SEA Games squad coach confident Malaysia can reach semi final

Malaysian Under-23 coach Ong Kim Swee is confident his team have the experience and depth to advance to the semi-finals of the Sea Games in Jakarta.

 

Malaysia, the defending champions, open their Group A campaign against Singapore on Monday followed by Thailand two days later, Cambodia (Nov 13) and Indonesia (Nov 17).

Kim Swee is expected to name experienced players comprising those who played in either the 2009 Laos Sea Games or 2010 AFF Cup winning squads for the assignment.

Among them are Khairul Fahmi Che Mat, Muslim Ahmad, Asraruddin Putra Omar, Baddrol Baktiar, Izzaq Faris Ramlan, K. Gurusamy, Fandi Othman, Mahalli Jasulli and Fadhli Mohd Shas.

Others who have shone of late are Syahrul Azwari Ibrahim, Irfan Faizal, Yong Kong Yong and Izuan Solahuddin.

"My players have blended well but still lack the fluency in attack. They tend to waste too many scoring chances," said Kim Swee.

"I am looking to Kong Yong and Syahrul Azwari to solve my problem as both can play in any attacking position."

Kim Swee said his players also tend to lose concentration in matches.

"They cannot afford this against tough opponents. I have reminded them many times but some have yet to learn," he said.

Kim Swee is contemplating including players with minor injuries in his Sea Games squad if he thinks they can recover in time for either the second or third group match.

Those on the crock list are defender Amer Saidin, midfielder Gary Steven Robbat and strikers Wan Zack Haikal Wan Noor and Wan Zaharulnizam Wan Zakaria but they are responding well to treatment.

On the Sea Games' fixtures, Kim Swee said he was happy with the schedule.

"We have ample rest between matches. It will help in my players' recovery," said Kim Swee, adding that the team captain will be announced today.

He is expected to name either Khairul Fahmi or Baddrol as captain.

The team are expected to leave for Jakarta on Friday.