Kim Swee hopes to get full squad for Merdeka tourney

PETALING JAYA: National Under-23 coach Ong Kim Swee (pic) will put his SEA Games squad to a final test at the Merdeka Tournament in Kuantan next month.

Kim Swee, who will return with the Harimau Muda A squad from Slovakia on Tuesday, said the Merdeka Tournament would be the last warm-up ahead of the SEA Games in Myanmar from Dec 11-22.

“We have been in Europe for almost five months. The boys played 22 matches, including those in the World University Games in Kazan. All the exposure and experience will be useful for the players,” said Kim Swee from Slovakia yesterday.

The Malaysians have been based in Slovakia since March for the playing tour against top Corgon Liga (Division One) teams as well as against other club sides from Hungary and the Czech Republic.

“My main concern now is to get the full team available for the Merdeka Tournament. I have not worked with the full team, yet. Some are playing in the M-League while some have been in and out with long-term injuries. This time I wish to have the full team for the Merdeka Tournament,” said Kim Swee.

Those involved in the M-League are Mohd Nazmi Faiz Mansur (PKNS FC), K. Prabahkaran (Sime Darby FC), K. Reuben (Armed Forces) and Nik Shahrul Azim Abd Halim (Kelantan) while Wan Zack Haikal Wan Nor and Nazirul Naim Che Hashim are both attached with J-League Division Three outfit Ryukyu FC.

Those on the crock list are Gary Steven Robbat, Izzaq Faris Ramlan, Amer Saidin, Mohd Nuridzuan Abu Hassan and Fandi Othman.

The Merdeka Tournament is scheduled from Sept 5-15. The participating teams are mostly Under-23 squads preparing for the SEA Games. The teams are Thailand, Singapore, Myanmar and Malaysia.

Malaysia won back-to-back SEA Games gold medals in Laos (2009) and Jakarta (2011).