- 3 months ago
From the 48-team debate to Japan’s rise and Malaysian League representation, the Star Sportcast's T. Rahul with pundits T. Avineshwaran and S. Saktesh reflect on the tournament’s biggest talking points and what they mean for football at home.
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00:04Welcome back to the STARS Podcast. I'm your host Rahul. Today we'll be stepping back away from the
00:09games and looking at a bigger picture question. What is this World Cup actually telling us? And
00:15with us today we have Avi and Saktish. As you can see it's a bit cold in the studio today
00:20for a few
00:21of us. Except here. It's quite warm here. I'm feeling summerish at the moment. Summer World Cup.
00:26So how are you guys doing? All good? Okay, all good. How are you? Good, good. Not too bad.
00:31So let's dive right into it. So the group stage is done. 48 teams, round of 32 that we've never
00:38actually seen before actually. And a tournament that genuinely felt a bit different this time.
00:44So what do you guys take on this? Did FIFA make a right decision with the 48 teams?
00:49I think it's an inevitable decision. As it grows you're going to want more teams to compete and
00:56already we are seeing so many new things when the World Cup is going to the US. Especially with
01:00you know your hydration breaks. Three countries hosting the World Cup teams. All the issues aside.
01:07I think having more teams to work up is like the last thing to be concerned about. I think it's
01:12a
01:12good thing. It means more games. More games for people to go and watch. Which means more new fans,
01:18more fans get to you know live their dreams. So it's hard to find a downside. You get more chances
01:23for
01:23teams to fight for a place in the knockout stage. So yeah I really have no issues with more teams
01:30competing in the World Cup. But I don't know if you want to expand more than this though. After
01:34more than this then it doesn't feel like there's something to qualify or fight for already at that
01:39point. You know if there's too many teams. Kind of an over killer to have. I'm still there they're
01:44planning to have 64 in the next edition. And I'm like no 48 is just enough. Just perfect. I mean
01:51changes do come. Football you will have lots of changes happening. Even the
01:55last Euros or so you had more than now you have 24 teams playing. First they were against it but
02:00now
02:00they're celebrating it. They feel like it's the right move. So the same thing with this World Cup,
02:0448 teams. A lot of question marks were there in terms of the quality of the opposition, how the
02:10games are going to be and so on. The first match week we saw a lot of good games and
02:16we have seen
02:16the teams were making the debut producing really good performances. And one stand out to me is Keabwadi.
02:23They had one keeper who decided to produce a masterclass and then you had in the second game they held
02:32another team and they scored two goals. They showed plays. They had plays who had the potential to be
02:39world beaters as well. So they exhibited that. And I think with 48 teams you have diversity.
02:45You have a lot of stories to throw around, to read about, to know. And for some people it's also
02:53like
02:53a geography lesson as well because a lot of nations are taking part. For example people didn't know that
02:58Kaurasa was actually an island. Keabwadi was actually an island. That kind of stuff. And now
03:03people are getting to know what Uzbekistan is all about. In the past we know it's a landlocked nation
03:07but now people are talking about Tashkent, the players, how the vibe is there and so on.
03:12So I think in that sense when you have lots of teams competing you will learn a lot and you
03:17will see a
03:17different side of football. It's visibility. You get to really put out your whole country on the world
03:23stage and it's not just that. Like you have fans who, people I know who have never watched football
03:27or yet alone a ball being kicked around, are watching World Cup matches now. Or
03:32granted maybe the highlights or people in the US are going to bars and watching World Cup because
03:36everyone else is watching it. So yeah, you just have more teams, gives more smaller teams chances
03:42to enter the World Cup and compete. So yeah, there's nothing wrong with it.
03:45And clubs are also looking at other talents as well. They can scout players, not just from
03:50prominent nations but they realize that, oh wow, this country has this player, we can sign him,
03:55you know, that kind of thing. For example, Abdukhodik was son of, he was just a regular kid playing
04:00in his backyard in Uzbekistan, then played youth football in Uzbekistan, suddenly he went to
04:06lawns and you know, that's where his career kick started. So those kind of narratives would be
04:10the ones that we should look at, celebrate and that would only happen if you have more teams
04:15taking part in a tournament. So let's, I'll give you a hypothetical situation, right?
04:19Both of you are in the voting committee in the FIFA boardroom and like you're voting on whether
04:24you want to keep the 48 teams for 2030. Do you keep it or do you suggest changes?
