'US-based Kuzri must prove his ability first for U-18 M'sia squad'
Published on: Saturday, June 06, 2020
By: Bernama
Wan Kuzri is close to joining the national Under-18 squad.
Kuala Lumpur: Many questions still abound over the involvement of United States-based youngster Wan Kuzri Wan Kamal’s involvement with the national Under-18 squad, said Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) secretary-general Stuart Ramalingam.He said FAM was doing its best to bring home the 18-year-old Wan Kuzri to see whether he has the potential to link up with coach Brad Maloney’s team, which is preparing for the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Under-19 Championship in Uzbekistan in October.
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Stuart said on Friday that among the problems faced were whether Wan Kuzri would be allowed to leave the United States or be barred from entering Malaysia and also if there would be a need for the midfielder to undergo mandatory quarantine if allowed to join the national Under-18 squad’s training camp.
Wan Kuzri’s presence is expected to boost the Under-18 squad’s chances of qualifying for the 2021 Fifa Under-20 World Cup in Indonesia.
Wan Kuzri, who is the younger brother of national ace Wan Kuzain, who plays for Sporting Kansas City in the Major League Soccer in the United States.
But Stuart admitted that Wan Kuzri would first need to prove his ability to the national coaches.
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“We must call him up and give him a tryout rather than just (select him based on) who his brother is. We have never seen him play except from video clips, but on video everyone will seem like (Portuguese and Juventus ace) Cristiano Ronaldo,” said Stuart.Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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The AFC Under-19 Championship is the qualifier for the 2021 Fifa Under-20 World Cup in Indonesia and the national Under-18 squad hopes to be the first Malaysian side to qualify on merit and perform on the world stage.
