Weaknesses in national team can be rectified through changes in team management

Tunku Ismail who was appointed FAM President Tengku Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah's advisor recently said a more professional management can improve the performance of the team.

"I believe the weaknesses in the National squad can be overcome with a more professional team management," Tunku Ismail who is also the Tunku Mahkota of Johor told reporters during a press conference at the Tan Sri Dato Haji Hassan Yunos Stadium in Larkin, today.

The National squad has suffered four defeats in five friendly matches during the team's run up to the 2014 AFF Suzuki Cup which starts next week.

The National squad suffered a 1-4 defeat against Tajikistan at the Central Dushanbe Stadium in Tajikistan on Aug 8, followed by a 0-2 defeat to Indonesia at the Gelora Delta Sidoarjo Stadium in Surabaya, Indonesia on Sept 14.

Last Wednesday, Dollah's boys suffered a 0-3 defeat against the Syrian Under-23 squad at the Shah Alam Stadium and on Saturday lost 1-3 to Vietnam at the My Dinh Stadium in Hanoi, Vietnam.

The only win was against lowly Cambodia (4-1) at the Shah Alam on Sept 20. The series of loses has also raised the concern of football fans in the country as well as FAM president Tengku Abdullah.

Tunku Ismail said changes would not mean a total revamp in the FAM but rather Tengku Abdullah must appoint an individual who is really committed to develop football in the country.

Malaysia kick off their AFF Suzuki Cup campaign against Myanmar on Nov 23 in Singapore.