The move to “rest” 14 Johor Darul Takzim players from the national squad has shocked many but national football head coach Tan Cheng Hoe has made it clear that they are not dropped.
“We are already out of the Asia Cup and resting the JDT players will allow them to have some rest for their AFC Cup matches. At the same time it gives me the opportunity to try and expose young talent at a higher level of competitive football,” said Cheng Hoe after a training session on Friday.
Releasing the 14 players from JDT sent shock waves in the football fraternity as it came less than 24 hours after Malaysia, ranked 178, were held to a 2-2 draw by Mongolia in Grade A international friendly at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil. Mongolia are ranked 189.
“The team management had a discussion today (Friday) and it was in the best interest of Malaysian football. I must make it clear that the JDT are not dropped.
“The said players are very much part and parcel of the national squad and can be called up again. For now we believe that the exposure and playing against Lebanon will stand in good stead for Malaysian football,” added Cheng Hoe.
The 14 JDT rested are Safiq Rahim, Hazwan Bakri, Darren Lok, Nazmi Faiz Mansor, Safawi Rasid, Fadhli Shas, Fazly Mazlan, S. Kunanlan, Afiq Fazail, Syafiq Ahmad, Adam Nor Azlin, Haziq Nadzli, Natxo Insa and Corbin Ong. Nine of them featured in the match against Mongolia.
Those called up to fill the vacuum are Zaquan Adha Abdul Radzak (KL), Shahrel Fikri Fauzi (Perak SEDC), Jafri Firdaus Chew (PKNS FC), Shahril Saari (PKNC FC), Nor Hakim Hassan (Perak), Nazirul Naim Che Hassan (Perak), Syazwan Zaipol Bahari (Perak), Syawal Nordin (Kedah) and M. Kogileswaran (Pahang).
The national team leaves for Beirut at midnight on Saturday. The match against Lebanon is on Tuesday.
“I had a training session today (Friday) and there will be couple of training sessions in Beirut. It gives me time to workout the combinations and strategies,” said Cheng Hoe. – BY RIZAL ABDULLAH
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