KUALA LUMPUR: Who should take the blame for Harimau Malaya's Asean Cup debacle?
Caretaker coach Pau Marti Vicente, the clubs, the FA of Malaysia (FAM) or the Malaysian Football League (MFL)?
While this debacle should be viewed as a collective failure of Malaysian football, Vicente bears only a small percentage of the responsibility.
Harimau Malaya's early exit from the Asean Cup, after a lacklustre 0-0 draw with an average Singapore side at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil, laid bare the cracks in the system.
In context, Singapore were thrashed 7-1 by Japanese club Yokohama F. Marinos and 3-0 by Super League champions Johor Darul Ta'zim in the build-up to the Asean Cup.
Yet, the Lions are now in the semi-finals of the tournament.
Despite their aspirations to regularly qualify for the Asian Cup, Malaysia struggled to even advance to the semi-finals of this regional tournament — a predicament that highlights a glaring issue.
The fans cannot entirely fault Vicente and the players.
The team showed commitment and heart, but many players were overburdened with club commitments during the tournament.
The Asian Football Federation (AFF) must ensure that future Asean Cups align with FIFA windows, enabling teams to field their strongest line-ups. However, the MFL could have mitigated the situation by adjusting the domestic calendar or minimising matches during the tournament.
FAM, too, should have negotiated with clubs to avoid disruptions during the Asean Cup.
Instead, it became a farce, as even journalists were confused about the availability of players for each match.
As a result, Vicente's job to guide Harimau Malaya to the semi-finals was hampered, with key players shuttling between national and club duties.
This disjointed arrangement was akin to Harimau Malaya shooting themselves in the foot.
Vicente also had limited time to prepare his squad, which only compounded the problem.
Many players appeared fatigued from an overloaded schedule.
Given these circumstances, Malaysia might have been better off skipping the Asean Cup altogether to focus on a fresh start under newly appointed national coach Peter Cklamovski.
The timing of the Australian's appointment — announced while Vicente and the team were focused on the Asean Cup — likely added unnecessary pressure.
Such distractions can undermine morale and team cohesion.
But frankly, even with a full-strength squad, it is doubtful that Malaysia could have clinched the Asean Cup.
Vicente managed to organise the team tactically, but poor finishing cost them. Their campaign took a turn with the 2-2 away draw against Cambodia in the opening match, a result that sealed their fate in the group-stage elimination.
Given the countless issues disrupting Harimau Malaya, it was inexcusable to even sell tickets to fans for Malaysia's Asean Cup matches at Bukit Jalil.
While Harimau Malaya remain a developing team with potential, their growth depends on systemic support.
Malaysian football's ecosystem requires an overhaul to meet the demands of the modern game.
Rome was not built in a day, but it became a superpower through persistence and strategic battles. Harimau Malaya must adopt a similar approach, backed by an effective and united football infrastructure.
This should replace meaningless initiatives with proper intent and clear goals.
Malaysian football needs major fixing — not just at the senior national team level but also at all levels, including the grassroots.
Strengthening the national team with naturalised players is not a long-term solution but a short-term fix.
Unfortunately, this reliance on short-term fixes has persisted for too long, with no proper quality players emerging from the grassroots.
This is deeply concerning, as Harimau Malaya's sustainability in the long run appears increasingly doubtful.
Adios Vicente, and thanks for your effort and dedication.
Here comes Cklamovski, tasked with taking Harimau Malaya to the next level.
* Ajitpal Singh is the Sports Editor of NST