Clubs make things difficult, U22 Malaysia coach 'complains' before SEA Games 33

The U22 Malaysian team is at risk of not having the best squad to participate in the men's football event at the 33rd SEA Games because the clubs refuse to release their players.

Malaysia U22 team practices in preparation for SEA Games 33 - Photo: BERMUDA

Berita Harian (Malaysia) newspaper said that U22 Malaysia may be without 5-7 key players at SEA Games 33 because Malaysian clubs "refuse to sacrifice benefits".

FAM (Football Association of Malaysia) is negotiating but cannot force the clubs to release their players because SEA Games 33 is not part of FIFA's competition system.

Malaysia U22 coach Nafuzi Zain admitted he felt worried before the opening match against Laos U22 on December 6 because the squad situation was not very optimistic.

"As of now, seven players are definitely not available, but for Selangor players, there is a possibility that they will be able to play depending on the results of the discussion. We are still not sure about the other players," said Mr. Nafuzi Zain.

Coach Nafuzi Zain continued: "In the previous two tournaments (Southeast Asian U23 Championship and Asian U23 qualifiers - PV), Malaysia could not advance to the next round due to defeat in the opening match, and we certainly need the best players."

The players that Mr. Nafuzi Zain mentioned are Ubaidullah Shamsul Fazili, Fergus Tierney, Muhammad Abu Khalil, Haqimi Azim Rosli and Aliff Izwan Yuslan. These are all players who play in the Malaysian Premier League, have been named in the preliminary list and many of them are playing for the national team.

Coach Nafuzi Zain admitted that he still has many replacements, but the young players playing at the highest level of Malaysian football are mature, experienced and can help the team become stronger. Mr. Nafuzi Zain added that the U22 Malaysia team has gathered since November 26 in difficult conditions. However, the team is still optimistic and will try to achieve the best results possible.

At SEA Games 33, U22 Malaysia is in Group B with Vietnam and Laos. U22 Malaysia will meet Laos on December 6 and then face Vietnam on December 11.

HOAI DU

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/cac-clb-gay-kho-de-hlv-u22-malaysia-ke-kho-truoc-sea-games-33-2025120206235947.htm