KUALA LUMPUR: Playing the Syrian U-23 team on Jan 5 will be the last friendly match for the Malaysian U-23 team before their AFC U-23 Championship campaign in Nanjing, China, from Jan 9-27.
Malaysian U-23 team head coach Datuk Ong Kim Swee said the Syrian test will lay bare their strengths and weaknesses after high intensity matches against three clubs in South Korea.
“My boys have got to improve against Syria. Most importantly, they have to peak when the tournament starts in Nanjing, China,” he said when contacted.
In yesterday’s friendly match, the U-23 team drew 1-1 with Jeonju Citizen FC. They beat Honam University 1-0 on Friday and drew 1-1 with Mokpo City FC on Wednesday.
Kim Swee is expected to drop three players to complete the final 23-man squad for the AFC U-23 Championship before leaving for Nanjing, China, on Saturday.
Malaysia were drawn in Group C and will start against Iraq (Jan 10), followed by Jordan (Jan 13) and Saudi Arabia (Jan 16). The top two teams advance to the quarter-finals on Jan 20. — Bernama