FUTSAL coach Chiew Chun Yong doesn't have much time to close the gap between Malaysia and their Sea Games rivals.
Just only two weeks ago, the Malaysian team got a rude awakening after they failed to get past the group stage of the AFF Championship in Bangkok.
And Chun Yong has little time to knock his team into shape for them to match powerhouses Thailand, Vietnam and Indonesia at next month's Hanoi Sea Games.
"The players lacked international exposure for two years due to Covid-19.
"They gave their best in the AFF Championship.
"It was a good stage for them to learn although we didn't get the result that we wanted," he said.
The last time futsal featured in the Sea Games was in 2017 in Kuala Lumpur.
Chun Yong had then led Malaysia to the silver, and Thailand won gold.
"We have seen how the favourites like Thailand, Vietnam and Indonesia play in the AFF Championship. We were not too far behind them and we came close to springing some upsets.
"The players will be better but we have only a short time to prepare for the Sea Games.
"We know that there's still a gap between us and the top teams. Good preparation is the key to doing well."
Chun Yong said he had identified fitness as an issue in the team after their performance in the AFF Championship and the newcomers could not adapt to the national team on short notice.