Datuk Ong Kim Swee defended his choice of players ahead of the SEA Games next week saying that his decision was based on the need to have more utility players in the squad.
He said that with the short space of time that was afforded him towards preparing a s credible squad for the SEA Games in Singapore, he has had to leave out some players in preference for other.
“We do not have the luxury of time, so we have to make the decision to take only players who can play at several positions competently,” said Kim Swee.
“And since we are nowhere near the favourites tag, it has put less pressure on us. I believe that we have an evenly balanced squad.
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MALAYSIA
Mohd Farhan Abu Bakar, Mohd Firdaus Muhamad, Shahrul Mohd Saad, Muhammad Syazwan Tahudin, Mohamad Fandi Othman, Nazirul Naim Che Hashim, Muhammad Ariff Farhan Mohd Isa, Adam Nor Azlin, Mohamad Amer Saidin, Matthew Davies, D. Saarvindran, Nazmi Faiz Mansor, Saiful Ridzuwan Selamat, Gary Steven Robbat, Muhammad Nurridzuan Abdu Hassan Saari, Syahrul Azwari Ibrahim, Muhammad Faizat Mohamad Ghazali, Mohammad Amirul Hisyam Awang Kechik, Muhammad Syafiq Ahmad, S. Kumaahran
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GROUPINGS
Group A (Jalan Besar Stadium)
- Singapore
- Indonesia
- Myanmar
- Cambodia
- Philippines
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Group B (Bishan Stadium)
- Thailand
- Malaysia
- Vietnam
- Laos
- Brunei
- Timor Leste