Sunday, March 2, 2008

Southeast Asian Players to MLS?

With Singapore striker Indra Sahdan Daud currently on trial with Real Salt Lake, I thought it'd be interesting to see if there was any other talent in the Southeast Asian region that could make their way to MLS. I'll admit I know next to nothing about these players or the leagues they play in. I spent a few minutes looking through wikipedia and these are some of the players with similar credentials to Indra Sahdan Daud.

Thailand
Sarayoot Chaikamdee
Datsakorn Thonglao


Vietnam
Phan Thanh Bình
Le Cong Vinh

Indonesia
Bambang Pamungkas

Singapore
Mohamed Noh Alam Shah
Khairul Amri
Indra Sahdan Daud

Malaysia
Indra Putra Mahayuddin

If I had to guess, these players likely wouldn't make the cut in MLS, but without really knowing anything about them or the leagues they play in, it is just that, a guess. I personally hope that Indra Sahdan Daud and other talent from lesser known soccer regions make it to MLS in the future. It can only help the league grow worldwide. If any Southeast Asian soccer fans have anything to add, please feel free.

There are also some interesting Real Salt Lake viewpoints about Indra here and here.

5 comments:

  1. It is beginning to look more and more likely that Indra will be on the RSL squad this year. Let's hope so.

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  2. Looks like you did do your home work. Those indeed are some of SEA best players. Most of them you mentioned are forward players. There are many more great players in all kinds of positions.

    S League (Singapore) has been compared to MLS before and the standards are about the same. I worked in the USA before and watched MLS before and know that there is some truth in it.

    Anyway, let's see if this is a turning point in history and anything comes out of this.

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  3. Thanks for the input. I was thinking that the most likely positions for SEA players in MLS would be in the attacking positions, that's why I didn't include any defenders or GK's.

    Are there any defenders that could make the cut?

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  4. Suree Sukha (Thai fullback) now with Manchester City I think. Defenders, there are quite few that would stand out in SEA.

    Outstanding keeper again quite rare in SEA. Lionel Lewis (Singapore GK) is one of the best in Asia. Very promising. Not saying this because I am Singaporean and has the same birthday (not year) as him.

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  5. Hmmm I seriously hope Indra Sahdan can make the cut to join RSL. If u want me to name another player whom I think can make it abroad, he would be none other than the talented Khairul Amri.

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