Kuala lumpur: Playing in Japan’s top-flight football, J1 League, has given national defender Dion Cools a new perspective about the game, one that he hopes will benefit both himself and Harimau Malaya. Cools, who plies his trade with Cerezo Osaka since last June, said the exposure to different systems and tactical approaches in Japan has helped him read the game better and share those insights with his compatriots on the pitch.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the 29-year-old, who has earned 37 caps and scored six goals since his debut for Harimau Malaya in 2021, said playing in Japan has also broadened his appreciation for the tactical discipline and diverse styles that define J1 League. Cools noted that Japanese football differs from Southeast Asian football, emphasizing the importance of exposure to new systems that he can identify on the pitch. He expressed his intention to assist his teammates by sharing his observations, potentially aiding the backline or attack in finding solutions during challenging matches.

Cools acknowledged that he enjoyed his time in Japan, where every team plays with its own distinct style. The variety of tactics and quality of competition in Japan, he added, has given him valuable experience and exposure to a higher level of Asian football. He also said that Malaysia has improved steadily since he first joined the national team, with stronger squad depth and greater cohesion among players.

Despite ongoing challenges in Malaysian football, Cools said the national team remains upbeat and united in their mission to qualify for the 2027 Asian Cup ahead of their Group F match against Nepal in the qualifiers next Tuesday. The Harimau Malaya, under the guidance of coach Peter Cklamovski, are sitting at the top of the four-team standings with a perfect record of four consecutive wins, including a 4-0 victory over Vietnam, their nearest challengers, in June.

Malaysia top the group with 12 points, followed by Vietnam with nine points, Laos with three points, and Nepal with no points. Only the group champions will qualify for the Finals to be held in Saudi Arabia in January 2027. In a separate development, the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) rejected an appeal made by FAM and seven heritage players regarding documentation issues. The FIFA Appeals Committee upheld sanctions for offences related to forgery of documents under Article 22 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code. Consequently, FAM was ordered to pay a fine of CHF350,000, while each player was fined CHF2,000 and suspended for 12 months from all football-related activities.