Under-23 side head to East Asia
THE national youth team will head to South Korea and China for training stints to prepare for the AFC Under-23 Championship on Jan 9-27.
Malaysia are in Group C with Iraq, Jordan and Saudi Arabia in the Under-23 tournament in Changshu, China.
Ong Kim Swee, who declined offers from overseas clubs to extend his contract for another two years with the FA of Malaysia (FAM), will handle the team.
The trainees will report in Johor Baru for a training camp on Nov 27-Dec 16. They will play two friendly matches on Dec 9 and 14.
They will then head to Mokpo, Korea for a 14-day camp on Dec 17 where they will play three international matches on Dec 22, 25 and 28.
After the stint, Kim Swee’s side will move their base to Nanjing, China for eight days and play a international friendly on Jan 5 before they head to Changshu for the tournament on the next day.
They will open their AFC Under-23 campaign against Iraq on Jan 10, followed by Jordan (Jan 13) and Saudi Arabia (Jan 16).
The training stints will definitely help the players adapt with the cold conditions expected during the tournament.
Malaysia qualified for the tournament proper after winning the qualifier in Bangkok in July.
FA of Malaysia general secretary Datuk Hamidin Mohd Amin said the team’s training and lodging will be covered by the Korea FA and the China FA.
Kim Swee is expected to call up the same team that won Kuala Lumpur Sea Games silver medal in August.