GEORGE TOWN: Selangor coach K Devan feels that the agreement between the Youth and Sports Ministry and FA of Malaysia for the national Under-23 players to be kept together has its pros and cons.
While welcoming the government’s interest in boosting the standard of the national team, Devan warned that the plan could backfire if not carried out carefully.
On Monday, the FAM agreed with the ministry’s idea to form a full-time national Under-23 squad and said that they would buy out the contracts of the players with their state or club sides.
Despite standing to lose key players like Shafiq Rahim, Farderin Kadir and Amirulhadi Zainal from the Selangor side if the plan was carried out, Devan lent his full support to the initiative.
“Anything that can improve our national team must be given priority. This is the first time that the ministry will be stepping in to help the FAM groom the national team and everybody needs to support this to make the project a success,” said Devan, who led the Red Giants to the Super League and FA Cup titles last season.
But Devan was quick to point out that before the plan was implemented, all aspects needed to be looked into first.
“With the cream of local talent taken out, the quality of the domestic competitions would suffer further,” said Devan.
“The league already suffered when foreign players were barred last year. Supporters want to see certain players in action and more fans would stay away if the national players are not on show.”
Devan also felt that any attachment stints with European clubs should be confined to the short term.
“Attachments are good as our players can improve on their game at an established club, for example Arsenal, who have a good youth academy,” he said.
“From past experiences, it would be better if our players go on short stints. They tend to get homesick on long attachments. Perhaps it would be important to consult the feelings of the players first before deciding on what is best for them.
“Our national players are mostly over 20-years-old and they are well past the development stage.
“They need to keep their competitive edge at this stage of their careers. We need to make sure that they are not left idle during the attachments but get to play competitive matches there.”
The minister, Datuk Ahmad Shabery Cheek, had said that he would be going to London next week to source for clubs for attachments.
Interests in the national Under-23 team were fuelled by their gold medal-winning effort in the SEA Games in Laos last month. It was the first time in 20 years that Malaysia won the biennial regional tournament. — The Star
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