Malaysia can make it to 2015 Asian Cup Finals, says coach

PETALING JAYA: Coach K. Rajagopal believes the national team will be ready to join the big boys of Asian football in four years’ time.

If everything goes according to plan, he expects Malaysia to qualify for the 2015 Asian Cup Finals in Australia.

Having tasted success with the Under-23 boys in the SEA Games in Vientiane (2009) and with the national team in the Suzuki Cup Asean Football Federation (AFF) Championships last year, Rajagopal feels that Malaysia can qualify on merit for Asia’s premier competition in 2015.

“It is a long process but I have confidence in these youngsters, who can be moulded into a bunch of fine players in years to come. I have seen junior players under me move up the ranks and getting into the national Under-19, Under-23 and senior squads,” said Rajagopal.

He added that the present national team, comprising mostly players from the victorious Laos SEA Games squad, would be matured enough to lead an assault for the Asian Cup in 2015.

“There is good pool of players who have come up from the Harimau Muda squad. They are skilful and well-built. In four years’ time, they will be around 26-27 years old and will be well-equipped for Asian level competition,” said Rajagopal, whose national team will play their first international match – since their Suzuki Cup success – against Hong Kong in a friendly at the Shah Alam Stadium today (8.45pm).

The national team are preparing for the pre-World Cup (qualifiers) scheduled for June.

Rajagopal has called up the cream of the crop from the Suzuki Cup squad as well as two players returning from long-term injuries – centreback Mohd Aidil Zafuan Abdul Razak and striker Ahmad Fakri Saarani.

Hotshot Mohd Safee Sali, who will be leaving to join Pelita Jaya FC (PJFC) in the Indonesian Super League (ISL) next month, is expected to start upfront with either Fakri or Mohd Ashaari Shamsuddin.

Khairul Fahmi Che Mat is likely to start in goal while Harimau Muda centrebacks – Muslim Ahmad and Mohd Fadhli Shas, who were outstanding in the Suzuki Cup – should get the nod in the starting line-up.

Safiq Rahim, Mohd Amirulhadi Zainal, S. Kunalan and Baddrol Bakhtiar should start in midfield.

Tickets for the friendly, priced at RM20, can be purchased at Wisma FAM in Kelana Jaya from 9am to 12 noon and at the Shah Alam Stadium from 4pm onwards.