'JDT four' should return to national squad
Published on: Friday, September 09, 2016
Kuala Lumpur: Several former national players are of the opinion that the four Johor Darul Ta'zim players who recently retired from the Harimau Malaysia squad should return to add some experience to the team. Former national footballer in the 70s, Khalid Ali stressed that Aidil Zafuan Abdul Razak, Safiq Rahim, Mohd Amirulhadi Zainal and S. Kunanlan were still fit to represent the national squad."For me, the services of these four players are still needed, as with their extensive experience at the international level, they would at the very least be able to guide the younger players who have no experience...especially during the AFF Suzuki Cup at the end of the year," he said, Thursday.ADVERTISEMENT Sharing the same view is former 80s player Mohd Azuan Zain who acknowledged that the absence of Safiq and Kunanlan in midfield clearly showed the squad's weakness in the area in its 0-3 loss to Indonesia in a friendly at the Manahan Stadium in Solo, Indonesia, on Tuesday.Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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"I think Datuk Ong (Ong Kim Swee) needs to bring back the four players to the national team," said the 56-year-old coach who has trained several local teams such as UiTM FC and Johor FC.The four national players announced their retirement from international football in July, claiming they wanted to give a chance to younger players to don the shirt. – Bernama