Getting intense: Malaysia’s Dion Cools (right) vying for the ball with Singapore’s Jordan Emaviwe.
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia will have to do without defenders Dion Cools and Facundo Garces for their upcoming friendly against Palestine but head coach Peter Cklamovski insists the team’s principles, not individual absences, will define their progress.
“Facundo is off to Spain today and Dion is going to Japan as well. Both are off early to their clubs,” Cklamovski confirmed after Thursday’s 2-1 win over Singapore at Bukit Jalil.
“This is why I said we have a balanced approach with our camp. We balance freshness and keep building our identity for future camps. We want the boys to come in good rhythm for the October camp, so that is connected.”
Garces will return to his club Alaves as they have an important La Liga clash against Athletic Bilbao on Sept 14 while Cools rejoins Cerezo Osaka, who will play Avispa Fukuoka in the J-League on Sept 13.
The Australian tactician stressed that Malaysia’s growth lies in strengthening fundamentals and collective responsibility.
“Overall, I am proud of the players for getting the win for the country. It wasn’t easy against an opponent we respect,” said Cklamovski.
“But there were periods of the game that we fell away from fundamentals – moved the ball too slow, distances were too big, too many touches. These things make it difficult and we get disconnected from our game. It is collective.”
Malaysia, buoyed by goals from Stuart Wilkin and Joao Figueiredo, showed flashes of fluid attacking play but also had to grind out the result as Singapore pushed late.
For Cklamovski, that blend of resilience and quality is part of the team’s ongoing evolution.
“The positive thing is we had good passages and got the ball to good areas, which could expose them and we got the rewards too.
“When you get a victory and learn things, that is good. We won and we learned.”
The coach also took a moment to defend winger Arif Aiman Hanapi, who faced heavy scrutiny despite a disciplined performance.
“Arif is a good player. I know everyone expects magic whenever he has the ball, but he is a good person and a professional. He wants to do his best for Malaysia. It was a tough performance for everyone, including him but they got it done.”
With Palestine next on the schedule at the Sultan Ibrahim Stadium in Iskandar Puteri on Monday, Malaysia’s depth will be tested in defence, but Cklamovski remains upbeat about the opportunities it presents.
“I’m excited, it gives opportunity to players. Mentality is growing. Whoever plays, we stick together and play our football. That is the best way to keep improving.”
For Malaysia, the win against Singapore was another step in building belief under Cklamovski.
The next test will reveal how far their collective identity can carry them without two of their key defenders.
