CRUCIAL OPENING CRUNCHER

It will be a cruncher of a match against Vietnam in the opening match of the SEA Games later this afternoon, but one which Malaysia need the points to make sure that they have an even chance into the next round.

Placed in Group B of the tournament this year, the Malaysian team will be up against Vietnam, Laos and Singapore.

Head coach B. Sathianathan who did not have the best of preparation for the SEA Games this year, said that it is crucial the team realised the importance of coming off with at least the one point against Vietnam.

“It is always important to do well in our first match of the tournament but for us, we need the points a lot more,” said Sathianathan.

“It is not that we are saying Laos and Singapore will be easy because we treat every one with respect but rather, we are looking at the points to put us in good stead.”

Whether Sathianathan has found the solution to start the game against Vietnam without inspirational defender Mohd Aidil Zafuan Abdul Razak remains to be seen where thus far, he is keeping mum over his preferred replacement at the heart of defence.

Aidil will be out of Malaysia’s first two matches at the SEA Games after collecting a red card in a recent World Cup qualifying match against Bahrain.

After the game against Vietnam, Malaysia will take on Laos on 3rd Dec before completing their fixtures against Singapore on 8th Dec.

GROUP A: Thailand, Indonesia, Myanmar, Cambodia

GROUP B: Vietnam, Malaysia, Laos, Singapore

MALAYSIA NATIONAL UNDER-23

Saramsak Kram, Khyril Muhymeen Zambri, Bunyamin Omar (KEDAH); Chun Ken Hong (PULAU PINANG); Mohd Safee Mohd Sali, Safiq Rahim, Amirulhadi Zainal Nordin (SELANGOR); Syed Adney Syed Hussein, Norsharul Talaha (MyTEAM); Mohamad Zaquan Adha Abdul Razak, Mohamad Aidil Zafuan Abdul Razak, Mohd Syamsol Sabtu, Tengku Qayyum Ubaidullah, Shahurain Abu Samah (NEGERI SEMBILAN); S. Subramaniam (PERAK); Azi Sharil (PERLIS); Norfarhan Mohamad (TERENGGANU); Mohd Daudsu Jamaluddin, Sumardi Hajalan (JOHOR FC); Farizal Marlias (SHAHZAN MUDA).

Source: FAM