Youngsters have chance to be game-changers in defence with Marhan

Malaysia’s priority in their first two international tournaments – the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup from May 4-11 and the Nations Cup from May 31-June 9 – is to build a solid defence.

It will be an enviable task for the Speedy Tigers as they are only left with the experienced Marhan Jalil to marshall the defence after veteran Razie Rahim and Najmi Farizal Jazlan were left out during the ongoing trials by head coach Sarjit Singh.

Sarjit has included 11 defenders for the trials where Syed Mohd Syafiq Syed Cholan, who is making a return after opting out from the national squad in June, 2022, and Tigers’ regulars Amirul Hamizan Azahar and Syafiq Hassan are expected to make the final squad of 30.

However, Sarjit has thrown the challenge to the younger players who have been called up to show their worth.

“We need to strengthen our defence because lately, we have been conceding a lot of goals. A solid defence will make you hold the game or win the game,” said Sarjit.

“So, we need to have a very good structure in defence and should not commit silly errors. Marking players will be very important and the defenders need to be very disciplined on the pitch.

“Marhan will be the only experienced player in defence while the rest will be relatively new. But it will be a blessing in disguise as youngsters have the chance to show that they deserve to be in the starting XI.

“They have the Azlan Shah Cup and the Nations Cup to showcase their ability and claim their spots in the main defensive line-up.”

This should come as a good news for several youngsters who could earn their spots.

Najib Hassan and Syarman Mat Tee are the players who have featured in former coach A. Arulselvaraj’s squad while national junior captain Fariz Harizan is also a potential player who could feature in Sarjit’s plans.

The other defenders who would be fighting for their spots during the trials are Firdaus Omar, Luqman Nul Hakim Ahmad Shukran, Kamarulzaman Kamaruddin, Arif Syafie Ishak and Andywalfian Jeffrynus.

Sarjit believes that Malaysia have better quality in midfield and strike force, which are expected to be led by Fitri Saari and his brother Faizal respectively.

The national trials involving 46 players, will come to an end at the National Hockey Stadium in Bukit Jalil today and Sarjit will be naming the final squad on Monday (April 1).