Datuk Ong Kim Swee (fourth from right) is close to finalising his 20-player football squad for the Myanmar SEA Games.
PETALING JAYA: National Under-23 coach Datuk Ong Kim Swee is close to finalising his 20-player football squad for the Myanmar SEA Games.
The former international has two more warm-up matches lined up – against Johor Darul Ta’zim II in Larkin on Friday and the visiting Japanese Third Division side FC Ryukyu at the MBPJ Stadium on Dec 4 – before making the call.
“I’m going to have a tough time trimming the training squad from 26 to 20,” said Kim Swee on Thursday.
For the SEA Games, defending champions Malaysia are in Group A with Vietnam, Singapore, Brunei and Laos. Group B comprises Indonesia, Thailand, Timor Leste, Cambodia and hosts Myanmar.
Kim Swee said that the two friendlies would be crucial to test the players ahead of the SEA Games.
“I will try out a couple of new combinations due to injuries to several key players. I want to see the best possible combinations before I decide on the final 20,” said Kim Swee, who has lost several stalwarts, including midfielder Junior Eldstal, who has been advised to take a three-month rest due to a nagging back injury.
The other players who will miss the Games through injuries are defenders Fandi Othman, Nik Shahrul Azim, midfielder Gary Steven Robbat, winger Wan Zack Haikal Wan Nor and forward Syahrul Azwari Ibrahim.
The only consolation for Kim Swee is the return of striker Izzaq Faris Ramlan and attacking midfielder Ashri Chuchu from injuries.
The duo were put to the test in the recent overseas tour, including playing in the invitational BIDC Cup in Cambodia and the two friendlies against the Jordan Under-22 side which they lost 3-1 and 5-0.
Kim Swee’s boys will play Brunei in the opening Group A match on Dec 10 in Naypyitaw.
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