European football clubs eyeing local players

The ability of young players in the country to attract attention from European clubs augers well for Malaysian football said Harimau Muda coach Ong Kim Swee.

Kim Swee said all his players have the capability to represent any club in Europe.

"Currently many young players in the country are on the radar of European clubs and that is a very positive development because they can gain valuable exposure and experience.

"Their competitiveness and credibility in winning the 2011 SEA Games gold in Indonesia and the Newspaper Cup in Vietnam recently has strengthened their appeal," he told Bernama when commenting on interest shown by foreign clubs towards young Harimau Muda A striker Ahmad Fakri Saarani.

Ahmad Fakri is currently playing for Felda United.

According to reports, the player from Kelantan, aged 23, will be signing a six-month contract with Portugal's Division 3 Club, Atletico Sport Clube Reguengos and follow in the foot steps of Nazmi Faiz Mansor who had joined another Portuguese club, Beira Mar.

Kim Swee said efforts to improve the quality of young players must be continued by exposing them to high level competitions, both here and abroad.