BUKIT JALIL: The national Under-22 (U-22) squad who are currently undergoing centralised training as part of their preparations for the AFF U-22 Championship in Phnom Penh, Cambodia from February 17-26, received a welcome boost as key midfielder Nik Akif Syahiran Nik Mat is showing positive signs in recovering from a knee injury, and he is expected to be ready for action by their second Group B match against Indonesia on February 20 (Wednesday).
The welcome good news is a positive development for national youth coach Ong Kim Swee after having to face the issue of a lack of players, especially in midfield, after a couple of Malaysia League (M-League) teams refused to cooperate and release players that he had selected to be part of the team for the championship.
Despite the lack of players in the middle of the park, Kim Swee is playing it safe and does not want to gamble unnecessarily on Nik Akif, so he won’t be rushing to field the Kelantan midfield ace for the first group match against hosts Cambodia on February 18 (Monday).
“Nik Akif will recover hopefully within a day or two before he begins intensive training together with the rest of the team. I firmly believe that he will be able to be match fit and feature for us by the second group match against Indonesia.
“Without Akif, we only have two midfielders really. So I am hoping that there are no more injury problems and worries that could adversely affect our midfield,” he said when met after the team’s training session in Bukit Jalil earlier today (Wednesday).
With Akif still recovering, Kim Swee only has K. Thivandaran and Muhammad Danial Haqim Draman to call upon in midfield.
At the same time, Nik Akif stressed that he also needs to work harder in helping the team out and he always aims to deliver when given the chance or opportunity.
“Yes it is very frustrating for me to see my teammates working hard in training from the sidelines as I cannot take part in intensive training just yet because I am still in the recovery process for my knee injury.
“Now that I am recovering well, I have to hit the ground running once I am fully fit so that I can help the team to perform and achieve the desired results. Insya-Allah we will not waste this opportunity that has been given to us by coach Kim Swee,” stressed Nik Akif.