Even though the state team failed to qualify for next year's Super League, i am confident they will come back stronger next year. This is due to the changes take place in PBNJ, powered by the new owner's ambitious plan and financial strength. Tunku Ismail Ibni Sultan Ibrahim's vision has bring new hope for Johor football.
Players salary has been adjusted to motivate the team to perform better, as a result we can see the late push by Johor fa in the final 4,5 games in the premier league. Fandi Ahmad was brought in to help the team's technical dan tactical improvisation. News highlighting the appointment more as a technical adviser. But for next season, i believe Fandi's role could be a bigger one. I predict Fandi Ahmad will be appointed as head coach for the first team next year and will be assigned to lead Johor Fa for Super league automatic promotion spot. I believe the Singapore legend has what it takes to deliver the desired result. He won tittles in Singapore league, as well as coaching experience in Indonesian Super League.
News of Argentine great Gabriel Batistuta joining the technical team was also an exciting prospect. However, as to date, he is largely seen as a mediator for PBNJ in their effort to land quality players from Argentina. Juan Roman Requelme, Pablo Aimar, Andres D Allesandro, David trezeguet and even Michael Owen were mentioned to be linked with next years PBNJ signings. HOwever, so far no conclusive agreement was made between PBNJ and the said foreign stars.
Tunku Ismail himself declared that he want to see an improved Larkin Stadium in term of up todate facilities, including training complex for the team. More football fields to be build across the state, to accomodate the publics interest to the game.
The nature of football fans in Johor is that, they want to support a winning side. A football team that competitive enough to deliver 3 points every time they play in the league, either at home or away. Fans nowadays demanding a team that have the consistency, high level discipline, great resilliance, desire to win at all cost, battling for every ball and the most important factor is beautiful flowing passing attacking football. The fans need that before they could spent their money for a ticket, or before they spend on team's merchandise such as shirt and mafla.
In short term, to build a very attractive attacking side would be by spending big on local talents across the nation. Players with quality, flair, great positive attitude, experienced need to be brought in to strenghten the squad. Players like Farizal Marlias (GK-Negeri sembilan), Fadhli Shas (Harimau Muda), Fandi Othman (Harimau Muda), Irfan Fazail (Harimau Muda) and Baddroll Bakhtiar (Relegated Kedah) could be an excellent addition to the squad. By winning in style, is the only way to seduce fans back into the stadium.
In longer term, currently Johor have their own domestic league in Liga Johor and Piala Sultan Johor. I hope PBNJ could raise the standard of the league by imposing 'A' licensed coach to be allowed to handle any participating team. This will improve the domestic's club technical and tactical ability. Also i suggest at least 3 players on each starting eleven must be below 20 years old. This will help the talents to grow in Johor.
Not to forget TMJ's plan to build a football academy in Nusajaya, which is vital for the growth of any football team. If possible, the coaching set up in that academy must be headed by a reputable foreign coach. People like louis Van Gaal, Gerrard Houllier, Pep Guardiola and more are the one we need to have in order to produce the best.
With planning are in place, sponsors are lining up, ambitious management in work, i could tell you the excitement is building up in Johor. Football is the missing puzzle in johor's society, and they will finaly have a team to be proud of. Me too, felt the wave of the return of the southern tiger to the top of Malaysian football in the near future. Johor fans certainly have something to cheer about.
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