Saturday, 23 July 2011

Olympic squad leaves for Slovakia training

The Malaysian Olympic squad left for a five-week tour of Slovakia yesterday in preparation for a difficult group phase of the Asian Olympic qualification.

The squad includes 12 players who featured in the Malaysian Selection's 1-0 defeat to Chelsea in Bukit Jalil on Thursday and another nine who were newly called up.


Among those joining the Olympic squad for the first time are Felda United defender Azrul Azmi, Kuala Lumpur striker Ahmad Hazwan Bakri, Kelantan forward Izuan Solahuddin and PKNS winger Azrif Nasrulhaq Badrul Hisham.

Seven players eligible for the Olympic team but who are currently with the national squad for the World Cup qualifiers against Singapore were excused from the tour.

They are goalkeeper Khairul Fahmi Che Mat, defenders Mahalli Jasuli, Muslim Ahmad and Fadhli Shas, midfielder K. Gurusamy and strikers Ahmad Fakri Saarani and Izzaq Faris Ramlan.

Kim Swee said seven friendly matches have been lined up in Slovakia.

"The seven matches will provide exposure for the players, especially those who are in the squad for the first time.

"Whether the players with the senior national team will be able to join us depends on how the team progresses. The national team have their own programme but what it does is that it gives us a bigger pool of players to choose from.

"With more international quality matches, this team can only get better," said Kim Swee.

Following the squad's return from Slovakia on Aug 28, they will likely travel to South Korea for a friendly match before meeting Japan in a Group C Olympic qualifier on Sept 21.
Malaysia also meet Syria and Bahrain on Nov 23 and Nov 27 respectively at home.

SQUAD -- Goalkeepers: Zamer Selamat, Izham Tarmizi Roslan, K. Sasikumar;
Defenders: Zubir Azmi, Nazirul Naim Che Hashim, Amer Saidin, Fandi Othman, Affizie Faisal Mamat, Azrul Azmi, Syazwan Tajuddin, Nazmi Faiz Mansor;
Midfielders: Ferris Danial Mat Nasir, Wan Zaharulnizam Wan Zakaria, Faizal Abu Bakar, Abdul Shukur Jusoh, Gary Steven Robbat, Wan Zack Haikal Wan Nor, Azrif Nasrulhaq Badrul Hisham;
Forwards: Irfan Fazail, A. Thamil Arasu, Syahrul Azwari Ibrahim, Ahmad Hazwan Bakri, Izuan Solahuddin.

No comments:

Post a Comment