Saturday September 15, 2007
By ERIC SAMUEL
PETALING JAYA: The FA of Malaysia (FAM) are planning to revive the “back-up squad” for the national team.
Newly appointed national coach B. Sathianathan said it was time to re-introduce the “B” team, which was first initiated in the 70’s.
“We badly need a platform for the back-up squad players before they get to graduate into the senior team,” said Sathianathan yesterday.
He said the decision to bring back the “B” team was needed to ensure a continuous flow of promising players to be picked for the senior team.
“We will need to have a new set of coaching staff for the back-up squad as well. They will also have their own calendar of events, preparation matches and tournaments to provide them with the right kind of exposure before they gradually gain their place into the senior team,” said Sathianathan yesterday.
At present, the national Under-23 squad preparing for the Korat SEA Games in December has become the core of the new-look national team. This is following their success in winning the Merdeka tournament last month.
Sathianathan said the Malaysian boys are generally late bloomers and they need a proper avenue like the back-up squad to build them up for the future.
“By having the senior and back-up squad we will have a bigger pool of players.
“We can keep tabs on their progress and also to keep the senior team players on their toes,” said Sathianathan, who was also a former national “B” team player in the 70’s. Then, Sathianathan was under the guidance of M. Chandran and Abdul Rahman Ibrahim.
The national Under-23 squad, which will form the core of the new national team have four senior players for the World Cup qualifiers. After that, the Under-23 squad will get cracking for the SEA Games in Korat where they aim to win a gold medal. Malaysia last won the gold in 1989.
Sathianathan said the back-up squad is expected to take shape by this year.
“I will oversee both the senior and back-up squads because I need to synchronise the coaching methods,” said Sathianathan.
He said the other youth teams from the national Under-21 and below age groups would be under the charge of K. Rajagopal and his coaching staff.
“We will all work as a team for a common goal,” said Sathianathan.
The national team will report for centralised training at the Wisma FAM in Kelana Jaya on Monday.
Malaysia will open their pre-World Cup campaign against Bahrain away on Oct 21 before playing the return leg at home on Oct 28.
Source : STARonline
By ERIC SAMUEL
PETALING JAYA: The FA of Malaysia (FAM) are planning to revive the “back-up squad” for the national team.
Newly appointed national coach B. Sathianathan said it was time to re-introduce the “B” team, which was first initiated in the 70’s.
“We badly need a platform for the back-up squad players before they get to graduate into the senior team,” said Sathianathan yesterday.
He said the decision to bring back the “B” team was needed to ensure a continuous flow of promising players to be picked for the senior team.
“We will need to have a new set of coaching staff for the back-up squad as well. They will also have their own calendar of events, preparation matches and tournaments to provide them with the right kind of exposure before they gradually gain their place into the senior team,” said Sathianathan yesterday.
At present, the national Under-23 squad preparing for the Korat SEA Games in December has become the core of the new-look national team. This is following their success in winning the Merdeka tournament last month.
Sathianathan said the Malaysian boys are generally late bloomers and they need a proper avenue like the back-up squad to build them up for the future.
“By having the senior and back-up squad we will have a bigger pool of players.
“We can keep tabs on their progress and also to keep the senior team players on their toes,” said Sathianathan, who was also a former national “B” team player in the 70’s. Then, Sathianathan was under the guidance of M. Chandran and Abdul Rahman Ibrahim.
The national Under-23 squad, which will form the core of the new national team have four senior players for the World Cup qualifiers. After that, the Under-23 squad will get cracking for the SEA Games in Korat where they aim to win a gold medal. Malaysia last won the gold in 1989.
Sathianathan said the back-up squad is expected to take shape by this year.
“I will oversee both the senior and back-up squads because I need to synchronise the coaching methods,” said Sathianathan.
He said the other youth teams from the national Under-21 and below age groups would be under the charge of K. Rajagopal and his coaching staff.
“We will all work as a team for a common goal,” said Sathianathan.
The national team will report for centralised training at the Wisma FAM in Kelana Jaya on Monday.
Malaysia will open their pre-World Cup campaign against Bahrain away on Oct 21 before playing the return leg at home on Oct 28.
Source : STARonline
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