PETALING JAYA: Malaysia will have to brace themselves for the worst when they wrap up their Group A fixture in the Inter-Continental Cup Under-23 football tournament against classy Nigeria at the MBPJ Stadium in Kelana Jaya tonight.
The Nigerian’s preparing for the Beijing Olympics in August have not come with their full team but still stamped their authority when they tamed gritty Ireland 3-1 in their opening game on Saturday.
Malaysia will face their biggest test in the tournament after having gone down 1-3 to the Irish Under-21 side in their opening game on Thursday and snatching a narrow 1-0 win over Iraq on Saturday.
National coach B. Sathianathan said that his players would have their hands full to contain the skilful Nigerians.
“I saw them play (against Ireland) and they are a very, very good team even without their best players,” he said.
“If there is one thing that impresses me most about the Nigerians, it is their composure on the ball. They are a delight to watch.”
Sathianathan wants his men to rise to the occasion and show what they are made up.
“This game will show me the real character of my players. How they are going to handle themselves against classy opponents? We have no star players and games like this would mould them into better players,” he said.
National striker Mohd Safee Sali, who has two goals in two matches, is their best hope upfront. The other attacking players include Mohd Zaquan Adha Abdul Razak, Amirulhadi Zainal and Mohd Khyril Muhymeen.
The biggest test will be for skipper Mohd Shukor Adan and company in the engine room is to stop the Nigerians dictating terms.
“If we are to match the Nigerians we should not give away balls,” said Mohd Shukor.
The Nigerians will be counting on their front-runners – Ani Jeremiah, Okorowanta Bernard and Okoro Moses.
The passage to the semi-finals will depend on the Ireland and Iraq match played simultaneously. Nigeria will play their last game against Iraq on Wednesday.
Article source:
