Courtesy: The star

FAM expect full turnout for national futsal meet

PETALING JAYA: The FA of Malaysia (FAM) are expecting a full turnout from their 14 affiliates for the fourth national futsal championship, which will be held at the Sports Planet Stadium in Ampang, Kuala Lumpur, from Dec 19-23.

The officer-in-charge of futsal in the FAM, Jeysing Muthiah, said that besides promoting the game, the tournament would be used to pick players for the national team.

“We have never had a full turnout of teams for the previous national championship. We hope to see Sabah, Sarawak, Kelantan and Terengganu fielding teams in the championship for the first time,” said Jeysing.

A record number of 20 teams are expected to take part and they include the FAM's associate members Armed Forces, Police, Government Services (Maksak), Universities (Masum), Teachers Training Colleges (BPG) and Malaysian Malays.

National coach Silvio Machado has the tasks to prepare a team for two main international championships next year – the Asean Football Federation's (AFF) and Asian Football Confederation's (AFC) tournaments.