The pros and cons of playing in the J-League that Izwan Mahbud should consider

It's a great opportunity. But remember the cautionary tale of Fandi Ahmad.

Marcus Tan| June 25, 12:17 PM

Yoshiyuki Kato, vice-president of J-League club Matsumoto Yamaga FC, spoke of the club's interest in Izwan Mahbud, the Singaporean goalkeeper whose heroics in Saitama helped Singapore earn a precious 0-0 draw against Asian powerhouse Japan.

As expected, netizens were quick in egging him on to take up the offer of a training stint with the Japanese club.

While it is still early days, Izwan should seek advice from local football legend Fandi Ahmad, who played for Dutch club Groningen, famously scored against Inter Milan and, ultimately, couldn't defeat homesickness.

Indeed, it is a rare opportunity not to be missed. However, a move to Japan entails both pros and cons, which we shall briefly explore.

Pros:

#1 Tougher Opponents

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If all goes well, Izwan shall face opponents that are arguably of higher quality. They include Japanese superstars, such as Yasuhito Endō (above) and Shunsuke Nakamura. Over the years, multiple international big-names have graced the J-League, including former Manchester United and Athletico Madrid striker Diego Forlan (below). These opponents will push Izwan to his limits.

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#2 Stadium Atmosphere

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Football matches in Japan attract large, passionate crowds on a weekly basis. The average attendance of J-League matches stands at 17,240, a marked increase from the that of the Malaysia Super League this year which stands at around 10,000.

J-League matches are renowned for their electrifying atmosphere and creative cheers. Check out the video below.

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While the crowds are spirited and boisterous, they are by no means ruffians. Singaporeans may remember how Japanese fans cleaned up after themselves following the Japanese national team's 4-0 defeat against Brazil at the Sports Hub last year.

#3 Attractive Remuneration

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According to Sportsmail, the J-League is the 24th best-paying league in the world, with the average player's wage per annum standing at £127,706. That is approximately SGD$22,500 a month!

Senior players from the LionsXII team are reportedly able to make five-figure sums per month. However, it remains unknown if that may exceed SGD$22,500 benchmark.

Cons:

Nonetheless, there are certainly challenges beyond the pitch that comes with a move to Japan. While they may not be insurmountable obstacles, they are worthy of mention and consideration.

#1 Nutrition

While halal kitchens are a staple in most countries in the region, the same may not be said for Japan.

Matsumoto Yamaga FC is based in the Nagano Prefecture. According to Halal In Japan, a site which provides a comprehensive guide to Halal businesses and services in Japan, there appears to be only one Halal eatery in Nagano.

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This means that special arrangements will have to be made with the club's dieticians, or Izwan will have to prepare most of his meals on his own.

#2 We all speak football...in Japanese

Despite compulsory English lessons, the Japanese are not known to be proficient in the language, a fact that the education ministry acknowledges and has repeatedly attempted to address. Accordingly, communication on the training ground or at matches may be problematic.

#3 Climate

The J-League starts in March and ends in December. During this period, temperatures in Japan are known to fluctuate between 5°C to 30°C.

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Footballers, as we understand, are sensitive creatures who are highly particular about the type of grass they're playing on or the or the ball they're kicking.

The infamous rain of Manchester might have pushed some football stars (a certain Cristiano Ronaldo) to the sunny climate of Spain.

Jokes aside, it should come as no surprise that climate conditions could affect their performance levels too, and it is something that local footballers aiming to play outside the region should prepare themselves for.

Top photo from Izwan Mahbud's Facebook page