This excerpt are from THE STAR
"By ERIC SAMUEL
PETALING JAYA: Malaysia will be hard pressed to get a podium finish in the Asean Football Federation (AFF) Under-20 championship in Vietnam from Aug 1-14.
Coach K. Rajagopal said it would be tough for his young charges with an average age of 18 to repeat the same feat when they finished runners-up to Myanmar in Palembang, Indonesia two years ago.
“It is a different set of players altogether and we cannot expect the same kind of results,” said a concerned Rajagopal yesterday.
He said the present team lacked international exposure. There are only a handful of experienced hands left in the squad led by midfielder's K. Gurusamy, Abdul Shukur Yusuf and striker Ahmad Fakri Saarani.
“These boys have not been playing international matches on a regular basis. We have to be realistic on that aspect even though personally the team have a lot of potential,” said Rajagopal of the team, which only featured at the Hassanal Bolkiah Tournament in Bandar Seri Begawan in February.
However, Rajagopal will be counting on the experience of the trio to provide guidance for the other players. The three had been regulars under Rajagopal and had also featured in his plans in last year’s AFC Under-20 Championship in India.
Malaysia have been drawn in Group A with Singapore, Laos, Myanmar and Brunei while the teams in Group B are Cambodia, Vietnam, Indonesia, Thailand and the Philippines.
“Despite of what has been said about Malaysian football of late, our hope is still on the young ones. They are still eager to play for Malaysia and we should not destroy their hopes and dreams,” added Rajagopal, whose team will open their campaign against Singapore on Aug 1. "
Are'nt We Have To Be Positive and Confident at least For The Boys ?
"By ERIC SAMUEL
PETALING JAYA: Malaysia will be hard pressed to get a podium finish in the Asean Football Federation (AFF) Under-20 championship in Vietnam from Aug 1-14.
Coach K. Rajagopal said it would be tough for his young charges with an average age of 18 to repeat the same feat when they finished runners-up to Myanmar in Palembang, Indonesia two years ago.
“It is a different set of players altogether and we cannot expect the same kind of results,” said a concerned Rajagopal yesterday.
He said the present team lacked international exposure. There are only a handful of experienced hands left in the squad led by midfielder's K. Gurusamy, Abdul Shukur Yusuf and striker Ahmad Fakri Saarani.
“These boys have not been playing international matches on a regular basis. We have to be realistic on that aspect even though personally the team have a lot of potential,” said Rajagopal of the team, which only featured at the Hassanal Bolkiah Tournament in Bandar Seri Begawan in February.
However, Rajagopal will be counting on the experience of the trio to provide guidance for the other players. The three had been regulars under Rajagopal and had also featured in his plans in last year’s AFC Under-20 Championship in India.
Malaysia have been drawn in Group A with Singapore, Laos, Myanmar and Brunei while the teams in Group B are Cambodia, Vietnam, Indonesia, Thailand and the Philippines.
“Despite of what has been said about Malaysian football of late, our hope is still on the young ones. They are still eager to play for Malaysia and we should not destroy their hopes and dreams,” added Rajagopal, whose team will open their campaign against Singapore on Aug 1. "
Are'nt We Have To Be Positive and Confident at least For The Boys ?
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