REMBAU, Aug 17 (Bernama) -- Malaysia’s rise to 10th in the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Club Competition Rankings is proof of the growing competitiveness of the country’s football on the Asian stage.
Malaysian Football League (MFL) president Datuk Ab Ghani Hassan said the development reflected the improved performance of local football clubs at the Asian level, following the consistent showing of the country’s representatives in continental competitions.
He said Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) was among the main contributors to the positive development through its consistent performances in Asia’s elite competitions.
“This development is very important because we know how to assess a league. Secondly, it shows the acceptance of our league by the global community, particularly Asia, and demonstrates that our league has potential and is becoming an attractive option for players to compete in,” he told reporters after the Exchange of Sponsorship Agreement Documents ceremony between Bubble O2 and MFL here today.
Also present were Bubbles O2 executive chairman Datuk Arifin Marzuki, Bubbles O2 chief executive officer Abdul Aziz Arifin and MFL chief executive officer Mohd Shazli Shaik Mohd.
Media reports had previously stated that, based on the Footy Rankings website, Malaysia accumulated 40.809 points from the performances of the country’s representatives in Asian club competitions last season, lifting the country from 11th to 10th in Asia after overtaking China.
Ab Ghani said the improved ranking would open up more opportunities for local teams to compete at the highest level in Asia, but each club must have clear and sustained plans to help improve the standard of football in the country.
-- BERNAMA