Under-22 team beat Guanghzhou

THE national Under-22 squad wrapped up a three-game tour of China with a 3-0 win over Guangzhou Evergrande’s reserve team yesterday.

Coach Ong Kim Swee took no chances against the Chinese Super League leaders’ second team and named his strongest side with the exception of forward S. Kumaahran and right-back Syahmi Safari, who are nursing minor injuries.

Penang striker Jafri Firdaus Chew put Malaysia ahead in the 33rd minute before Syafiq Ahmad (77th) and N. Thanabalan (89th) secured victory with late strikes.

Kim Swee, who is preparing the squad for the AFC Under-22 Championship qualifiers next month and the Kuala Lumpur Sea Games in August, said he has a clearer idea of the composition of his squad for the next two assignments.

“We achieved our objective in coming to China and playing three matches here,” he said after the match at the Baining football training ground in Guangzhou.

“Firstly, I saw all the players in action and today. I fielded the strongest XI with the exception of Kumaahran and Syahmi who are down with minor injuries.

“But the others proved they can play well and also managed to keep a cleansheet. In the second half, we showed good moves in front of goal but this win does not mean we have achieved anything because we are in the process of building the team.”

Malaysia lost to China 1-0 in an Under-22 friendly international to open the tour before holding Super League club Guangzhou R&F’s reserve team to a 2-2 draw.

“The China Under-22 team was the strongest we faced here though both Guangzhou clubs also have strong reserve teams and provided us with a strong physical challenge,” added Kim Swee.

“More important is that the team improved on their weaknesses from game to game and that we were able to put away our chances. Today our strikers proved they have it in them to score goals.”

The team return home today and will face Super League side Melaka in another friendly on Thursday before Kim Swee names his squad for the AFC Under-22 qualifiers in Bangkok.