KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Zainal Abidin Hassan, who was rated as among the best strikers in Asia in his heyday, wants locals to challenge the foreigners for first 11 places in the M-League.
Zainal, who scored 50 goals in his 129 appearances for Malaysia, said with the increase in foreign quota from five to nine this season, it will be tougher for local players to get places in Super League teams.
Zainal, 61, through his experience as a player and coach, urged locals to strive harder instead of giving up too easily.
"Not all import strikers are good, local players got to fight for places, prove to their coach why they should be in the first 11," said Zainal.
"I want to see more local talent, especially strikers, who are the most important in football, in the M-League.
"The gap between locals and foreigners is wide because local strikers take too many chances at goal. The imports are sharper due to their training.
"Our local players need to increase their training and polish their skills."