Brad Maloney, head coach of Malaysia national team U23, confirm Wan Kuzri Wan Kamal will missed the opportunity to participate in the AFF U23 Championship 2022 at Phnom Penh, Cambodia in this month.
For the cause of Wan Kuzri can’t join with Malaysia U23, due the player was still unable to solve his personal problems in the United States.
“Yes, I contacted him this morning and he still can’t solve his problem… so it seems we can’t take him with us this time.” Brad said with Bernama
“This is something we have to deal with. It would be great if Wan Kuzri was with us. He is indeed a good player but we need to step forward and give this opportunity to other players in this tournament,” he told reporters when met at the training camp. based here today.”
Asked why sensational striker Luqman Hakim Shamsudin was not listed this time around, Maloney said the Belgium-based player was giving his full commitment to his club, KV Kortrijk at the moment.
However, Brad said he often liaised with Wan Kuzri and Luqman to share his current plans and the latest developments of the squad even without their presence in Cambodia.
Meanwhile, Nur Azfar Fikri Azhar, who is one of the main pillars in helping the country qualify for the final round of the AFC U23 Asian Cup 2022 after topping the qualifying group in Mongolia last year, said Wan Kuzri’s absence would not affect the team’s preparations for Cambodia.
The Terengganu FC II player said this was because most of the other players, including those who were called to join the central training camp for the first time, showed high commitment in their efforts to grab a place in Cambodia.
“Currently, the team’s preparation is 80 percent, all showing positive development since the first day of training on Jan 27,” Nur Azfar said.
Meanwhile, Aizat Aiman Mazlan, FAM-MSN goalkeeper who was called up for the first time to join the Malaysia U23 training, admitted that he is still struggling to understand Maloney’s tactical aspects but will try to stand out to be listed as the coach to Cambodia.
Malaysia U23 stay in Group B with Myanmar, Laos PDR and Indonesia. and have program as follow
15 February 2022 VS Myanmar at Prince Stadium
18 February 2022 VS Laos at Prince Stadium
21 February 2022 VS Indonesia at Morodok Techo National Stadium.
Next, the Group A, B and C champions as well as one of the best group runners-up will advance to the semi-finals on 24 February 2022 while the Final is scheduled to take place on 26 February 2022. The knockout competition all matches takes place at the Morodok Techo National Stadium.
Credit Photo : FAM
