It was a “good start” for national football chief coach Tan Cheng Hoe when 20 players of the 26 players reported for the first phase of training on Wednesday for Malaysia’s AFF Suzuki Cup campaign.
The attendance can be described as “rare” compared to previous call-ups when Cheng Hoe had to deal with absenteeism because of injuries, personal matters or players not released by their state or clubs.
However, six players did not report for duty on Wednesday as they have been permitted to report later.
The six include five players from Perak who will play in this Saturday’s Malaysia Cup final against Terengganu at the Shah Alam Stadium. They will report on Monday (Oct 29).
The five are goalkeeper Hafizul Hakim Khairul Nizam Jothy, midfielder Kenny Pallraj and defenders Shahrul Saad, Amirul Azhan Aznan and Nazirul Naim Che Hashim.
Another player who will report later is Kedah striker Akhyar Rashid who is currently with the National Under-19 team playing in the AFC Under-19 Championships in Bekasi, Indonesia.
“Of course I am happy and pleased with the good turnout. This is a good start to our preparations. In the past I never had such good attendance,” said a delighted Cheng Hoe from Nilai.
Today’s training at the University Sains Islam Malaysia in Nilai was restricted to light workouts before the full training sessions begin at the same place tomorrow (Thursday).
The national squad will also train at the Semarak Felda Institute in Bangi (artificial turf).
Cheng Hoe will name Malaysia’s final squad of 23 players for the AFF Suzuki Cup after the international A friendly against the Maldives at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil on Nov 3.
In the AFF Suzuki Cup which begins on Nov 8, Malaysia is drawn in Group A with Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, and Myanmar.
Malaysia won their only AFF Suzuki Cup in 2010 under coach Datuk K. Rajagobal while Cheng Hoe was the assistant coach. – BY RIZAL ABDULLAH
