Chapter 1 - The football scouting system (a)

I have a friend, his name is Yong Kuong Yong, and he is at the same age as me, born in 1988. He is a professional football player, playing for Kuala Lumpur FA in the Super League. You can see his name in the league’s website, jersey number 18: http://www.malaysiansuperleague.com/team_info.asp?t=SL&tid=30

He is born in Bukit Pelanduk, a village which I myself am from; it is in Port Dickson, Negeri Sembilan. This is a village full of passionate football players & fans, and has its own legacy and tradition.

Yong Kuong Yong celebrates after scoring for KLFA

Yong Kuong Yong was regarded as arguably the best football player this village has ever produced.

K. Rajagopal

In year 2009, at the age of 21, he signed his first professional contract for Kuala Lumpur FA. He was once called-in by K. Rajagopal (Malaysia’s current head coach of the national team), whom was then the under-23 national team head coach, for selection training in preparation for the SEA games, after fine performances for Kuala Lumpur FA.

My point is he is a very talented player.

But my second point, though, is the crucial one. Can you tell me at what age did Lionel Messi, Francesc Fabregas, Christiano Ronaldo signed their first professional contract? I’m not sure, but I’m sure it was before they had turned 21.

Okay, let’s not talk about them. I’ll talk about someone less famous. I’m a Manchester United fan. On the 5^th of April, 2009, Federico Macheda, who was 17 years old, wearing jersey number 41, on his debut for Manchester United, subbed-in late for the match in Old Trafford against Aston Villa, which United needed a win to win the title.

When the score was tied at 2-2, he scored a magnificent goal in the 93^rd-minute to help United claim a vital win, and United did win the title that year. You can watch it here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X1pgPFmXjC8&feature=related

These players got their first professional contracts at a very young age, probably around 18, latest.

Then, how can you explain a talented player like Yong Kuong Yong signing his first professional contract at the age of 21? 

One thing is for sure: if he was born in, not too far, Japan, he might be a well established professional footballer by now.

This short post is to give you a VERY VERY brief idea of the inefficiency of the football scouting system in Malaysia (which we will discuss to further detail in future posts), which is caused by the inefficiency of the Malaysian Football System as a whole (which we will also discuss to further detail in future posts).

PS: To my close friends, we have another example whom we are close to: our friend, Chong Kok Woon. However, Kok Woon's case is slightly different, which we will also discuss to further detail in future posts.