The impact that they have made is phenomenal and with FAM bound to announce that teams are able to rope in foreign players, here are some players who have earned legendary status among the footballing circle in Malaysia. Many players have come in and gone out but these players will forever be remembered as players who changed the spectre of Malaysian football. Hopefully, we are able to see foreign players who can emulate these players and bring the Malaysian League to greater heights
Laszlo Repasi (Perak – 1997) Country: Hungary
Played only for a season but he clinched the Golden Boot and also won the hearts of Perak fans. The one time capped Hungarian striker is a household name in Hungary and has played for many top flight clubs in Hungary. In 1997, he decided to try out at Asia and what a player he was in the Malaysian League. Having been described as an out and out striker, the Hungarian top scored the Malaysian scoring charts and carved a name among the hearts of Perak fans. His predatory skills and his off the ball movement are off exemplary. Many coaches in Malaysia have described Repasi as a gem of player and he increased the reputation of the Malaysian League through his forays for Perak. After one season, he was expected to stay in Malaysia but decided to end his career in Finland. Now at 44, he is coaching the Halasztelek FC Youth team in Hungary, he has expressed his desire to be back in Malaysian football in a non playing role.
Marlon Alex James (MK Land -2004-2005, Kedah- 2006-2008) Country: St Vincent and Grenadines
What a player he was and Kedah is certainly missing his influence. The St Vincent and Grenadian Striker started his Malaysian adventure by featuring for former club, MK land. During his stint there, he was the top scorer for the Malaysian Premier League for two seasons with 41 goals. Realising his potential, Kedah snapped him up and what an impact he has made for them. Scoring 48 goals during his stint in Kedah, he helped them to a treble in the 2006/2007 season and 2007/2008 season. His finishing, movement and jinking runs impressed many football enthusiasts in Perak. Kedah fans love his so much that they proclaim him as ‘King James’. During his stint in Malaysia, he bagged many awards and earned legendary status among the ardent Kedah fans. After 2008, he had to move on as the Malaysian League decided to do off without any foreign players. Now, he is currently plying his trade for Vancouver Whitecap and according to sources, he is bound to announce his retirement. However, FAM has allowed teams in the leagues to obtain foreign players for the coming season. Who knows, he might he give it another shot in the Malaysian league!
Cornelius Bernard Huggins (Kedah – 2004-2008) Country: St Vincent and Grenadines
At 1.91 meters, he was an imposing figure for the Kedah defense and together with Victor Andrag, he ensured that Kedah bagged treble during their historic season in 2006 and 2008. The longest serving foreign player in Kedah, Huggins was a noted international for St Vincent and Grenadines and previously starred for Virginia Beach Mariners, an American Soccer Club. At the age of 30, he moved to Malaysia and since then, he created a great story with Kedah. A legend among Kedah fans, Huggins was the epitome of great defending and many local players look after him as an inspiration. His positional play, heading and tackles were an asset. Huggins height and strength also made him a towering figure in the Kedah team. After FAM abolished the import of foreign players, he opted to retire and now he is the assistant coach of St Vincent and Grenadines national team. The man who calls himself ‘Outlaw’ endeared himself to the hearts of Malaysian football fans and hopefully we will be able to see someone like him plying their trade in our league.
Scott Ollerenshaw (Sabah - 1994 -1998) Country: Australia
A remarkable tally of 106 goals saw Ollerenshaw being propelled as one of the most popular foreign players in Malaysia. A legend in Sabah, Scott Ollerenshaw played 110 games with them and was appreciated by the footballing circle in Malaysia. He scored more than a goal in a game; he was twice named the top scorer of the Malaysian league. His finishing, anticipation, work rate and skills managed to defeat many defences and many teams around Asia feared his presence. He was even called ‘Ginger Maradona’ by the adoring fans of Sabah. His caliber and enthusiasm saw moving to greener pastures but his career was prematurely ended at a young age, 31. Now he runs a sport tourism business in Sabah and he also on Malaysian television on the FourFourTwo Show as a football pundit.
Juan Manuel Arostegui (Selangor MPPJ – 2003-2004, 2006) Country: Argentina
Mentioned the name Arostegui to Selangor fans, they will surely go wild and start sharing his exploits. He was a popular figure in Selangor thanks to his scoring prowess for MPPJ. Earning a cult status in Malaysia, he almost scored in every game and his combination with Bruno Sebastien Mertolotto saw MPPJ nailing the Malaysia Cup in 2003. MPPJ was the first club to nail it and they had Arostegui to thank for. In one season alone, he scored 50 goals and ensured that MPPJ become one of the giants of Malaysian football. Although he doesn’t have great skills to entertain the fans but his compliments it with his finishing, passing and movement. After his prowess, he left MPPJ for Europe and he was once eyed by Premier League team, Sunderland. He came back for a 2nd stint in 2006 and he still impressed with his goal scoring exploits. However, MPPJ disbanded in 2006 and Arostegui had to move on. Bow, he is plying his trade with Sportivo Belgrano, a 2nd division club in Argentina. With the foreign players quota making its debut next season, we might see Arostegui giving another shot and at the age of 31, he is still able to make an impact.
Avinesh's verdict: Bring in top notch players and make sure they are treated professionally!! If another 'ZIGA' happens...Nayalah our Liga!!!
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