Tunku Ismail gives thumbs up to AFC’s Champions League expansion
KUALA LUMPUR: Tunku Mahkota of Johor Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim (TMJ) has given two thumbs up to the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) over their plans to expand the AFC Champions League by eight more teams to 40 in 2021.
Tunku Ismail said the move will open doors for more clubs to compete which is a positive thing for Malaysian football.
A decision on the proposal for the expansion will be made by the AFC executive committee and competitions committee soon.
“But I hope the clubs know that it’s not only about participation. The clubs have to improve their facilities, which will also benefit them in the long run,” said Tunku Ismail after visiting the AFC House in Bukit Jalil here yesterday together with the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) president Datuk Hamidin Mohd Amin.
“If all football clubs in the country have the same principle and mindset, our Malaysian football will surely improve.”
“We want Malaysia to be one of the most popular football countries in South-East Asia, but we must work towards having the best facilities, good club management, quality in our league and national team.”
Although Johor Darul Ta’zim have been recognised as one of the best football teams in Malaysia, TMJ said that his club still have a long way to go to win the AFC Champions League title.
“I’m realistic. It’s quite impossible now, because our project to revive football has only been a few years compared to the other big clubs in Asia who are more advanced.
“I’m interested for JDT to play in the league because it’s more prestigious. There is quality in the tournament and it will surely give the boys in our team the exposure in the league.”
Meanwhile, on JDT’s chances in the Malaysia Cup final against Kedah at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil on Saturday, Tunku Ismail said it would be equally contested.
“It’s a 50-50 match. In football anything can happen. I wish both teams the best.”