Kim Swee finally gets his players

NATIONAL: youth coach Ong Kim Swee finally has enough players for today’s Under-23 friendly match against Myanmar at Shah Alam Stadium.

Kim Swee, who started centralised training last week, only managed to gather his full squad of 26 players yesterday.

However, there were still notable absentees.

Those who did not answer the call up were Pahang’s Matthew Davies and Nor Azam Abdul Azih, Penang’s S. Kumaahran and Syamer Kutty Abba, and Darul Ta’zim’s Safawi Rasid and Haziq Nadzli. The concerned clubs did not give reasons for failure to release their players.

Kim Swee had reinforcements on Tuesday by calling up goalkeepers Faridzuean Kamaruddin (Sime Darby) and Ahmad Solehin Mamat (Kuala Lumpur) along with Negri Sembilan’s Sean Eugene Selvaraj. L. Kalaiharasan and Fauzan Fauzi.

“I finally have my full squad for the friendly tomorrow. The match is important to see whether the players understand my formations and strategies,” said Kim Swee at Shah Alam Stadium yesterday.

However, some clubs may want their players back as there are Super League and Premier League matches tomorrow and Saturday.

“I hope not. We are leaving on Monday for the AFC Under-23 Qualifiers and I need these players in camp,” said Kim Swee.

Malaysia are in Group H in the qualifiers with Thailand, Indonesia and Mongolia in Bangkok on July 19-23. Only the winners are guaranteed a spot to next year’s AFC Under-23 Championship in China.

“Most (of the trainees) were with me for the recent playing tour in China, but I need to look at their fitness levels ahead of the friendly. Some are regulars with their respective clubs and they have been playing non-stop matches of late,” said Kim Swee.

Myanmar coach Gerd Zeise has brought a strong 23-member squad for the match with 10 having played in the 2015 Under-20 World Cup in New Zealand.

“I only have 10 from the Under20 World Cup team as the others are not good enough to play at international level.

“The team have played four matches in the last three weeks. Tomorrow’s match is important for the players to understand my tactics before we return to Yangon for the AFC Under-23 qualifiers,” said Zeise.

Zeise is aware that Malaysia are ill-prepared for the friendly.

“I heard from friends here that Kim Swee has been having problems securing players for the match. But I think it is not a problem for the coach as the MLeague is a high quality tournament. Ajitpal Singh