04:29Keep it, keep it, keep it. Don't increase it, keep it, keep it.
04:33I think there are other things that we should vote on instead of that, huh?
04:37Yeah, maybe.
04:40Alright, so let's move on to the next question. The next generation of footballers, you mentioned
04:45how the World Cup, like there are young stars coming up who we've never actually heard of before,
04:49right? So, and like the bigger tournament I guess also includes more teams, more chances for people
04:55we've never seen or heard or to make a name for themselves. So, who has surprised you? You mentioned
05:01one name earlier. Are there any else? Anyone else?
05:04I think for me is, I was looking forward and I'm still enjoying watching him is Lamin Yamal. Like
05:10it's one of the best names to say, to be honest. But yeah, he's to me exciting.
05:17Some may say he's over-hyped, but I feel like the hype is deserved. Yes, there are elements
05:22of over-hypeness, but it comes with reason, I feel. I like watching him and I like when
05:28he started, that day he scored his first World Cup goal. Second youngest scorer in the World
05:34Cup after Pele. I mean, Pele's stats are always funny, so I don't know when he scored his first goal.
05:39Oh, when he was 17. I'm sure you asked Pele, he said five, but you never know. I know,
05:44I'm lost in peace. But Lamin Yamal, yeah, he's a, to me he's one of the exciting ones to watch.
05:51Brazil also has a few youngsters coming up, I think, Andrik is one of them, a few other players.
05:57You mentioned about Andrik. I think Brazil is, yeah, Avi knows Brazil.
06:01The one name that I think has been playing quite regularly, if you ask me now, is Rayyan,
06:07the Bournemouth winger. So, there are lots of question marks about his inclusion. Like,
06:13why is he starting games? I think he played against Scotland, 3-0 win. Any question why
06:21Andrik didn't play instead of him? Why Andrik didn't play, but he played. So, I understand
06:28why Ancelotti picked him, because he's got good work, he tracks back often, and he's very
06:34direct with the way he plays the game. So, in that sense, I think the moment he wanted
06:38directness to get the goals. And he, people like Ryan helps others shine. Vinicius has
06:44had a very good tournament. Four goals, people question whether he could make an impact. Looks
06:51like he is the man for Brazil at the moment. In a way, he's also kind of taking away the
06:56spotlight from the youngsters, because he's being in the spotlight. Right. Well deserved though.
07:01Yeah. So, Ryan is allowing that to happen, allowing his players to play. One play that
07:05has actually impressed me is Morocco's midfielder, Ayub Boadi, 18 years old, played two consistent
07:11games, if you ask me, and he's like the midfield general. Usually, midfield generals are 25 and
07:17above. I remember that in the past, we used to watch plays like Paul Scholes, Steven Gerrard.
07:21But after 2020, we see their, you know, full potential, how they...
07:25You know, it's unheard. Like last time, young players, 19, you're like, what? What? Yeah, exactly.
07:29Exactly. But Ayub has, you know, done so well, and he's one of the players that I've enjoyed
07:35watching so far in this tournament.
07:38Anyone you think is overhyped? Overhyped? Hmm. I wouldn't be able to say anyone that's
07:44overhyped. I wouldn't say... Depends who you ask though. It's like who you ask whether this
07:48player is overhyped. I mean, like you mentioned, some people say Lamin Yamal is overhyped.
07:51Some, yeah. Some, I mean, a lot of players, people would say, but to me, I wouldn't...
07:56Oh no, Lamin is class. I mean, even the second game or so, when he scored the goal, he wasn't
08:00playing to his fullest potential because he's coming back from an injury. So imagine when he plays
08:05at least 100%. Oh my God, he's going to kill teams. He's good. Yeah, I mean, people would
08:09say he's arrogant with his, you know, pre-match talks and all that. But that's him. That fires
08:14him. And he shows it on the pitch. And he's Pencer's main player. So, yeah, he's... I wouldn't
08:20say he's overhyped. I wouldn't say he's overhyped. The hype is deserved. He deserves the hype.
08:24And if you ask me, any players are overhyped? I don't think so. No. I don't see it that way
08:28so far in this tournament. Yeah, I think we agree on that. So far, no. Even the top, top players
08:33have started squaring goals. Vinicius 4, Mbappe 4, Messi 5, Ronaldo 2, Haaland 4...
