SECURING U-23 PLAYERS' RELEASE FOR SEA GAMES DUTY A CHALLENGE - NAFUZI

SHAH ALAM, Dec 1 (Bernama) -- The process of securing the release of Under-23 (U-23) football players from their clubs to play for the national squad for the 2025 South East Asian (SEA) Games have hit a snag as seven players might not be released, national U-23 football squad coach Nafuzi Zain said.

He admitted the situation was worrisome as he felt that a victory in the opening match against Laos this Saturday (Dec 6) was necessary based on their recent failures in the ASEAN Cup and Asian Cup qualifiers.

“So far seven (players) are confirmed (to not be released) but a Selangor player (might be released based on) discussions but we’re not sure about the others.

“We failed in the previous two championships due to first game losses and we should have our best players. We know this isn’t in the FIFA calendar and clubs have the right not to release players but hopefully they’ll consider releasing for this game,” he told reporters at the U-23 squad training session at the Sime Darby Training Field, Bukit Jelutong here today.

Even though there were other players, those who play in the Super League have the maturity and experience to help the squad in vital moments, he said, adding that the national U-23 squad that have been in central training since Nov 25 was lacking but committed to facing any challenges ahead.

“In terms of preparation, we train even with the lack of players. We really lack players and maybe there will be some who will join the training after finishing their games with the states, with clubs, after that they’ll rejoin,” Nafuzi said.

Meanwhile, national defender Ahmad Aysar Hadi Mohd Shapri expressed hope that there would be a miracle for the national squad at the biennial Games this year.

“We can’t take things easy and have learned many things in terms of playing as a team. We do know that small matters have a bigger impact on us as a team.

“So for this SEA Games, we know how it went with previous championships and we will do our best at the Games,” he added.

The U-23 squad has been drawn into Group B and will take on Laos on Dec 6 and Vietnam on Dec 11 at Rajamangala Stadium, Bangkok, with only the Group champions and the best second-placed team qualifying for the semifinals.

The last time Malaysia won the gold medal for football in the SEA Games was in 2011 in Jakarta, Indonesia.

-- BERNAMA