Monday, May 16, 2016

Uncapped Player in National Football Squad to be announced Wesnesday

There are expected to be some changes to the national squad when coach Dato Ong Kim Swee names his training  squad of 25 on Wesnesday.

Keeping his cards close to his chest, the Nakacca born coach said that his observation of matches in the M- League by him and his coaching staff as well as from feedback of coaches of state and clubs has given him a clear indication as to who will carry the Malaysian challenge for the Asia Cup playoffs.

Malaysia will play Timor Leste in a two leg playoff at the Larkin Stadium on June 2 and 6.

But before that Malaysia will take on Myanmar in a friendly on May 27.

" I have virtually decided on the 25 players to be named on Wednesday and all I can say is there will be sone surprises," said Kim Swee.

" The players will report for camp on May 22 with  the exception of players from JDT who must report after their AFC Cup match on May 26.

" We leave for Myanmar on May 27 and will then go directly to Johor Baru on May 29."

While scoring has been a problem for The national squad, Kim Swee however is not expected to pencil strikers Safee Sali and Nor Shahril Idlan Taaka into the squad.

However Hazuan Bakri of Selangor is expected to return to the team after recovering from an injury.

There is also talk of an uncapped player getting a nod as well as a former striker who is expected to be given a second lease of life.

After the Timor Leste matches, the national team will leave for Brisbane on June 11 to set up camp before playing matches against Papua New Guinea, Fiji and New Caledonia over a 20 day period, returning home in June 29.

" All I can say at the moment is that there will be surprises and that the team to be named is the best I am able to pick after observations of their performances over the past month," said Kim Swee.

" Wait till Wednesday and let's not speculate."