Under-23 squad to train in Australia next month

The national Under-23 team is set to get a training-cum-playing stint in Australia in mid December.

The national Under-23 have been going to Slovakia for the stints since 2006 and the most recent was under coach Ong Kim Swee in July.

The stint have been rewarding as the young players have shown vast improvement and the SEA Games gold medal is testament.

Team manager Datuk Hamidin Mohd Amin said the National Sports Council (NSC) are supportive of the stint in Sydney.

Full stretch: Malaysia’s Muhammad Zubir Mohd Azmi (right) trying to block this shot from Syria’s Mardek Mardkian during their Asian Olympic qualifying match last night.

“After the FAM technical meeting we agreed to send the squad to Australia and NSC have accepted our request and are very supportive of it,” said Hamidin.

“Our plan is to play at least three top Australian sides and we hope to have a two-week stint there.”

Hamidin also revealed that the FA of Malaysia (FAM) president Sultan Ahmad Shah will reward the team for successfully defending the SEA Games gold medal on Monday

“After the win against Indonesia, Sultan Ahmad Shah agreed to give each player and official RM30,000 from his own pocket as an incentive,” said Hamidin.

“FAM also will reward the players and the team official later.”