Tottenham Hotspur’s Harry Kane vies for the ball with Malaysia XI’s Joseph Kalang Tie during a friendly match at the Shah Alam Stadium. — AFP photo
SHAH ALAM: National football head coach Dollah Salleh revealed that he will drop five players from the 38 players who will be called up after an international friendly match against Hong Kong on June 6 at the Shah Alam Stadium.
He said each team could only register a maximum of 33 players for the 2018 World Cup Qualifier which also serves as the 2019 Asian Cup Qualifier.
Malaysia who are drawn in Group A of the qualifier, will host two preliminary matches against Timor Leste and Palestine on June 11th and 16th respectively at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil.
“I will keep all the local players who played tonight as well as other players from Johor Darul Ta’zim and Pahang who will report to me after finishing their duty in the AFC Cup,” Dollah said.
He told this to reporters after the match between a Malaysian Selection and English Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur at the Shah Alam Stadium.
England U-21 striker, Harry Kane earned himself a brace with goals in the 18th and 42nd minutes while the Malaysian Selection’s consolation goal was scored by Brazilian player Thiago Juninho, who plays for Perak, in the 31st minute.
On the Wednesday’s match, Dollah praised his boys for putting up a splendid performance against the renowned club especially in the first half, while admitting that the visitors played very well.
Meanwhile, Spurs manager Mauricio Pochettino said he was truly amazed with the rapturous attendance of the club’s fans in the country.
The Argentinian was also confident that Kane would stay fit to face the English Premier League 2015/16 season despite being named by England U-21 manager, Gareth Southgate for the 2015 European U-21 Championship from June 15-30 in the Czech Republic.
“I hope we can come back to Malaysia because the fans here are truly fantastic,” Pochettino added.
Tottenham Hotspur FC, who arrived in Malaysia on Tuesday, will play against A-League side, Sydney FC at the ANZ Stadium in Sydney, Australia tomorrow. — Bernama