Game for a stretch: Malaysian futsal team player Mohd Ridzwan Bakri at training.
PETALING JAYA: Malaysia futsal team player Mohd Ridzwan Bakri knows winning a medal at the Thailand SEA Games will be a major challenge, but he believes Malaysia can finally end their eight-year wait for a podium finish.
And for that to happen, the national team will need him at his very best.
The Tawau-born player, who represents Johor Darul Ta’zim in the Malaysian Futsal League, is renowned for his explosive scoring prowess.
The 31-year-old’s close control and dribbling skills have also drew admiration throughout the national futsal scene, qualities Malaysia will rely on heavily as they chase success in Thailand.
Malaysia last won a SEA Games futsal medal in 2017 on home soil, securing silver in the round-robin competition behind regional powerhouse Thailand.
Ridzwan, who featured in both the 2017 and 2021 editions, is hopeful of helping the nation return to the podium.
But ending the drought will be no easy task, with Malaysia set to battle Thailand, Indonesia, Myanmar and Vietnam — with Thailand and Indonesia being the favourites for gold.
All matches will be held at the Nonthaburi Sports Complex Gymnasium from Dec 15 to 19.
“We want to win a medal, but we must work hard for it,” said the player fondly known as Iwan.
“In 2017, we had a long camp because we played in the AFF Futsal Championship before the Games. It’s similar this year - we had the Asian Cup qualifiers and now the SEA Games. So, unity and chemistry shouldn’t be an issue.
“We now believe we can compete with top nations like Thailand and Indonesia. The mix of young and experienced players can help Malaysian futsal grow.”
He added that the current squad are solid and boosted by emerging young talents.
“The synergy between the senior and younger players is good. Experience isn’t a problem because all of us have been playing regular futsal, both domestically and internationally.”
Malaysia will also use the SEA Games as preparation for the Asian Cup in Jakarta from Jan 27-Feb 7.
The squad, coached by Thai tactician Rakhpol Sainetngam, booked their Asian Cup spot as one of the seven best runners-up from the eight qualifying groups in September.
Malaysia finished second in Group G with six points from three matches.
Their last appearance at the tournament was in 2018 in Taiwan, where they reached the group stage.
