KUCHING: Sarawak are aiming to qualify for the quarterfinals of the Youth Cup which is scheduled to commence next month.
Head coach Mohd Safri Amit, who thinks that the target is realistic, is also hopeful of finishing among the top four in the group stage.
According to the former state striker, selection for the Sarawak Youth Cup team was completed last week and 28 players have been registered for the state’s challenge.
“I am very satisfied with the capabilities of the chosen players and I believe they have the potential of giving a strong challenge in the Youth Cup,” he said after a training session at Padang C, Sarawak Stadium Complex, in Petra Jaya.
“However, I do not deny that they need to undergo more training especially on teamwork to form a strong squad,” said Safri who is assisted by Ibrahim Mantali and Jahar Nor in giving the new squad intensive training for the next two weeks.
His focus will be the physical and mental training of the team which needs to gel well as an unit.
The head coach said his team will fly to Kuala Lumpur to play four friendly matches from Jan 17-25 in preparations for the Youth Cup.
“We will play against PKNS U19 team, Negeri Sembilan and a club from Kuala Lumpur Division One while the other team will either be from Kuala Lumpur or Selangor,” he said.
The Youth Cup 2017 will kick off on Feb 10.