Project 2013 in for rough ride

PROJECT 2013 will open accounts against defending champions Kuala Lumpur in the 47th Razak Cup on Thurs day at the Tun Razak Stadium in Kuala Lumpur.
The Project squad, being groomed for the 2013 Junior World Cup, did well in the National Under-23 where they won bronze, but the Razak Cup is another story.
And their coach, K. Dharmaraj, accepts the fact that winning even two matches in Division One will be difficult.
“I personally requested that my team plays in Division One so that they can learn from their seniors. It will be difficult for my boys to match experience, even though they have fitness on their side,” said Dharmaraj.
Kuala Lumpur have a well balanced team, and Project 2013’s opening encounter might turn into a bashing ex ercise.
“I have selected six fresh legs from states after the under- 23 tournament, but still, the majority of my players will be under-16, and I expect them to face a tough time but at the same time, it would be good to expose them early as our end target is still four years away.”
Kuala Lumpur will still rely on old hand, M. Nadarajan between the posts, and former national players Tajol Rosli, Fairuz Ramli, Faizal Daud and M. Kaliswaran
And their three young legs will be Junior World Cup players Harvinder Singh, R. Nadesh and Abdul Hakim.
The youngest player in the KL squad is 16-year-old Mohd Nor Akhmal Abdul Ghaffar.
The City side will also rely, for the first time, on a foreign coach in Dutchman Jaap Suyk.
This year, the Division One teams will play at the Tun Razak Stadium, while Division One will be held at the Kuala Lumpur HA Stadium.
Division One: Kuala Lumpur, Negri Sembilan, Perak, Malacca, Johor, Penang, Project 2013.
Division Two: Group A -- Armed Forces, Singapore, Police, Sabah, Brunei; Group B: Selangor, Perlis, Pahang, Kedah.
FIXTURES -- Thursday: Division One: Kuala lumpur v Project 2013 (Tun Razak, 3pm), Johor v Negri Sembilan (Tun Razak, 5pm), Perak v Malacca (Tun Razak, 7pm).
Division Two (Group A): Singapore v Brunei (KLHA, 7.30am), Police v Sabah (KLHA, 9am); Group B: Selangor v Pahang (KLHA, 3.30pm), Perlis v Kedah (KLHA, 5.30pm).