Football

Harimau to play Jordan, Uzbekistan in friendlies

In preparation for the Asian Cup qualifiers, Malaysia will play Jordan and Uzbekistan in international friendlies next month during the Oct 4-12 Fifa window.

During the Fifa window of Aug 30-Sept 7, Harimau Malaya did not play any international friendlies as FAM had used the period to complete the M-League fixtures which were severely affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.

The national team had also appealed to the government for the hosting of international friendlies in Malaysia, but it was rejected due to Covid cases.

It is learnt that the national team will participate in a "tri-nation" friendlies in Amman with Jordan hosting Malaysia and Uzbekistan.

National head coach Tan Cheng Hoe admitted that his team desperately need to play international friendlies.

"So far, the preparation for the friendlies has been good. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that things will go to plan, because with Covid-19, it's hard to be certain."

Cheng Hoe revealed that he has plans to call up Malaysia's overseas-based players, including FC Midtjylland's Dion Cools, for the matches in Amman.

"This is during the Fifa window, so we look to calling up the likes of Cools, Luqman Hakim Shamsudin, Dominic Tan and Junior Eldstal.

"If it is outside the Fifa window, we can't call them as it would be a problem to get them released from their clubs."

For the local-based national players, they will be involved in the Malaysia Cup, which kicks on Sept 25 before the international friendlies.

The Asian Cup third-round qualifiers are scheduled form February to September next year.

The winners of all six groups will advance to the 2023 Asian Cup in China on June 16-July 16 together with the best five runners-up.

Malaysia are through to the third-round qualifiers after finishing third in Group G behind United Arab Emirates and Vietnam in June.

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