MALAYSIA Under-23 coach Datuk Ong Kim Swee is close to finalising his 20-player football squad for the Myanmar SEA Games.
The former international has two more warm-up matches lined up — against Johor Darul Ta’zim II in Larkin on Friday and the visiting Japanese Third Division side FC Ryukyu at the MBPJ Stadium on Dec 4 — before making the call.
The former international has two more warm-up matches lined up — against Johor Darul Ta’zim II in Larkin on Friday and the visiting Japanese Third Division side FC Ryukyu at the MBPJ Stadium on Dec 4 — before making the call.
“I’m going to have a tough time trimming the training squad from 26 to 20,” said Kim Swee on Thursday.
For the SEA Games, defending champions Malaysia are in Group A with Vietnam, Singapore, Brunei and Laos. Group B comprises Indonesia, Thailand, Timor Leste, Cambodia and hosts Myanmar.
Kim Swee said that the two friendlies would be crucial to test the players.
“I will try out a couple of new combinations due to injuries to several key players. I want to see the best possible combinations before I decide on the final 20,” said Kim Swee, who has lost several stalwarts, including midfielder Junior Eldstal, who has been advised to take a three-month rest due to a back injury.
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