08:38Yeah, if those big players didn't score for 1-2 games... Yes, then we'll say, yeah, they're
08:41overhyped. For the World Cup, they may be here. Yeah. So now let's shift focus to Japan,
08:47right? Every tournament, people say they're not going to get past the group stage, they're
08:51not going to do this, they're not going to do that. They've been made fools all the time.
08:54Japan keeps proving us wrong. Any chance they get, basically. So, what are your opinions
09:00on that? Like... All I can say is, you cannot underestimate this Japanese team. Yeah.
09:05They might not have Wataru, Endo, they may not have Kaoru, Miitoma, they may not have
09:09another player... Minamino also. Takumi Minamino. Yeah, they were injured before the World Cup, right?
09:14Yes, before the World Cup. All these top players for them. Yet, they're able to produce good
09:19performances. Why? Tactics. Yeah. We love surprises and Japan are just pulling it off. Yeah, organisation.
09:25That's why everybody keeps saying they're surprising the world. No, no. It was coming. But I mean, I think it's...
09:30In a way, surprised because 2-2 against Netherlands, that was a... It was a bit of a surprise.
09:35Can I be honest? I thought they should have beaten Netherlands.
09:37Really? Yep. I think it was a good result, but... Yeah.
09:40Because you know why? When they scored the second goal, I felt they could have gone for the kill.
09:43But they did not. They have that potential. Before they played Netherlands, many people say
09:49Netherlands are going to be the favourites. I'm like, no. Japan has what it takes to beat them.
09:53They can beat top teams. Because they have the resources, and they have a coach that is able
09:58to use those resources properly. Murray Asu, people do not like his game style.
10:03But when it comes to tournament football, you need those kind of coaches. At the end of the day,
10:07tournament football, you can entertain the masses. But the one that counts the most is the trophy there.
10:12World Cup. So that is how he's... That's how he's building this team.
10:17And I'm not surprised with what they're doing so far.
10:20I think Tunisia was good.
10:21Fournil against Tunisia.
10:22Fournil, yeah. Fournil against Tunisia.
10:24And then, you know, holding...
10:26They came back, actually. Not holding. They came back, and they could have looked for a winner.
10:30But they decided, you know what? It's okay. It's just the group stages.
10:32So they're able to manage their game very well.
10:36So I'm not surprised at all. I'm not surprised.
10:38This team cannot be underestimated.
10:39So whoever takes them on in the next round, they know they're going to take on a team that's capable
10:45of winning a World Cup.
10:47Yeah.
10:48So if they... Hypothetically, they do make a deep run into it as well.
10:51What do you think that means for Asian football in general?
10:56I mean, bias, because we are in Asia.
10:58But when it comes to World Cup, I think...
11:01I will support even South Korea, even though I was supporting up till that point.
11:06We are from Asia, so we're going to have a bit of biases to root for it.
11:10But I think it goes like, you know, it's not about borders anymore.
11:14You support every... You find a reason to support a team.
11:17I have nothing to do with Japan.
11:18But I'm going to support them because they're from Asia.
11:21So many people I know that support Brazil have nothing to do with Brazil.
11:25But they fell in love with Brazil back then.
11:27The same love that you can have for one team should not translate to hate for another team.
11:31Like, oh, I love Brazil, but I hate England.
11:33Find a reason to like England and support them.
11:36I don't think it's going to come home, but I still support England up to that point.
11:39Same thing with Japan.
11:41Like, it means for Asian football is you have Japan and South Korea,
11:45these teams are making it to the World Cup.
11:47Root for them.
11:48But see what we can do ourselves.
11:50But at the same time, just root for them.
11:51Like, there's no reason not to.
11:53For me, it's a lesson for every Asian team.
11:56Every Asian team.
11:57You know why?
11:57Because Japan has a plan.
12:00So they constructed a 100-year plan towards winning the World Cup.
12:05And now I think in the 50th or 60th year,
12:08that meticulous planning started off with bringing naturalized players to play for their national team.
12:14And then building their schools, their high schools, their universities, and then a superb league system.
12:22What you're seeing right now is a meticulous attempt to improve Japanese football.
12:27It's not immediate success.
12:29It took some time.
12:31And I think Asian teams need to emulate that.
12:33It's not all about the money.
12:34It's all about the planning.
12:36That is crucial.
12:37And looking at what Japan has done.
12:39You know, long time ago, Japan actually came to Malaysia to learn about our league system.
