Struggling defenders join with Olympic squad in Slovakia

Malaysian Under-23 coach Ong Kim Swee believes that it would be good for his defenders to have a breather in Slovakia after their hectic time with the national senior team.

The Under-23 team are in Slovakia to prepare for the final round of the Asian Zone Olympic qualifiers.

The defenders – Mohd Muslim Ahmad, Mohd Fadhli Mohd Shas and Mahalli Jasuli – were heavily criticised for their lacklustre performances for the senior team’s failure to advance to third round of the Asian Zone World Cup qualifier.

Malaysia’s lost the first leg in the second round qualifier 3-5 to Singapore and drew 1-1 at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil on Thursday in the second leg to go out 6-4 on aggregate.

 Under attack: Mahalli Jasuli is one of the three Under-23 defenders whose performance with the senior team was criticised for being lacklustre during the Asian Zone World Cup qualifier.

“Obviously they would be fatigued by now as these players had a very hectic season,” said Kim Swee in a telephone interview from Vion, Slovakia.

“Muslim, Mahalli and Fadhli have played through the tight fixtures of the M-league before playing in the second round of Olympic qualifier and shortly after that they joined the senior team for the World Cup qualifying campaign.

“It will be good for them to come to Slovakia. They can refresh their minds and get their focus back.”

The trio will be joined by strikers Izzaq Faris Ramlan, Ahmad Fakri Saarani, midfielder G. Gurusamy and goalkeeper Khairul Fahmi Che Mat – all with the senior team – for the training stint Slovakia until Aug 28.

Kim Swee and 23 players left for the camp on July 23 and the seven players with the senior team will join them on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, the Malaysia Under-23 squad recorded their second victory on Saturday by beating Slovakian Division Three side MFK Topvar Topolcany 2-1. Earlier, they beat Division Two club Bodva Moldava 1-0 in their first friendly on Tuesday.

Malaysia, who were a goal down in the first half, went to score two goals after the break. The goals were scored by Ferris Danial Mat Nasir and Fandi Othman who converted a penalty to win the match.

Malaysia will start campaign against Japan on Sept 21 before two home matches against Syria (Nov 23) and Bahrain (Nov 27) in the final round of the 2012 Olympic qualifiers.