Experienced forward Mohd Safee Sali has reclaimed his place in the national football team, with interim coach Ong Kim Swee believing that the Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) striker will be able to add extra power to the Malayan Tigers’ attack.
Safee, 33, is among 23 players called upon by the national team to begin their preparations starting this Sunday ahead of their friendly match against Laos in Bangkok on October 8, and the fifth match of 2018 World Cup/2019 Asian Cup Group A qualifying match against Timor Leste in Dili on October 13.
8 new players have been added along side Safee, including Terengganu’s Zubir Azmi and Ismail Faruqi Ashari, goalkeeper Izham Tarmizi Roslan, Aidil Zafuan Abd Radzak from JDT, Shahrul Saad, Christie Jayaseelan from FELDA United and Hafiz Kamal from Pahang.
Kim Swee, however, had to set aside two players who were in the mix before he took over, with Razman Roslan (Pahang) and Junior Eldstal (JDT) being injured.
“It’s definitely tough to narrow down 23 players but I believe the inclusion of new players and the Under-23 squad players will strengthen the team.”
“For me, these are the best players to face Timor Leste,” he told Arena Metro.
All players, except for JDT and Perak, were asked to report themselves on Monday before they leave to face Laos on 8th of October.
“The Laos match needed to be taken seriously because it involves a ranking position. What’s more important here is I need to see the understanding between players on the strategies that has been given to them.”
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