ASIAN players often dream about playing in Japan’s J-League as not only is it the continent’s toughest competition but it’s also a popular destination for top European scouts.
Many players in the J-League have gone on to have successful careers in Europe. Park Ji Sung, Shinji Kagawa and Keisuke Honda are among those who were scouted from the J-League and had great careers in Europe.
The J-League not only attracts the best of Asia but also world-class players like Andres Iniesta and Fernando Torres, who are currently playing for Vissel Kobe and Sagan Tosu respectively.
But sadly, Malaysian players are finding it very tough to break into the J-League.
While Thailand footballers are making headlines in the J-League, players from Malaysia and other Southeast Asian countries are struggling to find their footing.
Former Johor Darul Ta’zim II forward Hadi Fayyadh Abdul Razak signed with J2 club Fagiano Okayama for one season late last year in the hope of making it big.
However, the 19-year-old has yet to even make the bench for the club in J2 League matches.
Instead, the former Under-19 player is turning out for the club in the J-League Ikusei, a development competition for professional players who do not get regular playing time with their respective clubs. He has scored a goal in the competition.
Credit to Hadi Fayyadh for taking the risk in Japan, thanks to Yakult Malaysia Sdn Bhd, who created an opportunity for the Malaysian to attend trials with Fagiano, but the stint is affecting his career.
If this continues, Hadi Fayyadh will not be selected for the Philippines Sea Games later this year.
Six years ago, two Malaysians — Perak’s Nazirul Naim Che Hashim and Selangor’s Wan Zack Haikal Wan Noor — tried their luck in Japan with now J3 side, FC Ryukyu.
The former, who signed a one-year contract, did not play a single match due to injury while the latter, on a two-year contract, featured only for 80 minutes throughout the 2013 season. Both ended up packing their bags and returning home.
Based on their experiences, Japan is a tough place to survive in terms of football.
Of course, the three are not the cream of the crop of the M-League.
National forwards Safawi Rasid and Akhyar Rashid are definitely good enough to walk into any J1 League team, but the duo are happy with former AFC Cup champions Johor Darul Ta’zim, and it is unlikely that they would take a risk in Japan now.
Former national Under-19 coach Bojan Hodak said many harbour hopes of playing in the J-League and Europe but only a small number make it.
“It is not easy for a professional player to get scouted by top teams. For every 20,000 up-and-coming professional players, only about 20 will get a chance to play in, at least, mid-standard leagues in Europe,” said Hodak.
“The competition is stiff as football is the most popular sport in the world.”
On Sunday, Sports Minister Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman announced that national U-19 striker Luqman Hakim Shamsudin, a product of the
National Football Development Programme, will be heading to Japan next month for trials with J1 League side, Cerezo Osaka.
For Luqman, this is an opportunity to earn a professional contract with an overseas club.
Of course, earning a contract with a J1 League side will be huge for the Kelantan-born, but he should also consider whether Carezo would use him regularly in matches before penning his signature.
Players from Thailand, however, are having decent stints in Japan.
Thai midfielder Chanathip Songkrasin is a star in J1 League with Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo.
Last year, Chanathip was included in the J-League Team of the Season and is currently among the top 10 most valuable players in Japan.
Other Thai players currently in Japan are Thitipan Puangchan, Theerathon Bunmathan, Tawan Khotrsupho, Phongrawit Jantawong and Nattawut Suksum.