New boss Dollah picks first Malaysia squad

21 Julai, 2014


Dollah Salleh, the new coach of 2010 AFF Suzuki Cup champions Malaysia, has named a largely tried and tested squad of players for next month’s friendly with Tajikistan.

The away match on August 8 is the first of three organised by Malaysia in preparation for the AFF Suzuki Cup which kicks off on November 22.

Malaysia, semi-finalists two years ago, will also play home games against Jordan on October 11 and New Zealand on November 18.

Dollah, the former manager of Selangor, Pahang and, latterly, PDRM, was appointed coach last month and the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) has set him the target of guiding the Harimau Malaya to the final of the AFF Suzuki Cup.

With little time to run the rule over players ahead of his first game in charge, Dollah has picked a 23-man training squad featuring many of the country’s star names.

Eight players come from recently crowned Malaysia Super League champions Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT), including the strike partnership of Safee Sali, top scorer with five goals in the 2010 AFF Suzuki Cup, and Norshahrul Idlan Talaha, despite neither hitting top form this season.

Dollah, a former striker of repute, has said that he will scout for fresh talent for the national team during the upcoming Malaysia Cup.

Malaysia training squad:

Goalkeepers: Khairul Fahmi (Kelantan), Farizal Marlias (Selangor) and Khairul Azhan Khalid (Pahang)

Defenders: Fadhli Shas, Mahalli Jasuli, Asraruddin Putra Omar, Aidil Zafuan (all JDT), Muslim Ahmad (PDRM), Bunyamin Umar (Selangor) and Zubir Azmi (Terengganu).

Midfielders: Amri Yahyah, Safiq Rahim (both JDT), R. Gopinathan, Azamuddin Akil, Hafiz Kamal (all Pahang), Badhri Radzi (Kelantan), S. Kunanlan (Selangor), S. Chanturu (Sarawak) and Baddrol Bakhtiar (Kedah)

Forwards: Safee Sali, Norshahrul Idlan Talaha (both JDT), Ahmad Fakri Saarani (Kelantan) and Norfarhan Muhammad (Terengganu)

Original source - www.affsuzukicup.com