PETALING JAYA (23 Oct 2018) – Malaysian head coach Tan Cheng Hoe has named a 26-player training squad for Malaysia’s AFF Suzuki Cup campaign – with the obvious absence of Pahang defender Matthew Davies.
Davies had to be left out due to a left knee injury after an MRI showed that he has a meniscus tear that will take some time for recovery.
“The squad may not please all but this is the best with youth and experience. We are in the process of building a strong team for the future and it starts with the Suzuki Cup,” said Cheng Hoe.
“Matthew is playing well and he could have made a difference to the team. But we have to move on. This is the best squad we have. It has depth and well balanced in all departments.”
However, Cheng Hoe has recalled another Pahang player Nor Azam Azih into the squad which will be pruned to 23 after Malaysia’s A international friendly against the Maldives on 3 November which will be played at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil.
For the AFF Suzuki Cup, Malaysia are in Group A against Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, and Myanmar.
THE SQUAD
Farizal Marlias, Aidil Zafuan Abdul Radzak, Adam Nor Azlin, Azrif Nasrulhaq, Syamer Kutty Abbas, Safawai Rasid, Ahmad hazwan Bakri, Syafiq Ahmad (all JDT); Hafizul Hakim Khairul Nizam, Shahrul Saad, Amirul Azhan Azuan, Nazirul Naim Che Hashim, Kenny Pallraj (all Perak); Akram Mahinan, Syzwan Zainon, Akhyar Rashid (all Kedah); Zaquan Adha Abdul Radzak, Syazwan Andik Ishak, Irfan Zakaria (all Kuala Lumpur); Nor Azam Azih, Mohamadou Sumareh, Norshahrul Idlan Talaha (all Pahang); Khairul Fahmi Che Mat (Melaka); Azizan Nordin (Sabah); Syahmi Safari (Selangor); Shahrel Fikri Fauzi (Nakhon Ratchasima).
