The Malaysian team in training in preparation for their opening match against Pakistan.NATIONAL skipper Madzli Ikmar has the distinction of playing in 10 Azlan Shah Cup tournaments, and the Kuala Pilah-born defender feels Malaysia will make an impact starting with the match against Pakistan today.
The national side saw only four changes from the team which reached the final of the World Cup Qualifier in Invercargill, while many of the other teams have a total make-up.
And with the core players still with him, Madzli said: “We have a good mix comprising youth and experience. And I expect my teammates to give their best and play as a unit, as we were the runners-up last year,” said Madzli, capped 265 times.
The missing four are Kelvinder Singh, Jiwa Mohan and Ahmad Kazamirul and S. Selvaraju, who is playing in the French League.
Junior World Cup players Azreen Rizal and Izwan Firdaus will make their senior side debuts, while Tajol Rosli and Hafifihafiz Hanafi will be making a return after a few years in the wilderness.
The set-back for this side is that after playing in the Qualifier last November, they have only been training and playing in local tournaments.
“Even then, this should not be made into an excuse, and I am optimistic about our chances as many other teams are also trying out new players,” said Madzli.
Pakistan have 12 players who played in the Malaysia-Singapore Junior World Cup last year.
But Pakistan coach K.M. Junaid is not worried, as he was also the Junior World Cup coach where his team finished fifth.
“I did not have enough time to prepare the team, but will not use that as an excuse to flop. We have youth on our side and they have much to prove so this outing, in a way, will prepare them for what to expect at the higher level.”
Pakistan are in transition after finishing last in the New Delhi World Cup.
