ASL as a National Team League Competition, instead?

National Stadium is one of ASL's venues?

”This, I hope will be a spill over to Our S.League. Rather than taking away another 25 players, technical and medical team from the league.” said a friend, in a text conversation, to me not that long ago.

The "spill over" he referred was not the one the Football Association of Singapore (FAS) projected in the first place from the Lions XlI's participation in the Malaysian Super League (MSL) to the S.League.

Rather, this friend, who is an official of a S.League club, suggested to have the proposed Asean Super League (ASL) to be participated by national teams instead of the suggested franchise basis.

"Eight to ten countries, rather than franchise teams, will attract capacity crowds rather than re-create another following." argued this friend of mine on the downside of filling up teams in ASL with zero background.

Hong Kong (white) vs Singapore - a common fixture

He added:"FAs are finding it tough to find quality opponents for its own national team, often facing criticism on playing the likes of Laos, Philippines, Maldives and Hong Kong in meaningless 45-minute per player to gain a cap in one-off friendlies to meet their KPIs."

He went further in depth to justify his visions on how the national team-based tournament would benefit those up and coming national teams in this region.

"Playing Suzuki (note: being just an example here, if the Japanese car makers are the title sponsors) Super League is also preparations for the World Cup and Asian Cup qualifiers," said my friend, "It is also development of countries likes Laos, Myanmar, Brunei in terms of hosting and their national teams with an Under-21 team from these countries being featured in an AFF Suzuki B League. Get them ready for the elusive Sea Games Gold, why not?"

More opportunities for S.League players in my friend's plan?

Having a regular competitive tournament for these national teams would also mean the wages of those national coaches "will be justified", since now they will have to be on the look out constantly to check on their domestic clubs to call up players for the national cause.

Not just on the field, the mileage off of it would also benefit those potential sponsors and broadcasters too, as spelt out in the later stages of our conversation.

"Imagine seeing Suzuki (Bill)Boards at all countries from February to November. instead of seeing them only in Nov(ember)/Dec(ember) every alternate year,

"Even if asked to pump in additional 1m (million), Suzuki will see it worth their thought." singled out by my friend on the potential cash cow spinning off from his format.

"Eight to ten countries, rather than franchise teams, will attract capacity crowds rather than re-create another following." argued this friend of mine on the downside of filling up teams in ASL with zero background.

In which, that could also allow TV companies to justify their charges by providing quality contents to their viewers.

"(Terrestrial provider) Mediacorp FOC (Free-Of-Charge), (cable operators) StarHub can justify its football subscription plan,

"TV commentators will be more sought after. Imagine four-five matches playing at the same time." concluded his thoughts at the end of the day.