12:44And now we are trying to, we can't even close the gap with them.
12:49Right?
12:49So it's a lesson actually for all of us.
12:52Yeah, proud, but also a slap on our faces lah.
12:57Seeing this team able to produce the goods with such good development.
13:00And we are still struggling.
13:02I think the biggest slap is when you see countries that are a fraction of the size of ours
13:06or have a football association with a fraction of the size of ours in the World Cup.
13:11That I think is a...
13:12But yeah, it's development lah.
13:14How Japan has developed their grassroots development.
13:16You can see all their players are based in Europe now.
13:19They can have two squads filled with players who are based in Europe.
13:22That says a lot about this Japanese national football team.
13:25So it's not a surprise to see their success at all.
13:28Because they planned it well.
13:30There is no politics.
13:31It's just football.
13:32It's just the game.
13:33It's just the people.
13:34It's just focusing on the assets.
13:36Which are the players and the coaches.
13:38And I think that has to be the crux for all these Asian teams who are watching them right now.
13:43If anybody says, you see look at Asia we are doing so well.
13:46No, no.
13:47It's Japan who is doing well.
13:49That is the reality.
13:50And that's what we have to learn.
13:53Okay.
13:54Alright.
13:54So you mentioned the Malaysian league earlier.
13:56Hmm.
13:56We actually had some players from our league playing at the World Cup this time, right?
14:00So we had Jervain Kastanir for the Netherlands.
14:04Nour Al-Rawabdi for Jordan.
14:07Muhammad Abu Al-Nadi for his country.
14:10And how do you think they did?
14:12Like, was there anything that you learned watching them?
14:16Like, from the way they play here and the way they play there?
14:18Like, was there any difference?
14:19Or?
14:19No.
14:20For their respective clubs in Malaysia, they are the key players.
14:22But the one that stood out for me was Nour Al-Rawabdi.
14:25Played for Selangor.
14:26Yeah, played for Selangor.
14:27And I think if you check his statistics, among all the players in the World Cup,
14:31he has clocked the most kilometers.
14:34He assisted their first ever World Cup goal.
14:37I think he has like a 90% passing rate.
14:41Correct.
14:41And the guy he assisted also used to play for Selangor.
14:44So I think Nour has been the standout with his performances.
14:48It's not just his passing moment and everything.
14:50His leadership.
14:51His character.
14:52His work rate.
14:53His intensity.
14:54He has been a standout.
14:56Kastanir has had two substitute appearances.
14:58I feel sad for him because in the qualifiers he was their top scorer.
15:01But yet he is not starting games.
15:02They are a player.
15:03Dick Advocat wants to play Jogan Lokadia up front.
15:07And then Abu Al-Nadi is more of an impact sub as a left back.
15:10So they have done well.
15:11And their contribution towards our league is...
15:13They bring in quality.
15:15We learn from them.
15:16And that would be the take away from that.
15:20I think it goes to show that we have teams with the quality that attract these kind of players.
15:25Correct.
15:26It's one thing to not take away from as well.
15:29And yeah.
15:30We have a pretty good league.
15:32We have players like this.
15:33And I can't wait for them to come back honestly.
15:35Only one of them.
15:36Only two of them I believe is coming back.
15:38If I'm not mistaken.
15:38I think it's only Noor or...
15:40Even Noor is a bit shaky.
15:41But Javen is coming back.
15:42I mean our league.
15:44We have the teams that are able to attract these players.
15:46But the league itself has to be better.
15:48In my opinion.
15:49You know.
15:49We only have 13 teams at the moment.
15:51Now they want to increase it to 16.
15:53But the quality of the league over the past 11 years or 12 years has not been that great.
15:59In terms of competitiveness and so on.
16:01So that has to be worked out.
16:03I think Malaysian football in essence a lot needs to be done.
16:06And that one is another episode in itself.
16:08So do you think like we...
16:10Eventually we will see more players from our shores at the World Cup?
16:13Or...
16:14I hope so.
16:15That's my only answer at the moment.
16:16I hope so.
16:17We can hope.
16:18I hope so as well.
16:19I would love to see that.
16:20Yeah.
16:22Alright.
16:22So our last segment for today.
16:24And this one's a bit personal.
16:26We watch a lot of football.
16:27So we've seen teams press, counter, dominate.
16:31So what have we learned?
16:33Tactically.
16:33Technically.
16:34That we hope that our league and our Harimah Melaya can emulate basically.
