PETALING JAYA, May 24 — The friendly match against Myanmar outside home turf on May 27 is the best platform to evaluate Harimau Malaysia’s preparation for the face off against Timor Leste in the Playoff 1 for the 2019 AFC Asian Cup early next month. 

Malaysia will face off against Timor Leste on June 2 and 7 at the Tan Sri Hassan Yunos Stadium in Larkin. 

“The friendly match against Myanmar is a test for us to formulate the best strategy before playing against Timor Leste,” Harimau Malaysia head coach Datuk Ong Kim Swee told reporters when met on the first day of the national squad’s training at Wisma FAM in Kelana Jaya, here today. 

Meanwhile, Kim Swee said Selangor winger R.Gopinathan and Pahang defender Matthew Davies reported to him for the training with back and leg injuries, but none were serious. 

“I will evaluate the doctor’s report on their injuries until tomorrow. If they are not fully recovered, I will make the changes and choose other players from the waiting or non-waiting list to replace them,” he said. 

Meanwhile, Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM) midfielder Abdul Latiff Suhaimi who was called for the national centralised training for the first time, vowed to make it to the main team despite tough competition given by other midfielders.

“For me, I have yet to be able show my true potential with PDRM and I hope that Datuk Ong (Kim Swee) can help me do so and improve my weaknesses,” he said.

Selangor striker Ahmad Hazwan Bakri, on the other hand, is hoping to bounce back to the peak of his performance after struggling with injuries.

“I was not able to shine before due to my injuries, I hope to find my magic touch back after being called to attend the centralised training.

“I don’t have any personal target, but I do hope to help improve the image of the national football squad by winning future matches,” he said. — Bernama