Courtesy: Malay Mail


The Game's Going Pro

2008-04-22

THE much needed professional futsal league will kick-off this year with both the men's and women's categories.
The FA of Malaysia's futsal committee chairman Hamidin Mohd Amin said: "We are working on the sponsorship and it could happen in the next few months."

Sixteen to 18 teams representing each state including the Police and Army are expected to compete in the six-month long tournament.

"There are efforts by foreign teams, mainly from Thailand, to sign some of our senior players," said Hamidin.

"However, their commitment to the local league meant they had to reject the offers.

"The young ones do not have much experience so the local league is vital to upgrading their game."

The national training squad of 18 players are preparing for the AFC Futsal Championship in Bangkok from May 11-18.

"Unfortunately, this is not a professional sport in Malaysia and some of the experienced players who played in the Korat SEA Games and the KL World 5s won't be joining the team as they have taken too much leave from work," said Hamidin, who is also the national team manager.

"It is not easy for the players, so the futsal league is vital in ensuring a steady pool of national players."

Ranked 16 in Asia, Malaysia's target in Bangkok is to improve their ranking to 12th.

Malaysia are grouped with Uzbekistan, Korea Republic and Lebanon in Group C.

"The last time we played Lebanon, we lost 6-2 at last year's AFC Championship in Osaka, Japan," said Hamidin.

"We have yet to meet the Koreans and hopefully we are ready to play them and get a win to ensure we climb up the ranks," added Hamidin.


ASIAN CHAMPIONSHIP (MAY 11-18)

GROUP A:

Kyrgystan; Thailand; Iraq; Indonesia

GROUP B

Japan; Australia

Turkmenistan; Taiwan

GROUP C

Uzbekistan; Lebanon

S Korea ; Malaysia

GROUP D

Iran; Taijikistan

China; Kuwait

TEAM LIST
Squad: Addie Azwan Zainal, Aidil Ada Abdul Ghani, Mohd Feroz Abdul Karnim (KL), Devandran Subramaniam, Ruzaley Abdul Aziz, Saravanan Kumar Narayanan, Firdaus Razali (SEL), Meor Zaki Satmi (SAR), Mohd Fadhli Abdul Karnim, Mohd Hishamuddin Manjur Ahmad (TER), Muizzudin Mohd Haris, Zaidi Zulkahpri, Devanthiran Raman (PER), Safar Mohamad (SAB), Mohd Fuad Yusof, Ahmad Hanif Sarman (JOH), Ahmad Syafin Syukri and Zaidi Rami (ATM).

Manager: Hamidin Mohd Amin
Head Coach: P. Balakrishnan
Assistant coach: Maizal Hairi Marzuki
Physiotherapist: Mohd Nasrul Ahmad Tajuddin
Kitman: Ainul Firdaus Abdul Hafiz





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