Davies tells baby Elephants to be patient
PETALING JAYA: Budding youngsters in the Pahang football team have to exercise patience if they hope to play in the first 11.
Pahang captain Matthew Davies, though happy to see the likes of Faisal Halim, R. Dinesh and R. Kogileswaran doing well for the national Under-23 team, said the boys have to prove themselves before they can earn a berth in coach Dollah Salleh’s squad.
“They also have to be patient if they want to get a chance,” said the 24-year-old rightback.
“Mickey (Faisal) and Dinesh played very well in the AFC U-23 qualifiers and have showed their mettle as first-team players.
“If selected, I’m sure they’re capable of helping the team move forward. Both of them definitely deserve to play at a higher level.”
Both these youngsters are itching for first-team action and might get a chance against Felda United in the Super League today at the Tun Abdul Razak Stadium in Jengka, Pahang.
Faisal Rosli is the first-choice leftback, which is Dinesh’s position, while winger Faisal Halim is behind Saddil Ramdani and Mohamadou Sumareh in the pecking order.
Davies said players down for the Felda game will relish the experience of playing in Jengka, as it is almost like a home game for the Elephants.
“The players are confident at the moment and we will be out to continue our early season form. Playing in Jengka is almost like a home game because lots of Pahang fans are there too.”
He also said the recent international break will not hamper the team’s momentum in the league.
“The international break is good because most of the players selected for national duty will play at a higher level and it is only good for their fitness.
“The only negative point is we could not train together during the break due to our international assignment. Nevertheless, we have a solid team with strength in depth.”
And this factor needs to be fully utilised against Felda as Pahang’s Nigerian striker Dickson Nwakaeme, who has scored four goals in the Super League, is suspended after collecting three yellow cards from six matches in the Super League.
However, Davies believes other players are capable of deputising for the absent Nwakaeme.
“Mat Yo can always step up. We should not miss him (Nwakaeme) too much. Ze Love combines well with Mat Yo, and I am sure they would come good against Felda.”
Davies will also be relishing the mouthwatering duel between him and Felda United’s captain Hadin Azman. The duo played for the national squad in the recent Airmarine Cup in Kuala Lumpur last week.
“We played together recently and I have got to say, he is a quality player. On his day, he can be menacing, and we have to keep a close watch on him,” said Davies.
Pahang are second in the Super League standings with 14 points while Felda are ninth with six points.