Sweating it out: Faisal Halim in action during a national team training session. — FAM
Winger makes strong impression at national training camp, says Cklamovski
PETALING JAYA: Nine days of camp and Faisal Halim is continuing to progress as a player and that has made Malaysia coach Peter Cklamovski a happy man.
The Australian said the nippy winger has made a strong impression in the national training camp and feels he has a story to tell for years to come based on his comeback.
Faisal was one of the 27 players named for Harimau Malaya’s training camp for their 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers fixture against Nepal last night at the Sultan Ibrahim Stadium in Johor.
“It is exciting to watch him play in the national team. He can hurt teams and get us forward. Whether now or in the future, he has it in him,” said Cklamovski.
“It is a good moment for him to come back to the national team. He deserves it, he is a fantastic winger. I feel like he has a story to tell and I am sure it would grow progressively.”
Faisal, 27, had been absent from the Harimau Malaya team since last May when he became the victim of an acid attack that left him with severe burns and his career hung in the balance.
The player, fondly known as Mickey, recently scored a hattrick against Kelantan in Selangor’s 7-0 win in the Super League and was thankful to get the call to the national team once again.
When asked if Faisal was able to cope with the gruelling sessions of the national team, Cklamovski said the Penangite was adjusting well.
“Not just him, but every player in this call-up has adapted to our ways. We are pleased with the physical outcome we got from all the players,” he said.
“Now we have to think of how we can get every player better, especially after camp. I want all to level up physically especially for the June call-up.
“I would look at the physical levels of all those in the current call-up and also those who have not been called, see if they fit with our intent in terms of physical outcome.”
