MALAYSIA enter the AFF Cup with the hope of regaining the title and despite arriving in Singapore with an ill-prepared side, national coach Dollah Salleh is still confident his players will make their presence felt in the tournament.
Weakened by injuries and tired players after the hectic M-League, Dollah will find it tough to emulate K. Rajagobal’’s feat in 2010 but the former international believes a win over Myanmar at Jalan Besar Stadium today will change his side’s fortunes.
Dollah also has to worry about Thailand and Singapore, who have named an all-local side for the tournament after a long time.
In 2011, former captain Safiq Rahim said that Singapore were “nothing” without their foreign-born players, while Rajagobal labelled them as the “special ones” in the national ranks. Singapore will now want to prove a point by beating Malaysia without naturalised players on Saturday.
Singapore is also a special place for Dollah, Myanmar coach Radojko Avramovic and Thailand’’s trainer Kiatisuk Senamuang.
The 51-year-old Malaysian, who was born in Malacca, moved to Singapore when he was three months old with his father, who was a fireman in 1963. Dollah represented Sembawang Primary School and was later offered to play for Singapore but he chose to represent Malaysia.
Avramovic is considered Singapore’’s most successful coach after guiding them to three wins in the AFF Cup in 2004, 2007 and 2012 while Kiatisuk scored in the 1-0 win over Malaysia in the final of the inaugural tournament in 1996 at the National Stadium in Kallang.
““It has been four months since I was appointed coach but I only had 30 days in total with the players in training. I have a mixed squad with some having the experience of winning the tournament in 2010,”” said Dollah yesterday.
Dollah has high regards for Avramovic as the former Yugoslavian international was already coaching when the Malaysian was still an active footballer.
““Today, I sit next to him as a coach. It has been a long time since I met him. Critics may have written off my team but they must understand friendly matches do not matter. It is, however, important for us to win against Myanmar as it will help boost our confidence.”
Based on Dollah’’s formation in training, he is expected to field Khairul Fahmi Che Mat, Afif Amirudin, Muslim Ahmad, Mahali Jasuli, Zubir Azmi, Shukor Adan, Gary Steven Robbat, Azamuddin Akil, S. Kunalan, Norshahrul Idlan Talaha and Amri Yahyah today.
Despite Malaysia’’s poor form in friendly matches, Avramovic , Kiatisuk and Singapore coach Bernd Stange have high regards for Dollah’’s side.
However, it could be trouble for Malaysia today as Avramovic had a good record over the national team when he was coaching Singapore. He led Singapore to eight wins in 13 meetings between 2003-12.
“Furthermore, Malaysia have a new coach, who may have his own style of play.”
Dollah, however, will be judged by fans in his first tournament. But he has a good base with several experienced players.
““I am with a new team and judging from previous records, Malaysia, Thailand and Singapore hold the advantage over Myanmar. Our group rivals have all won the AFF Cup except for Myanmar. My job is to close the gap with the rest,”” said Avramovic.
Stange, whose side will take on Thailand today, is optimistic his team will have a successful outing as hosts.
Thailand assistant coach Klairung Treejaksung said his team have been preparing for the tournament in stages since last year’’s Sea Games in Myanmar.
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