Malaysian football league (Malaysian Super League) 2008/2009 season has born new and a few good players to be considered to play for Malaysia national team. It is after Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) banned import players to be in Malaysian league for 2008/2009 season. For some Malaysian’s supporter, it is interesting to see some of our own Malaysian player to show their true character and ability after the demise of import player. Although the Malaysian league has been faded because of the new rule from FAM, the Malaysian born players have their time to show and proved that they also good and great player. So, who do you think is good and better player this season? Is it true that’s we already found a cure for our lame national team? Let us see some of the players that can be considered as good enough this season and for the future of Malaysia.

AHMAD FAKRI SAARANI (Perlis FA)
Ahmad Fakri Saarani was born 8 July 1989 in Kota Bharu, is currently playing for Perlis in the Malaysia Super League. His is capable of playing as striker and right winger. Fakri made his senior debut for Perak in the Malaysia Super League match against Negeri Sembilan on 24 March 2007. He scored a hat-trick and had an assist in this game, which was won by Perak 5-1. I remembered at that time, my friend (Perak’s fan) said that he (Fakri) could be a BIG phenomenal at Perak in the future. That was in 2007. So, as for now, for sure he is good player and attacker but not for Perak. He moved to Premier League club which is Malaysian youngster or known as Harimau Muda. He scored and shows his capabily there and helps his team to grab the third position in Premier League. Then, for this season, he moved to Perlis under Irfan Bakti coaching. At Perlis, he showed that age is not a factor for him to be a first team player although he has to face challenges from other senior players and now have scored 7 goals in Malaysian Super League. He has participated in ASEAN Football Federation Youth Championship 2006 and 2007. For 2006 edition Malaysian youth team bagged runners up title in the league format competition and for 2007 edition, Malaysia have been in Final and loss to Vietnam 1-0.

RAZALI UMAR KANDASAMY (Perak FA)
Razali bin Umar Kandasamy was born 5 August 1986 in Perak. He is Perak football player and has been in impressive form this season by scoring 12 goals. He plays as a striker and has been an important player for Perak after a several changes in the squad for this season. With his height and strength, he has showed that he can be considered as a weapon for Perak because of his consistency in front of the goal. He was Perak Presiden Cup player and a high scoring player for that competition with 33 goals. With his ability, he should be considered to play for Malaysia at international level. Recently, he has been called to be in Malaysia under23 squad.

FAIZAL ABU BAKAR (Kedah FA)
Mohd Faizal bin Abu Bakar is currently plays for Kedah and a youngster who is developed by Kedah. Born 20 September 1990 in Kuala Nerang, Kedah, he played for Kedah Presiden squad before being promoted to the senior team this season. For an unknown player and a young player, Faizal start to gain his coach faith to put him in the first eleven for every game. He is now scored 6 goals in the Super League and it is impressive because he is just a young player in the Malaysia League now. After the end of import player’s contract such as Marlon James, Kedah has been struggle in search for the replacement. With the transfer of Hasmawi Hassan, the partner of Marlon James for every game, Kedah coach has give Faizal the opportunity to prove himself. For now, he has proved to be a potential player for Malaysian football.

BADHRI RADZI (Kelantan FA)
Mohd Badhri bin Mohd Radzi was born in 1984 and Kelantan player for this season. He played for PDRM before moved to Kelantan and being rewarded the captaincy. Before this, we might never heard of his name but for this season, he has showed to Kelantan fan his ability to bring the team back to their glory time. He plays in the centre of the midfield and provide ball for Kelantan attackers and also supply opportunity for his team with his passing. His ability to pass a good ball to the striker has made him a best midfielder at this moment and also proved himself as a good playmaker. By looking at his age now, he might be late bloomer types of player whom get at the best of his game late of his game career. But, at 25 years old, he can be considered to be filled in the national team squad. By seeing his ability in the league, he is worth for trying.

AMIRUL HADI (Selangor FA)
Mohd Amirulhadi Zainal was born 27 May1986 in Melaka. He is son of Selangor ex-player, Zainal Nordin. He showed his potential last year in the Suzuki Cup 2008 competition under Sathia coaching era. Although his physical is not showing that he is a strong candidate to play for the first team, but he has prove he has the ability. Seen as “Peter Crouch” for his physical appearance, he is a midfielder for Selangor and Malaysia team. He scored some of good goals and provide good passing and running to his teammates. He played for Selangor team in SUKMA 2004 and then being played for Selangor Presiden Cup. After showing some promises, he have been promoted to Selangor first team and played his first game against Melaka in 2006/2007 season and scored his first goal against Johor FC then.

NEXT in PART II (another 5 players)