KUCHING: Former Malaysian goalkeeper Syed Adney Syed Hussain highlighted the significance of focusing on the basics, even as players progress in their careers.
“The basics are very important throughout your career,” he explained, pointing out that top teams continually train on these fundamentals.
He believes that consistent coaching, proper motivation, and a positive environment are key to nurturing future talent.
Syed Adney also stressed the importance of exposure through tournaments, which are now abundant in the country.
He pointed to successful models like the Mokhtar Dahari National Football Academy (AMD), which centralises training and provides focused facilities to help players excel, citing examples like Arif Aiman, who has gone on to play at a high level in Johor.
Syed Adney’s vision for the future of Malaysian football is one where these systems and resources help produce more players like Arif Aiman, setting the stage for a brighter future for the sport in Malaysia.
He shared his insights on the future of Malaysian football, particularly from the grassroots level, stressing on the importance of maintaining consistency in coaching as young players grow, especially when they reach the age of 14 and 15.
According to Syed Adney, while Malaysia’s youth teams have previously been able to compete with top clubs internationally, the challenge lies in sustaining their performance as they get older.
“Once we go past the 15, 16-year-old barrier, it’s a different story,” he said in a recent exclusive interview with Sarawak Tribune.
Looking ahead, Syed Adney urged that responsibility for developing youth football should not fall on one academy alone, but should be a national effort, with all states contributing to the development of quality youth facilities and opportunities.
