KUALA LUMPUR: For the four Under-19 footballers who made the quantum leap to the Malaysian team for the Asian Under-23 championship in China, it does not mean they can take their feet off the accelerator.
The four players are Hadi Fayyadh Abdul Razak, Akhyar Rashid, Nik Akif Syahiran Nik Mat and Shivan Pillay Asokan.
National Under-19 coach, Bojan Hodak said their selection does not mean they have reached the top of their game.
“I am happy they have been listed for the final 23-player list. Their selection shows that their performance is on the rise.
“However, they can’t celebrate just yet as they need to continue to work hard,” he said.
The Malaysian Under-23 squad will face their Syrian counterparts on Friday in their final friendly match before the Asian Under-23 tournament starts with the first match against Iraq on Jan 10 followed by Jordan (Jan 13) and Saudi Arabia (Jan 16).
For Hodak, their selection also augurs well for the National Under-19 squad who will be competing in the Asian Under-19 competition in Indonesia from Oct 18-Nov 4.
