Guessing game

Kim Swee in the dark over players’ availability for Under-23 tournament

National Under-23 coach Datuk Ong Kim Swee has no idea how many of the players called up for centralised training will report for duty at Wisma FAM in Kelana Jaya today. He is preparing the side for the 2018 AFC Under-23 qualifiers in Bangkok from July 19-23. Kim Swee has called up 26 players for the second phase of centralised training.

It is learned that Super League teams Kedah, Penang and Pahang and FAM League side Felcra may not release their players for the centralised camp and the AFC Under-23 qualifiers because the dates clash with the Malaysia Cup and M-League campaigns. Whatever happened to putting national interest first?

PETALING JAYA: Malaysia will kick off their 2018 AFC Under-23 qualifying campaign in Bangkok in two weeks’ time.

But national Under-23 coach Datuk Ong Kim Swee is left guessing about his team’s line-up for the tournament.

The former international has no idea how many of the players called up for the final phase of centralised training will turn up at Wisma FAM in Kelana Jaya today.

Kim Swee has called up 26 players, but only 14 are likely to report for duty.

It is learned that Super League teams Kedah, Penang and Pahang and FAM Cup side Felcra may not release their players for the centralised camp and the AFC Under-23 qualifiers as the dates clash with the Malaysia Cup and the M-League.

Should the teams release their players, they will lose their key players for two Super League fixtures – on July 7 and July 18 – and three Malaysia Cup matches – on July 11, July 15 and July 23.

The Football Malaysia Limited Liability Partnership (FMLLP), who are the M-League organisers, are willing to reschedule the fixtures if the teams make a request.

But FMLLP chief executive officer Kevin Ramalingam said that there has been no official request from any team for a postponement.

Yesterday, Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) secretary-general Datuk Hamidin Mohd Amin ruled out the possibility of postponing the M-League matches so as to enable the teams to release their players.

“There will be no changes to the M-League fixtures because if the matches are postponed, the season will end late and the teams will have problems preparing for the next season,” he said.

National Under-23 team manager Datuk Yusoff Mahadi said that they have not decided on their options for the AFC Under-23 qualifiers.

“We can only decide on a contingency plan once the players turn up for training tomorrow (today),” said Yusoff, who is also the FAM deputy president.

“For me, I don’t think there’s a problem with postponing the Malaysia Cup and M-League matches to accommodate the national Under-23 team’s training camp. The teams will actually have more time to prepare for these matches.

“The teams will be playing nine matches in July. So, if the matches are postponed, it would be better for them.”

Kim Swee’s men will play a friendly against the Myanmar Under-22 side at the Shah Alam Stadium on July 13 before leaving for Bangkok on July 17.

Malaysia will open their Group H campaign against Indonesia on July 19 before facing hosts Thailand (July 21) and Mongolia (July 23).

The AFC Under-23 qualifiers are also part of the national team’s preparations for the 2017 KL SEA Games on Aug 19-30.