National football coach Datuk K. Rajagobal today announced 22 of the 25 players who will shoulder Malaysia's challenge at the AFF Cup which starts on Sunday.
Three players were dropped, Zaquan Adha Abdul Radzak (striker), Irwan Fadzli Idrus (defender) and Mohd Izham Tarmizi Roslan (goalkeeper).
Rajagobal said Zaquan Adha had to be dropped due to injuries when playing against Bangladesh on Tuesday at the Bukit Jalil National Stadium, while the other two were dropped based on their performances during centralised training.
"I looked at their performances during training and made the decision based on my observations.
"To me, what's more important is that a player is capable of playing in more than one position like Ahmad Fakri (Saarani) who can play on the left and right wings," he added.
Rajagobal said, Kedah striker Khyrill Muhymeen Zambri and Harimau Muda A striker Ahmad Hazwan Bakri also demonstrated their ease in midfield and wing.
Rajagobal reminded the 22 selected players to focus fully on all the matches in the competition.
"I want the players to be aware that the AFF Cup matches will not be easy, especially the opening (Group B) with Singapore (Sunday)," he said.
Earlier, Football Association of Malaysia deputy president Tengku Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah made a surprise 30-minute visit to witness the national squad's training session.
The Tengku Mahkota of Pahang expressed confidence that the combination of old and new faces in the national squad would have a positive impact at the AFF Cup.
Malaysia, which was voted into Group B, will face Singapore on Sunday and Laos on Wednesday, before completing its group match with Indonesia on Dec 1.
All matches would be played at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil.
Malaysia:
Khairul Fahmi Che Mat, Mohd Farizal Marlias, Mahalli Jasuli, Fadhli Shas, Muhammad Zubir Mohd Azmi, Mohd Faizal Muhammad, Aidil Zafuan Abdul Radzak, Mohd Bunyamin Umar, Mohd Azmi Muslim, Amar Rohidan, Baddrol Bakhtiar, Wan Zack Haikal Wan Nor, Azamuddin Mohd Akil, S. Kunalan, Safiq Rahim
(captain), Mohd Shakir Shaari, Gary Steven Robbat, Mohd Khyrill Muhymeen Zambri, Ahmad Fakri Saarani, Ahmad Hazwan Bakri, Norshahrul Idlan Talaha, Safee Sali.
Bernama
Sat Nov 24 2012
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