Former Socceroo ready to pile more Malaysian misery on Australia

Australia’s U-15 team fell to a 3-0 loss to Malaysia at the AFF Championships on Thursday. It was a result that shows that standards in Southeast Asia are rising and, if another Australian gets his way, there could be another defeat in store at the U-19 version later this month.

Malaysia Under-23 assistant coach Brad Maloney Source: Supplied

Brad Maloney was already the assistant coach of Malaysia’s Under-23 team, but he has now been given control of the U-19 side at least until the end of the year.

The former Socceroo is ready to take on his homeland on the Southeast Asian stage in Vietnam on August 13.

“I'm looking forward to the challenge,” Maloney told The World Game.

“Of course, Australia will be the favourites to win the tournament, so it will be a good experience for our players to play against some of the best in Asia.”

Maloney believes that youth development Down Under is going through something of a transition period, especially with the FFA closing down football programs at the Australia Institute of Sport (AIS) in 2016.

“From the outside looking in, there is a lot of discussion about closing the AIS program," he said.

"Having been a scholarship holder myself, it was a fantastic environment for players to develop under expert coaches such as Ron Smith and Steve O’Connor.

"Australia is in a bit of a shift at the moment in terms of youth development, I am not quite sure we are ready or clubs are ready to absorb everything as far as football development goes and I would like to see similar programs to AIS.”

There is more organisation and structure in Malaysian youth football these days and the country is starting to produce more promising youngsters.

“There are some good young talent," Maloney added. "We are trying to build our network to identify more young players.

"FAM (Football Association of Malaysia) are starting to get on top of the National Football Development program and we have elite players in our football centre.”

Maloney is in place to add continuity as well as know-how and experience in Malaysia.

“It is definitely going to be a good challenge," the former Marconi star said.

"There are some good players coming through at that age group and it will be exciting to work with those players.

"I am still working with the U-23 team as an assistant. This age group will be the next one in the next Olympic cycle.

"It makes sense to start with this age group now and they can graduate to the U-23 team, we know how they work and they know how we work.”

The football-loving country provides a challenging environment for any coach. It is very much a results-driven culture. 

“Of course we want to be competitive, no question about that," Maloney said. "From the discussions we have had, the most important thing is the development of the players.

"We want to be competitive and want to win but the AFF tournament in August is a starting point. We are under no illusions as to the standard of the opposition, facing Vietnam, Thailand and Australia.”

Good results from the likes of Maloney can only make it easier for more Australians to earn a living overseas.

“I don’t think it can hurt," the 47-year-old said. "There are limited opportunities in Australia for full-time professional coaches.

"There are one or two abroad now. Ange is a classic example at the moment and is doing very well in the J.League. It will be great if Aussies can get the opportunities."

Maloney won’t do the cause of Australian coaches any harm if he can lead Malaysian teenagers to make it two from two against Australia in the coming days.