PETALING JAYA, Nov 13 — The national football team is looking to boost its morale and get into a winning momentum during the friendly match against Papua New Guinea (PNG) tomorrow, ahead of the AFF Suzuki Cup 2016.

Harimau Malaysia head coach Datuk Ong Kim Swee who received criticism from supporters following the squad’s poor performance since the beginning of the year, wants to see his players exhibit a more cohesive and well controlled performance during the match at the Shah Alam Stadium tomorrow afternoon.

"I do not care about the criticism because for me, genuine supporters are those who remain steadfast behind the team even during a loss. If they want to criticise, they can criticise me after the AFF Cup... I am ready to accept any criticism for the good of football in the country.

"The match against PNG will not be easy... my objective is to see more organised movements, not only in attack but we need to be more disciplined and organised when defending, as well. I have to address and fix our weaknesses before next Sunday’s game against Cambodia,” he told a press conference after a meeting at Wisma FAM here today.

The coach from Malacca also does not intend to call up additional players to the 25-man squad following an injury to defender Ahmad Khuzaimi Pee.

"He (Ahmad Khuzaimi) is not in the starting list against PNG, and going for a scan tomorrow... we can decide on him after receiving his medical report. I cannot call anyone to replace him now because most of the teams are having an off-season now and if I call anyone, I have to see the player’s fitness level and match fitness.

"I cannot pick someone just to fill up the gap, I must pick someone who can contribute. I believe that the current 24 players in the squad are capable of filling the position,” he said.

After a loss and three draws in their last four internationals and a slim 4-3 victory over the Under-22 national team in a warm-up match two days ago, Harimau Malaysia desperately need a win to regain confidence.

The final list of 23 players for the AFF Suzuki Cup in Myanmar will be announced on Tuesday, after taking into account the performances of the players in the match against PNG tomorrow.

Malaysia, who have been drawn in Group B will open their campaign against Cambodia, before playing Vietnam (November 23) and hosts Myanmar (November 26), and they need a top-two finish to advance to the semi-finals.

Meanwhile, PNG coach Flemming Serritslev who is expecting a tough challenge from Malaysia, has set high expectations on striker Tommy Semmy, who scored both goals when beating Malaysia 2-0 during the Oceania Tour in June.

The island nation which had not played any competitive match after defeating Malaysia five months ago, felt the heat when they were thrashed 1-8 by Iran, three days ago.

"Our team might not be in the same physical state like what we were in the first match, but we hope to beat Malaysia again, and we know that Malaysia will do everything to get revenge after losing the first game,” he said.

For the record, Malaysia had beaten PNG 10-1 in a friendly match in 1976, and 5-1 in 1984, before losing in their third meet in June this year. — Bernama