Football is
a way of life
in Croatia.
I grew up with football the Croatian way: in club academies where technique, intelligence and character are coached from the very first session. I played professionally in my early twenties, and the lessons from those years have stayed with me ever since.
When I moved to Asia, I saw talented young players everywhere. What I rarely saw was the structured, demanding coaching that turns talent into footballers, or a real route for those who are good enough.
So we built CFA: a Croatian curriculum, coached by people who know it from the inside, with a real connection back to Croatian clubs. It started with one academy in Kuala Lumpur. Now it includes camps across Southeast Asia, programmes for international schools and a pathway to Croatia.
Dom Hruskar
Managing Director, CFA Asia
Our mission
To give young players in Asia the coaching, standards and opportunities that Croatian players grow up with, and to be honest with every family along the way.
Milestones
From a first camp in Kuala Lumpur to players in Croatian football.
Founded
CFA's first academy camps are held in Kuala Lumpur. The idea is simple: coach young players in Asia the way Croatian clubs coach theirs, with technique first, decisions on the ball and real standards.
Competitive football
Training needs a test. CFA squads are built and join Liga Suparimau, giving players league football every weekend and a reason to bring Tuesday's and Thursday's lessons to Saturday's match.
Into Croatian football
The pathway becomes real. Timor-Leste international Vabio Canavaro joins NK Kamen Podbablje, following Philippines international Pocholo Bugas to Croatian football. Both moves were made by CFA in partnership with Rookbook Sports, our agency partner in Singapore.
First camp tour
CFA goes on the road: four two-day camps in four cities in one month, Phnom Penh, Bangkok, Ho Chi Minh City and Singapore, led by Academy Head Coach Matija Mijandrušić.
Our values
The Croatian mentality, in four words.
Effort in every session is non-negotiable.
For team-mates, opponents, referees and coaches.
Straight talk with players and families, always.
A team looks after its own, on and off the pitch.
How we coach
How Croatian clubs coach children, and how we bring that standard to every CFA session in Asia.
Our philosophy
Talent is common. Coaching that turns it into a footballer is not.
Croatian youth football is demanding and structured. Players are expected to master the ball, make decisions and compete, from the youngest age groups up. Our method brings that standard to Asia, adapted to each age.
Six principles
Technique first
Thousands of touches. Every child on the ball, every minute.
Small-sided games
More touches, more decisions, more involvement.
Decisions, not drills
We coach players to read the game, not repeat patterns.
Every position
Young players rotate positions to understand the whole game.
Competitive character
Standards, competition and respect, every session.
Age-appropriate
Each age band has its own focus.
The age stages
What players work on at each stage.
U6 – U8: Love the ball
Coordination, dribbling and confidence through games.
U10 – U12: Learn the game
Passing, receiving, positions and team play.
U14 – U16: Compete
Tactics, physical preparation and match intensity.
Measuring progress
How we know every player is moving forward.
Progress tracked
Coaches track every player's development across the season.
Clear feedback
Families hear about their child's strengths and next steps.
Goals set together
Every player sets personal goals with their coach.
Recommended for more
Standout players are recommended for camps and the pathway.
Our people
Players, coaches and football people from Croatia and Asia. Every CFA coach holds a recognised coaching licence.
Founders and leadership
Croatian Football Academy Asia is part of Nogomet Group Pte. Ltd., a Singapore-registered football management collective and talent agency that bridges the Asia-Pacific and European football markets. Our Malaysian operations are run by CFA Malaysia Sdn. Bhd. in Kuala Lumpur.
Coaches who've done it
Matija Mijandrušić, our Academy Head Coach, is a UEFA A Elite Youth-licensed coach who leads our coaching curriculum and camps. He has coached players who have gone on to play for clubs across Europe and represent Croatia at youth international level.
Players Matija has coached
CFA Malaysia team
Licensed coaches on the pitch every week, and the team behind them.
How we choose coaches
Croatian methodology
Our Croatian technical team trains every CFA coach in the curriculum.
Licensed
Every coach holds a recognised AFC or UEFA coaching licence.
Checked
Every coach is checked and trained in safeguarding before working with children.
Coach with CFA
We're always looking for licensed coaches who share our standards and want to learn the Croatian method.