With the bitter experience in Jogjakarta still fresh on their minds, Melaka United Futsal Club have set a modest target of just wanting to qualify for the semi-finals of the AFF Futsal Cup next week in Nakhon Ratchasima.
In Jogjakarta, over-confidence led to the collapse of Melaka United when they failed to make the final four of the championship.
“We had some problems last year but suffice to say that over-confidence was an issue especially in the second game against Sanatech (which they lost 7-3),” said Melaka United FC team manager Mohd Sam Ahmad.
“It was for this reason that we revamped the squad this year where for the upcoming AFF Futsal Cup, we have decided to rely more on the young players.
“More than half of the team is under the age of 23-years-old. And in spite of their young age, they have been competitive where they played well against Malaysian top club Kuantan Rangers recently.”
With four old hands in the squad to guide the youngsters, Mohd Sam feels confident that they can give a good fight.
He said that Down Town FC from Cambodia will be an unknown entity as this is the first time they will be taking part while Myanmar Imperial University (formerly known as Myanmar Imperial College) will be a tough nut to crack.
“We have not managed to play any international friendlies but from what I have seen so far, I think that the players can cope with the demands of international Futsal,” added Mohd Sam.
“For us, we are just setting a modest target and that is to qualify for the semifinals. And to reach it, we have indent on the players to take both games against Down Town and also MIU seriously and not to take anything for granted.”
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