Be bold against India, women footballers urged
KOTA KINABALU: National women’s football team head coach Mohd Asyraaf Fong Abdullah wants his charges to be brave and bold when facing India in their international friendly match on July 29 and 31.
The Tawau-born coach said the tie is a crucial warm-up match leading up to the SEA Games challenge which is happening in Kuala Lumpur next month.
The two friendly matches are scheduled to be held at the PKNS Stadium on July 29 and at Selayang Stadium (one of the SEA Games venues) on July 31.
“They (India) are this year’s champions of South Asia and they are ranked 60 compared to us in the 80th spot. However, we have made the best preparation possible and we are ready.
“I hope the players can do everything that have been practiced in training, especially in terms of our tactical formation. I want all the players to be bold and believe in themselves when they face any opponent,” Asyraaf said when contacted in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.
He said the match will serve as a yard stick to test and prove that they deserve the support they need from everyone in the country, especially when they face the SEA Games challenge.
Malaysia, which have been primed for bronze, will face tough opponents who are higher in terms of ranking, namely Thailand (29), Vietnam (32), Myanmar (45) and Philippines (71).
Malaysia will begin their quest for SEA Games glory against Philippines on August 15, followed by a match with Myanmar on August 17, Thailand on August 20 and Vietnam on August 24.
For the record, this is Asyraaf’s first hand at leading the national women’s squad. The Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) sports centre director said he was proud to be given the honour and pledged to give his best effort to guide the team to glory.
The national squad comprises mostly of players from Sabah and they conducted their threephase centralised training at UMS beginning early this year before shifting to the National Sports Council in Kuala Lumpur for their final phase.
The first 11 players who are expected to feature against India are Nurul Azurin Mazlan, Eslilah Esar, Uslizah Usman, Malini Nordin, Shereilynn Elly Pius, Haindee Mosroh, Jaciah Jumilis, Dadree Rofinus, Masturah Majid, Nurul Athirah Mamat and JI Fedalliah.