Up to seven changes to the starting line up are expected in the national Football team as they line up for the first of their three match Oceania Tour with a match against Papua New Guinea this Friday.
Although many may view it drastic, coach Dato Ong Kim Swee however feels that even making up to seven changes will not affect the overall performance of the team.
" All players have the ability and desire to don the national jersey and they have shown their commitment and passion in the training sessions," said Kim Swee when contacted in Brisbane, the venue of the national team training camp.
" It is therefore not a question of experimenting but to me it's giving players the opportunity to display their ability on the pitch.
" I hope to give each player at least 70 minutes of play over the three matches to enable them to prove themselves.
" The important thing here is to build a strong team and to do that we need depth on the bench.
" Having more players competing for a position augurs well for the team in the future."
With that in mind Kim Swee is expected to give Farhan Abu Bakar the nod to keep goal.
Other changes are likely to see either C. Kumarahan or Zaquan Adha partnering Amirul Hadi upfront in search of goals with regular striker Hazwan Bakri on the bench.
With the key to exposure, Kim Swee might also bench S.Kunalan, Christie Jayaseelan, Brendan Gan or Bafrol Bakhtiar.
In their place will be Junior, Mahali, Mohd Khairi and Ahmad Suhaimi Latif.
"As a coach I have to make changes and give all players a chance as a team is not made out of a couple of players' added the Malacca born coach.
"Many may question why I persist with Anirul but I believe he just needs to find the elusive goal and after that he will be more lethal.
" It is not a question of tinkering with a winning team but to build a national team that can be consistent.
" Yes results do matter, but I believe whoever I'd fielded will be able to carry out their responsibilities well."
Kim Swee further warned that inept performances could well see some players being dropped from future national call ups.
