Pahang players Matthew and Azam out of Asiad squad

PETALING JAYA: There is no place for two Pahang players, Matthew Davies

(pic) and Nor Azam Abdul Azih, in the Under-23 football squad for the Asian Games in Indonesia from Aug 18-Sept 2.

National coach Ong Kim Swee has dropped Matthew and Azam following their no shows at the training session at Wisma FAM in Kelana Jaya on Monday.

Kim Swee has finalised his 22-member squad on Wednesday for the Asiad.

He also dropped three other players – PKNS FC player Muhammad Jafri Muhammad Firdaus Chew and JDT’s Mohamed Syamer Kutty Abba and Aidil Zafuan Abdul Radzak – because of injuries.

Kim Swee’s 22-member squad will head for a friendly against China’s Under23 squad in Changzhou on Sunday at the Changzhou Olympic Sports Centre. He is then expected to name the final list of 20 players after the match.

JDT’s Hadi Fayyadh Abdul Razak is unable to join the team to China because of his commitment to training with a club in Japan.

At the Asian Games, Malaysia will open their Group E campaign against Kyrgyzstan on Aug 10. It will be followed by group matches against the United Arab Emirates (Aug 12), South Korea (Aug 17) and Bahrain (Aug 20).

Kim Swee said Malaysia can progress beyond the group stage if they play to their true potential.

“Defending champions South Korea and the UAE have been training earnestly for the Asian Games but we should not let that affect us. It’s a tough group but we fancy our chances,” said Kim Swee.

Kim Swee said he had not been informed about the withdrawal of Iraq and was unsure whether there would be a redraw.

“If it (Iraq’s withdrawal) is true, then it would be difficult to select four thirdplaced teams to progress to the next round,” he said.

The top two teams in each six groups will be joined by four best third-placed teams for the knockout stage.

On the hostile reception against Malaysia in Indonesia, Kim Swee said the Football Association of Malaysia had taken the all preventive measures, including the appointment of a security officer to accompany the team.

“I don’t see any problem if we follow the advice of the security officer who is experienced,” he said.