Courtesy: New Straits Times


Skipper Addie warns of emerging threat

18/2/2010

NATIONAL futsal captain Addie Azwan Zainal has warned his teammates not to take any team lightly in the AFC Futsal Qualifier which starts in Jakarta on Saturday.

According to Addie, several Southeast Asian countries are picking up the game fast and could surprise Malaysia, who have been drawn in Group B with Vietnam, Cambodia and the Philippines. Australia, Indonesia and Myanmar make up Group A.

The team leave for Jakarta today.

"We could lose our status as the second best team in Southeast Asia behind Thailand soon. Vietnam and Indonesia are improving fast with the latter having beaten us once last year. The gap is reducing and it could spell trouble for us," said Addie yesterday.

"Vietnam and Indonesia have both hired foreign coaches, who in turn have picked new players. We cannot take them lightly."

Addie, who has represented the national futsal team since 2002, is, however, confident that Malaysia will secure one of the three qualifying berths for the AFC Futsal final round in Uzbekistan in May.

"Our main group match is against Vietnam and if we beat them, we should top the group as Cambodia and the Philippines are no match for us. It will be a tricky affair in the semi-finals as we will face either Indonesia or Australia," he added.

"We were beaten 7-0 by Australia in a tournament in Kuala Lumpur three years ago while we lost 6-4 to Indonesia in last year's AFF Futsal tournament."

Meanwhile, FA of Malaysia (FAM) futsal and beach football committee head Datuk Hamidin Mohd Amin said the team should be able to qualify for the final round in Uzebekistan.

"We have never failed, except once, to qualify for the AFC Futsal final round since 1999. However, it is important that the players remain focused." said Hamidin.

Hamidin confirmed that the committee is in the midst of engaging a foreigner to coach the futsal team.

FIXTURES - Saturday: Malaysia v Philippines; Sunday: Malaysia v Cambodia; Monday: Malaysia v Vietnam.


Posted by Luca Ranocchiari --> luca.ranocchiari@futsalplanet.com