SYRIA TEST AWAITS KIM SWEE’S BOYS

Malaysians to play friendly in snowy Nanjing

DEVINDER SINGH devinder@nst.com.my

THE friendly against Syria in Nanjing today will give national coach Ong Kim Swee an idea of what to expect when Malaysia begin their AFC Under-23 Championship campaign next week.

Malaysia face 2016 semi-finalists Iraq on Jan 10 in Changshu, China, in their opening Group C match before taking on Jordan (Jan 13) and Saudi Arabia (Jan 16) in the country’s maiden appearance at the championship.

With all three group opponents from West Asia, Kim Swee hopes to learn as much as possible about the way Syria play and the physical challenge that they offer.

“Syria have a similar style to the other teams we will face in the tournament and it is only the individuals which really make a difference,” said Kim Swee when reached in Nanjing today.

“We are not going to be focused on what Syria are going to do. Instead, I want to see how we approach the game and try to prevent Syria from playing the way they want to.”

An added complication for Kim Swee’s team is that it began to snow for the first time in Nanjing since their arrival from South Korea, forcing the players to work out indoors.

“It is cold here but the snow will make it even more difficult as the playing surface will be hard,” said Kim Swee.

“Playing in snowy conditions will be a new experience for the boys and I hope they won’t be too affected by it.”

Kim Swee declined to reveal which players he will start against Syria, though he has an idea of his preferred line-up.

“There are maybe two positions which I have not made up my mind on with nine players almost certain to start,” he said.

“There are still one or two combinations which I still need to assess and tomorrow’s game will be our last chance to finalise the positions.”

Kim Swee added that all his players are available including midfielder Nik Akif Syahiran Nik Mat who was recovered from a bout of fever.