16:40My biggest takeaway is...
16:42Sounds as cheesy as it is.
16:44But...
16:44It is possible.
16:46You can make it to the World Cup.
16:48Like anyone...
16:49Not to say anyone can.
16:50But quite literally anyone can.
16:53But...
16:54It also goes to show you can do it if it's done.
16:58The right way to some extent.
16:59Like...
17:00Do it...
17:01Properly with heart and like...
17:03Honesty at least.
17:05You can get results.
17:07But...
17:07That's honestly my takeaway.
17:09Yeah.
17:10I think this World Cup...
17:12I've learnt a lot in terms of how...
17:14Teams are managing themselves on the field.
17:16And off the field as well.
17:17Off the field in the sense that...
17:18How they are prepared before the tournament.
17:20The accommodation.
17:22The fan engagement.
17:23Being around there.
17:24I mean America when it comes to sports.
17:25It's...
17:26It's a...
17:27It's a way of life.
17:28It's a way of life.
17:29And the way they...
17:30Monetize it.
17:31It's good.
17:32The commercialization aspect of it is good.
17:34It's something that...
17:35To an extent.
17:36To an extent.
17:36To an extent.
17:36But a lot of us can learn actually.
17:39Even their grassroots.
17:40Their collegiate system and everything.
17:42It looks good.
17:43And if you look at the games that they've watched.
17:45The fanfare.
17:46I mean we've been talking about ticket prices.
17:48Skyrocketing and so on.
17:49But still fans are there watching it.
17:51And...
17:52Whoever that is in the States.
17:54Mexico or Canada.
17:55Watching these matches.
17:56They will have...
17:57They are having fun.
17:58Having fun.
17:59Because the quality of matches have been good.
18:01We have been...
18:02It's not just about...
18:03Thinking about tiki taka and so on.
18:05Now we...
18:05We also enjoy the defensive aspect.
18:07Of matches.
18:08Like...
18:08For example.
18:09A smaller team is packing the bus.
18:11But they are not just packing the bus.
18:12They are making sure that...
18:13It's also compact in the middle of the park.
18:15And so on.
18:15And we are learning all that.
18:17Because...
18:17At the end of the day.
18:18There will be a divide.
18:19You have the bigger nations.
18:20Who are able to play better football.
18:21And then you have the smaller nations.
18:22Who...
18:22Who want to frustrate these things.
18:24And show that...
18:24Hey...
18:25We are here for a reason.
18:26That kind of thing.
18:27So I think I am learning...
18:28More about the passion.
18:29The determination.
18:30And also...
18:32Football...
18:33I mean I was afraid with the fact that...
18:36Now e-sports is taking prominence.
18:38Like a lot of kids are enjoying it.
18:42But one...
18:44Moment.
18:45I was driving back home.
18:46So there is a small padang.
18:48In my house.
18:49In the past.
18:50Whenever it is World Cup.
18:51Or any kind of tournament.
18:51We will always play football.
18:53On the streets.
18:54Field and so on.
18:56Nowadays when I go...
18:57To my housing area.
18:58I see kids in the house.
18:59They are cycling for like 5-10 minutes.
19:01And going back home.
19:02But now they are playing football.
19:03It is because of the World Cup.
19:04And I hope this continues.
19:06I mean...
19:06You can see that...
19:07Football will remain...
19:09A top game.
19:10The beautiful game.
19:11And everybody will still play it.
19:13So in that sense.
19:14Yeah.
19:15Hope is there.
19:16And as for a nation.
19:17We...
19:17I hope we don't just watch it for fun.
19:19Watch these games to learn.
19:21Whether it is the coaches or the players.
19:23I have spoken to some...
19:24Local players here.
19:25To ask their take on how the games have been.
19:27And yeah.
19:27They are sharing lots of...
19:28Their thoughts.
19:29And yeah.
19:30Hopefully in the weeks to come.
19:31We can invite some of these players.
19:32To actually share their thoughts.
19:34And so on.
19:34Yeah.
19:35Yeah.
19:35That would be really cool too.
19:38So...
19:38Thanks guys.
19:39That was episode 6 of the Stars Podcast.
19:41The World Cup rolls on with the knockout stages.
19:43Enjoy the late night.
19:44Enjoy the football.
19:45And we will be right here.
19:47Guiding you through it all.
19:48Thanks.
19:49Thanks.
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