For all football’s claims to be a universal language, talent isn't fairly and evenly distributed. While it comes naturally for some nations, others have fallen short despite literally being multilingual.
These countries languish beneath the global juggernauts and strive to qualify for major tournaments. The FIFA World Cup is a mere fantasy. They are known as traditionally non-football countries.
There is a gradual twist in the landscape, however. A wave of revolution has swept through the world of football, with these so-called minnows producing some exciting youngsters. Here are four of such nations.
1 - Malaysia (Current ranking - 154)
The Southeast Asians are the archetypical minnows. Harimau, as they are called, has never qualified for any major competition at all levels. They have reached the Asian Cup thrice, though and on all occasions failed to go beyond the group stage.
Frustrated with this misadventure, the country launched a National Football Development Programme (NFDP) in 2014, a long-term plan to develop the sport further in a more modern direction, addressing the lackadaisical attitude exhibited by state football associations and professional teams towards their youth development role. With the first phase (2014-2020) completed, Malaysians have every reason to be optimistic.
Twenty-eight of the graduates signed for most successful club Selangor while six joined rivals JDT. Luqman Hakim, 18, is the poster boy of this new generation. Joint top scorer at the 2018 Asian Under-16 championships, the fleet-footed attacker has caught the attention of top European sides. Blessed with bags of pace, Luqmam is always keen for goal.
Hakim was named one of Guardian's best young talents of 2019
Mukhairi Ajmal is another attracting the spotlight. He is well ahead of his peer in terms of experience having been thrust early by Abu Bakar Fadzim at PKNP FC last season. Harith Haiqal heralded as heir apparent to Shahrul Saad in future Malaysia national team due to his courage and defensive qualities. Firdaus Kaironnisam and Umar Hakeem are others ready to conquer the world.
2 - North Macedonia (Current ranking - 68)
Since breaking out from Yugoslavia in 1992, Macedonia has struggled to make an impact in sports. Although football is prominent, the country's tiny successes have come in basketball with five appearances at the EuroBasket. The Red Lions is yet to qualify for any major football competition.
Goran Pandev is an icon. At 37, he is skipper, record scorer (37) with most caps (108). The Strumica-born forward has enjoyed a glittering career in Italy, clinching 10 trophies including the Champions League and Serie A. Yet, his lasting legacy could potentially be breaking Macedonia's hoodoo and mentoring the new era.
The Red Lions finished top in their Nations League group and are two games away from the UEFA Euros. Pandev has the likes of Napoli's Elif Elmas to carry the torch. The 20-year-old midfielder is technically clean, proficient on the ball and rarely losses possession, flaunting an impressive passing range.
Pandev and Elmas
Jani Atanasov, Darko Churlinov, Milan Ristovski and Pardon Daci carry goal threats among them. A graduate of Pandev's academy, 20-year-old Atanasov ply his trade at Bursaspor. He has 10 goals in 29 matches for the Red Lions. Stuttgart's Churlinov, 20, notched six in 21. Ristovski, meanwhile, buried 11 goals in matches on loan at Nitra. Daci is highly rated at Konyaspor.
3 - Cape Verde (Current ranking - 77)
In 1998, Cape Verde had no grass pitches. Until 2000, the remote Atlantic archipelago was ranked 180 by FIFA. The team had never qualified for the Africa Cup of Nations. Kown as the Blue Sharks, in reality, they were minnows among the big fishes on the continent.
Despite being the 30th smallest country in the world with only half a million inhabitants, Cape Verdeans raved about football. In the last decade, however, the ex-Portuguese colony have risen from obscurity and could surge higher with the current crop of emerging prospects at its disposal.
Tavares' parents are from Cape Verde
Although capped by Portugal at youth level, 19-year-old Benfica defender, Tomas Tavares is tipped to skipper Cape Verde in future. There is the same rave over Netherlands-based duo Elber Evora (Feyenoord) and Lorenzo Fonseca (Sparta Rotterdam). Others are Braga's Rodrigo Lima, Márcio Rosa, Kelvin Pires and Emerson, all under 22.
In reality, though, Cape Verde has never quite lacked talents. Patrick Vieira and Henrik Larsson could both have played for the tiny nation given their parentage. Ex-Manchester United and City stars, Nani and Gelson Fernandes were born there but opted for Portugal and Switzerland respectively.
4 - Qatar (Current ranking - 55)
Despite successes in the 1990s which saw them reach an all-time high of 53rd on the FIFA rankings, Qatar still isn't taking seriously football-wise. It wasn't much of a surprise when they fell way off the radar at the start of the millennium. The Aspire Academy and 2022 World Cup hosting right birthed a turnaround.
In 2018, El País identified Qatar as the country with the highest investment per capita in football and this is already yielding dividends aplenty. The country unexpectedly triumphed at the 2019 Asian Cup hosted by the UAE, defeating continental giants Japan. The nation's talent pool is full to capacity.
Aspire Academy students in Qatar
Spaniard Felix Sanchez Bas is the Poolman. Recruited to the Aspire Academy coaching staff in 2006, he ascended to coach Qatar U19s in 2013 and a core of his squad was formed from Aspire. The following year he led the country to its maiden AFC (Asian Football Confederation) U-19 championship. Aspire graduate Akram Afif scored the winner and has since graduated to the senior side. The Spaniard stepped up to manage the U20 and U23 sides as well before settling into the national team role in 2017.
Xavi is helping Qatar's image while working as head coach Al-Sadd
Another player who starred in both tournaments and had Aspire Academy roots is golden boot winner Almoez Ali who finished as the top-scorer in UAE with nine goals. Other recruits from the academy who have risen similarly through the ranks are Assim Madibo, custodian Yousef Hassan and Salem Al Hajri. Best still, the quartet and many others are home-based.
