SEA Games project squad to face Philippines U-22

KUALA LUMPUR: The National Under 22 (U-22) squad is now scheduled to face the Philippines U-22, after the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) cancelled its friendlies against Myanmar U-22 side.

The Frank Bernhardt’s side, which is known as SEA Games Project Squad will travel to Manila for the match on Dec 8, after thrashing the same side 4-1 in their first friendly in March.

Despite the number of matches reduced to one from the initial two matches against Myanmar on Dec 9 and 12 for the current call up, Bernhardt wants to grab the opportunity to prepare his boys with the hope of bagging the elusive SEA Games gold medal.

“The decision (to cancel the friendly match) came really short. It was difficult to get a team, so we tried few teams but only the Philippines are ready to play...it’s not my decision, but decision by those higher than FAM.

“But one international game is better than nothing, or playing against club sides and even clubs are in preparation for next season.

“The Philippines are probably, not that strong compared to Myanmar but they have made a lot of changes and have new players this time. So, it would be

challenging for us in the upcoming match,” Bernhardt told Bernama when met during the team’s fitness test at the National Sports Institute here yesterday.

On Wednesday, FAM through its official Twitter site, @ FAM_Malaysia, announced the cancellation of the friendly fixture without citing any reason but it is believed to be related to Myanmar’s Rohingya conflict.

Commenting on the SEA Games preparations, the German coach, who is aware of the rise of teams like Myanmar and Cambodia, which rose to the occasion at the recent AFF Suzuki Cup, believes his boys are strong enough to face the challenges.

However, FAM’s inaction for the squad’s future might risk the country’s chance to win a medal, as what happened to the senior squad, Harimau Malaysia, who failed to pass through the AFF Suzuki Cup group stage in Yangon recently.

The Myanmar side which defeated Malaysia 1-0, and Cambodia which lost 3-2 to the national side, each have 11 players eligible for next year’s SEA Games, to join forces like Thailand, Singapore and Vietnam to challenge for the gold.

“The Myanmar squad is surely good...in the Suzuki Cup first match, they’ve lined up seven U-22 players in their first 11. I am sure they will be strong in SEA Games. I have also spoken to Vietnam’s technical director, they will stop their league for four months in preparation for SEA Games.

“Here, it’s still unclear what we are doing. Something, the people need to look at this country, as the host nation, whereas, other teams are making more effort than us.

“We also have a good team and still have a lot of time to develop but when other countries come with stronger teams, it won’t be easy for us to go through...We have to fight hard for everything,” said Bernhardt.

After the Philippines friendly, the players will return to their respective clubs and if one follows FIFA’s calendar, he only has a week’s break each in March and June next year.

“We might take part in a tournament in the Middle East in March and have centralised training from end of April to May...That is something we discussed about, but I have no final confirmation at the moment. Whether the clubs will let the players or not is another question,” he added.

With just about 260 days left for the SEA Games, it’s time for the national football governing body to envision a clear programme for the squad, to avoid shame on home soil. - Bernama