Razman back to add steel to Malaysia's backline

PETALING JAYA: Pahang skipper Razman Roslan will be back to boost Malaysia’s defence in the friendly against Cambodia at the Shah Alam Stadium on Saturday.

The 30-year-old national centreback was left out of the friendly against Indonesia in Surabaya last Sunday due to illness.

Razman has told critics not to write off the national team’s chances in the Asean Football Federation (AFF) Suzuki Cup in November. 

Coach Dollah Salleh has come under fire following back-to-back friendly losses to Tajikistan (4-1) and Indonesia (2-0).

“It is not fair to pass judgement based on the team’s performances in the two friendlies. There’s still time to work on the team,” said Razman, who was a member of former coach Datuk K. Rajagopal’s 2010 AFF Suzuki Cup-winning team.

He said that in the 2010 AFF Suzuki Cup, Malaysia were thrashed 5-1 by hosts Indonesia in their opening game but bounced back to win the championship for the first time.

“We are rebuilding the team. It will take time to test the players in friendlies. But I can assure you that we have the material to give our opponents a run for their money in the Suzuki Cup,” said Razman.

Coach Dollah was in Incheon to look at the national Under-23 squad play against Laos as some of the players are likely to be roped into the national training squad after the Asian Games.

They include sweeper Mohd Aidil Zafuan, defenders Mohd Zubir Othman, Mohd Fadhli Shas, midfielders Brendan Gan, Nazmi Faiz, Junior Eldstal and striker Mohd Norfarhan Mohd.

After the friendly against Cambodia, the national team will play Terengganu in Kuala Terengganu on Sept 24. Their final friendly will be against Jordan on Oct 11.

The AFF Cup is scheduled from Nov 22-Dec 20.

Malaysia are in Group B with defending champions and co-hosts Singapore and three-time champions Thailand. The fourth team will be decided from a five-team qualifying tournament, which involves Myanmar, Laos, Brunei, Timor Leste and Cambodia.

The teams in Group A are co-hosts Vietnam, the Philippines, Indonesia and the runners-up from the qualifiers.