjaya, not everyone is open to this idea. We loathed at our neighboring country for adopting such approach. It something that I had come to terms with I wrote an article on the Malaysia vs Singapore World Cup qualifier from 2011 for the Football Pink magazine. Nevertheless, I respect everyone views on this matter.

There is always a strong stands against this as many feel the football association will start to behave complacent when it comes to producing home grown talent. Under any circumstances, grass-root football should never be compromised. Hope that clears the air.

Not one will tolerate the idea of having a national team 100%  made up of naturalized players. But as long it helps to close to gap that exist in the current set up (lack of genuine goal scorer in the league or a creative midfielder), that's fine by me.

We do know that even footballing superpowers such as Germany, Italy and even Japan have adopted this approach. But instead of comparing with them, let's look at within this country itself. After all, the idea of giving citizenship to foreigners to compete as Malaysian isn’t something new. This method has been embrace in other sports and has paid dividend for the country.

Sports isn't the only field on which citizenship is given to people from abroad.  Professionals involved in various commerce and industries have also became “Malaysians” after having stayed for a length of time. For that we thank them  for their contribution in building this country. Of course, all this is subject to that they fulfill the requirements as stipulated in the country’s law.

So why football should be excluded from this?

Over the years, there has been some exemptions made for players who have certain Malaysian backgrounds. Personally I don’t see the difference. It doesn’t matter what is parentage background, if you never had a Malaysian passport yesterday but received one today, you are naturalized, simple as that.

One of the rules stipulated by FIFA with regards to naturalization is..

He has lived continuously for at least five years after reaching the age of 18 on the territory of the relevant association.

In a nutshell, I think it's fair rule.

Sumareh has spent his entire professional career in this country since 2013. He fits the bill perfectly. Some may say he doesn't get offer from elsewhere and Malaysia is the only country that can employ a player like him. How true is that? I don't know. But what I do know, he is one of few genuine imports that have come here and let his football do the talking.

Despite of all the drama and trouble the often surrounds Malaysian football, he's one of the few who have stick around long enough. That to me shows what a tough character that he possess. From my humble knowledge, I've barely heard any negative opinions about him. He is just the kind player that every team wishes to have in the dressing room.

There will be added pressure on Sumareh when he makes his international debut. As the first of his kind, expectation will be high. Everyone will keep a tab on this to see how it goes. One bad game, the reaction on social media will lead to a complete meltdown.

My advice, go easy on him. Give him time to settle and gel with his national team colleagues. In due time, God willing, you will see exactly what I have witness on Valentines Day three years ago. The national team is in dire need of some midfield spark plug who can either create or score a cracker. Hopefully Sumareh can occupy that role.

It is an open secret for every footballer has this wish to play at the highest level. The highest level means to ability to play for your country on the international stage. Surely a player like Sumareh has the same desire too. We heard so much about people migrating to the US to achieve the American Dream. Why not give a player like Sumareh the chance to fulfill the Malaysian Dream?

In an ideal world, it is nice to have the Ali's, the Ah Chong's and the Appu's to play for the national team. But there is no harm in having a little a bit of  Antoines, the Andreis or the Alfonsos. After all, we have always been a real ballyhoo when it comes to our diversity. So lets include a fair deal of color into that mix shall we.

Provided that these “foreigners” have a pukka heart in giving something back to the country that they have call home. Malaysian football needs all the help it can get. Should they be willing to give us a succour hand, let us welcome them with open arms.

With that said, I would like to say to my Malaysian brother from another mother, welcome to the Harimau Malaya squad. Hope you enjoy your time playing for your new nation. I don't ask for so much, just give us your best and play to the best your ability.

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!

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.