National head coach Datuk Ong Kim Swee has decided to drop three players from the 26-member squad that was preparing for the AFF Suzuki Cup 2016 in Yangon, Myanmar.

The three who faced the chop were Mohamad Nasir Basharudin (Perak), Melaka United's Ahmad Khuzaimi Piee and T-Team's Mohd Safawi Rasid.

Dropping Mohamad Nasir and Ahmad Khuzaimi wasn't difficult as both have yet to recover from injuries suffered during centralised training at Wisma FAM in Kelana Jaya said Kim Swee.

Kim Swee said since the tournament rules allow only 23 players to be registered, he had no choice but to drop Mohd Safawi since there are three other players who are playing in the same position, namely skipper Mohd Amri Yahyah (Johor Darul Ta'zim), Mohd Hadin Azman (Felda United) and Kedah's Mohd Syazwan Zainon.

"It is always a difficult decision to drop players but I had to make the decision based on circumstances and regulations of the tournament," he told reporters after announcing the names of the 23 players here today.

Malaysia drawn in Group B of the AFF Suzuki Cup which kicks off on Sunday, have Cambodia, Vietnam and host Myanmar for company.

Kim Swee's boys kick off their campaign against Cambodia on Sunday before facing Vietnam on Nov 23 and the host country three days later at the Youth Training Centre Stadium in Thuwunna, Yangon.

Meanwhile, Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) secretary-general Datuk Hamidin Mohd Amin said the National team need to focus on making the semifinal first before moving on to the final for the fourth time.

"We must face the challenges posed by Cambodia, Vietnam and Myanmar before eyeing a spot in the final for the fourth time," he said.

Malaysia has made it to the final in 1996, 2010 and 2014 but only managed to lift the cup in 2010 after beating Indonesia 4-2 on aggregate. - BERNAMA