PETALING JAYA: Newly crowned Premier League champions Harimau Muda will form the core of the Malaysian football team for the qualifying rounds of the 2012 London Olympics.
The FA of Malaysia (FAM) deputy president Datuk Redzuan Sheikh Ahmad said the majority of the Harimau Muda boys, who are currently Under-21, would be eligible for the qualifying rounds scheduled to kick off next year.
“The Olympic football competition is for the Under-23 players. These boys will be earmarked for the Olympic qualifiers. As such we will recommend them to be promoted to play in the Super League next season,” said Datuk Redzuan at a press conference after breaking fast at the Wisma FAM in Kelana Jaya yesterday.
The Harimau Muda team under Ong Kim Swee are expected to play in the Super League on an invitational basis next season. The team finished top of the 13-team standings in the Premier League this year.
Redzuan, who is also the technical committee chairman, said the new FAM Project Under-18 team, which will be named later would also be playing on an invitational basis in the Premier League next season.
He said they have streamlined the national teams under their purview right from the senior team, Under-23 (SEA Games), Harimau Muda Under-21 squad (Olympic 2012/Super League), FAM Project Under-18 squad (Premier League, Under-17, Under-16, Under-14 and Under-13 squads.
Redzuan said the Malaysia Cup final scheduled for Nov 21 would have to be brought forward to Nov 7 to accommodate the national Under-23 team’s preparation for the Laos SEA Games in December.
“Coach Rajagopal has requested to have the players for at least 20 days before they go to Laos. As such, we will recommend the competitions committee to make the change,” said Redzuan.
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