Courtesy: Emedia.com

Lula promises a decent show

by: Rizal Hashim

EIGHT newcomers have been included in coach Lula's plans as he bids to form a decent Malaysian futsal side for the World Championship Asian qualifiers in Macau on April 16-25.

Of the 20 called up for training, Ahmad Rizal Abdul Rahim, Hairul Anuar Othman, Muhammad Fadhil Yusoff, Mohd Ruzaley Abdul Aziz, Mohd Sufian Yatim, Mohd Zaki Tompang, Mohd Zary Affendi Mohd Arif and Nik Mohd Azrizan Idris are first-timers.

Lula whose real name is Silvio Machado, has retained 12 players who took part in the Asian Championships in Iran last year.

They are Addie Azwan Zainal, Faizul Gaffar, J. Arasan, Chiew Chun Yong, V. Morgan, Jamhuri Zainuddin, Zainodin Kasmidim, Mohd Saiful Mohd Noor, Jerry Dinesh Pireira, Faris Ahmad, Feroz Abdul Karnim and Zaidi Ramli.

Malaysia are in Group D with Asean kingpins Thailand, Guam and China for the tournament which doubles up as the 6th Asian Championship. The tournament will be held at the Pavilhao Polidesportivo Stadium.

The top two teams from each group will advance to the quarter-finals.

Lula, assisted by P. Balakrishnan, was optimistic of a favourable outcome in Macau.

"We have been training hard for some time. I don't want to raise our hopes but am confident we have what it takes to challenge for the top spot in the group.

"The Thais start as favourites but whenever we played them, we managed to give them a fight.

"Of course in terms of technique and teamwork, we may still find ourselves outclassed by the Thais.

"China are not to be underestimated. They have a strong and respectable side in the 11-a-side version and I expect them to have a strong futsal team as well," said Lula.

After the Macau trip, the team will have another international tournament to look forward to, the KL World 5s in June.