THE FA of Malaysia has withdrawn Young Tigers A (Harimau Muda A) from the Malaysia Cup to give the national Olympic team time to prepare for the third round of the Olympic qualifiers.
Tigers finished fifth in the Super League to qualify for the Malaysia Cup in September and October but the first Asian Olympic qualifying Group C fixture against Japan on Sept 21 could prove problematic, schedule-wise.
The Olympic team will depart for a five-week tour of Slovakia on July 23 after which coach Ong Kim Swee hopes to line up two friendlies, with South Korea and Oman.
FAM competitions committee chairman Datuk Hamidin Amin said either Pahang or Sime Darby will fill the Malaysia Cup vacancy caused by Young Tigers' withdrawal.
"A playoff will be held on July 19 and 22 with Sime Darby hosting Pahang in the first leg to decide the 16th qualifier for the Malaysia Cup as Young Tigers A will not be playing in the tournament due to their Olympic qualifying commitments," said Hamidin yesterday.
Pahang finished 13th in the Super League and were relegated while Sime Darby just missed out on qualification after a 1-0 defeat to Police in their final game saw them end up fifth in the Premier League.
Hamidin said the FAM executive committee will meet on Tuesday to discuss the various issues pertaining to the M-League structure and scheduling for next season.
Meanwhile, Super League champions Kelantan are keen to play in the AFC Cup next season.
"As the Super League champions, we have qualified for the AFC Cup and Kelantan will definitely play in the tournament," said Kelantan FA president Tan Sri Annuar Musa.
Terengganu also voiced their intention to play in the AFC Cup after winning the FA Cup. Selangor and Negri Sembilan both declined to compete in this year's AFC Cup.
Tigers finished fifth in the Super League to qualify for the Malaysia Cup in September and October but the first Asian Olympic qualifying Group C fixture against Japan on Sept 21 could prove problematic, schedule-wise.
The Olympic team will depart for a five-week tour of Slovakia on July 23 after which coach Ong Kim Swee hopes to line up two friendlies, with South Korea and Oman.
FAM competitions committee chairman Datuk Hamidin Amin said either Pahang or Sime Darby will fill the Malaysia Cup vacancy caused by Young Tigers' withdrawal.
"A playoff will be held on July 19 and 22 with Sime Darby hosting Pahang in the first leg to decide the 16th qualifier for the Malaysia Cup as Young Tigers A will not be playing in the tournament due to their Olympic qualifying commitments," said Hamidin yesterday.
Pahang finished 13th in the Super League and were relegated while Sime Darby just missed out on qualification after a 1-0 defeat to Police in their final game saw them end up fifth in the Premier League.
Hamidin said the FAM executive committee will meet on Tuesday to discuss the various issues pertaining to the M-League structure and scheduling for next season.
Meanwhile, Super League champions Kelantan are keen to play in the AFC Cup next season.
"As the Super League champions, we have qualified for the AFC Cup and Kelantan will definitely play in the tournament," said Kelantan FA president Tan Sri Annuar Musa.
Terengganu also voiced their intention to play in the AFC Cup after winning the FA Cup. Selangor and Negri Sembilan both declined to compete in this year's AFC Cup.
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