Under-19 squad’s need for speed
Under-19 squad coach, Bojan Hodak feels that it is still too early to gauge the true capabilities of his charges even though they lost in a friendly match against Omani club Al Suwaiq 4-0 at the Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex in Muscat on Monday.
According to the Croatian coach, they should not be giving too much thought about the result and instead focus on improving the quality of their game as the squad’s main mission is to prepare for the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) U-19 Championship in Indonesia next month.
According to Hodak, this is the squad’s first match experience against an Arab team who played at a fast pace, which differs from other Asean teams, especially after they emerged as champions in the AFF U-19 Championship that was also held in Indonesia in July.
“Of course the result does us no good. But it is a worthwhile experience nonetheless because it was our first match facing an Arab team.
“Al Suwaiq are no ordinary team as they are the Sultan Qaboos Cup champions in the Omani league last season. They play a very fast paced game compared to our boys.
“They did not have many chances during the match, but they made the most of the few chances that came their way and they punished our defence,” he said when contacted by NSTP Sport yesterday.
Hodak’s squad are aiming to finish among the top four in Indonesia where the four best teams at the championship will earn automatic slots to the Youth World Cup U-20 which is scheduled to take place in Poland next year.
Malaysia are drawn in Group D together with Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan, and former champions China.
Hodak said there is still time for the players to improve on their weaknesses especially when going up against teams that play an aggressive, fast paced game such as Al Suwaiq.
“Our boys are showing improvements and the friendly match gave us valuable lessons on our shortcomings and weaknesses, as well as showing us what we need to do.
“If the boys want to become top professionals, then they will need to further improve on their game so as to be on par with the best teams in modern football,” he stressed.
They will play two more friendlies, against the Oman Club tomorrow and the Muscat Club three days later.