KUALA LUMPUR: For Issey Nakajima-Farran, reminiscing about his long-time friend Rob Friend is like flipping through the pages of an inspiring story — a tale of vision, ambition and a shared love for football.
The two were inseparable during their time with the Canadian national team.
On a bus journey — perhaps to Mexico or Panama — between 2006 and 2011, Nakajima-Farran and the newly appointed Harimau Malaya chief executive officer found themselves seated side by side, and their conversation drifted to life beyond the game.
"I asked Rob what he wanted to do once he retired. Most footballers talk about coaching, becoming agents, or joining the punditry world. But Rob said something that caught me off guard.
"He told me, 'I want to be a badass football business executive,'" Nakajima-Farran told Timesport recently.
That bold declaration stayed with Nakajima-Farran.
Even then, Friend had been thinking beyond the pitch, envisioning a role that could reshape the sport's business landscape.
Since hanging up his boots in 2014, Friend, who turns 44 on Jan 23, has transformed that vision into reality.
He co-founded Pacific FC and Vancouver FC, established Toca Football Canada and helped launch the Canadian Premier League.
Additionally, he's a managing partner of SixFive Sports & Entertainment and the DRG Investment Group.
Now, as the newly appointed Harimau Malaya CEO, Friend is turning his sights to Southeast Asia.
Nakajima-Farran, who spent five years in Malaysia playing for Terengganu and Sri Pahang, knows firsthand the rich potential of Malaysian football.
He and Friend had discussed it long before the latter's appointment.
"I told Rob that Malaysian football has so much to offer — big stadiums, passionate fans, and clubs with resources. But it's not reaching its full potential.
"Rob's response? 'I'm going to wake up the sleeping giants (Malaysian football),'" said Nakajima-Farran.
Having experienced Malaysian football from the inside, Nakajima-Farran is aware of the hurdles Friend may face.
"The infrastructure is there, and the passion is undeniable. But there's a gap — a lack of professionalism in some areas and missed opportunities in marketing.