Cardiff City have called-off a proposed pre-season tour to Malaysia until next season, the club have confirmed.
The Championship club were to embark on a summer trip to Kuala Lumpur after Cardiff were saved by a £6m investment from a Malaysian consortium.
The Malaysian national side were due to host the Bluebirds and boss Dave Jones recently returned from a reconnaissance mission but decided to reschedule.
Jones said: "This summer we've decided to revert to our alternative plans."
Instead Cardiff have invited the Malaysia national team to hold their training camp at their facilities in south Wales in preparation for the Asian Games in China in November this year.
There are two schools of thought available here. Perhaps Dave Jones was concerned about the 'logistics` i.e. level of training facilities, standard of opposition, travel burdens etc but you`d think those things would be looked at prior to the public announcement of a trip? Would it represent a slap-in-the-face to the Malaysians to so openly reject an open invitation to their country?
Alternatively, and perhaps more likely is that money issues are behind the decision. Whilst it would surely create more media attention/buzz to have the Bluebirds tour the Far East and face the Malaysian National side, there are a number of additional costs and we may not be able to get all the right pieces in place in time.
Instead Cardiff have invited the Malaysia national team to hold their training camp at their facilities in south Wales in preparation for the Asian Games in China in November this year.
There are two schools of thought available here. Perhaps Dave Jones was concerned about the 'logistics` i.e. level of training facilities, standard of opposition, travel burdens etc but you`d think those things would be looked at prior to the public announcement of a trip? Would it represent a slap-in-the-face to the Malaysians to so openly reject an open invitation to their country?
Alternatively, and perhaps more likely is that money issues are behind the decision. Whilst it would surely create more media attention/buzz to have the Bluebirds tour the Far East and face the Malaysian National side, there are a number of additional costs and we may not be able to get all the right pieces in place in time.
Cardiff, who have enjoyed successive pre-season tours to Portugal, have already confirmed three pre-season friendlies.
Jones' men travel to Bath City on 8 July and League One new boys Notts County on 24 July before hosting Spanish giants Deportivo La Coruna at the Cardiff City Stadium on 31 July.
But Cardiff have abandoned their summer tour due to logistical and timing reasons to play more friendlies in the UK.
"After a great trip to Malaysia, we can see that the opportunities and benefits to the club would be much bigger if we have the tour next year," said Jones.
