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By Y.P. Sivam
Photos by Darran Tan
National Under-14 football coach Aminuddin Hussin has reasons to be happy with his players in the four- team invitational football competition at the National Sports Council (NSC) Training Centre in Bukit Jalil recently.
After the preliminary round, Malaysia A and Malaysia B qualified for the final.
Malaysia A proved that they were a superior team when they defeated their counterparts 3-0 in the match.
The other two teams involved in the competition were Jordan and Singapore.
Malaysia A's goals were scored by Mohd Akmal, Mohamed Hafiz Mohamed Johar and Awang Azizan Awang Sophian.
Aminuddin said he was satisfied with the Malaysian players' domination in the competition.
"I had expected Jordan to provide some stiff competition. Unfortunately Jordan could not match our players. But the competition has provided me opportunities to evaluate the players.
Fast-paced: Malaysia A's Nik Syafiq Syazwan (left) taking a shot at scoring a goal |
"The players showed commitment and adapted well to each others' game. They were together for only about two weeks," said Aminuddin.
A total of 42 players, including 19 identified during this year's Education Minister's Football League, had trained for the competition.
Aminuddin and his assistants - Richard Scully and Sivam Manickam - are expected to trim the training squad to 30.
The squad will resume training and Aminuddin is keen to see the players in action against local teams.
"I would like to assess the players' abilities again before finalising the squad to 25 players who will be studying at the Bukit Jalil Sports School.
"We have not lined up any international friendlies but the players will get enough opportunities to impress the coaches when playing against local teams," added Aminuddin.
Top picture: No way: Malaysia B goalkeeper Ahmad Saiful Muori Mohd Sabri foiling the opponent's attempt to score a goal.
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