THE improving performances of young centre-backs Muslim Ahmad and Fadhli Shas in the AFF Suzuki Cup have not come as a surprise to Young Tigers coach Ong Kim Swee.
The two players are the youngest defensive combination in the tournament and both have impressed as their steady performances at the back helped Malaysia into the final for the first time in 14 years.
National youth coach Kim Swee has overseen their development at Under-17, Under-19 and Under-21 levels and believes their international exposure under national coach K. Rajagobal will benefit the national team in the long run.
"I'm not surprised as they have been playing together for some time and are exposed to international matches at age-group level.
"The stints in Slovakia have also helped them and given them the chance to break into the national team. I must say Raja made a daring decision to put two raw players into the first team, not many coaches would have done that.
"Fadhli especially, since he is only 19, but I have worked with him since he joined us from Bukit Jalil Sports School at 17 and Muslim too has been knocking on the door for some time.
"What they need to do now is to be consistent in their performances and they will improve over time," said Kim Swee yesterday.
Fadhli made his first senior international start in the calamitous 5-1 defeat to Indonesia in the opening group match but has grown in stature since then playing alongside the 21-year-old Muslim.
"Muslim and Fadhli can go on to be our main centre-backs just as how Santokh (Singh) and (Datuk) Soh Chin Aun used to be (in the 1970s and early 1980s).
"They can be role models not just to their teammates (in the Olympic squad) but also to other players. There are three players who are capable of taking the places (of the legends)," added Kim Swee, who also included reserve centre-back Faizal Muhammad in his assessment.
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