SHAH ALAM, June 30 — National football coach Nelo Vingada is in “search mode” for more potential players for the national squad.
The 64 year-old Portuguese, nicknamed “The Professor”, said he is excited by the prospect of observing players in the Premier League which resumes today and the Super League which restarts on Saturday after the Ramadan break.
“Now I have more time to observe players. I even went to Malacca to watch the national Under-22 friendlies against Melaka United before Hari Raya to search for potential new faces,” said Vingada.
“Based on the game (against Melaka United), I can see four to five potentials in the Under-22 squad for the future,” said the Portuguese who was appointed national coach on May 25.
Vingada said he has now a better idea of which players Malaysia need in the national squad.
“In this next 40 days to the match against Hong Kong (for the 2019 Asian Cup qualifying), my main idea is to check on the players in the Malaysian league,” he said.
However, when asked on the possibility of reshuffling Malaysia’s line-up against Hong Kong in September, Vingada admitted he might make changes.
“We have a good base to form a stronger team. We might change a few players but the core of the team will be maintained. Some players are affected down with injuries,” he said.
Vingada said Malaysia must win the next game.
“We need to improve the team, especially the physical level. All I know is we need to win and that’s what matters,” he added.
Malaysia lost 2-1 to Lebanon on June 13.
Malaysia’s first match in the Asian Cup qualifiers was supposed to be against North Korea but it was postponed twice (June 8 and June 28). It is now rescheduled for October 5.
Malaysia will play Hong Kong at Larkin Stadium on September 5.
