Peter Cklamovski, Malaysia National Team head coach has confirmed that key defenders Facundo Garcés and Dion Cools will not be part of the squad for the upcoming international friendly against Palestine.
Both players featured in Malaysia’s 2-1 victory over Singapore at the Bukit Jalil National Stadium on Thursday night, but will now return to their respective clubs.
Cklamovski explained the decision was part of a bigger strategic plan to balance player freshness and ensure continuity in Malaysia’s playing identity.
“Yes, this was always in the plan. Facundo will return to his club, and so will Dion. We want to balance player freshness and the team’s identity. This is important for our preparations in October,” he said.
However, the absence of Garcés and Cools, Cklamovski stressed, should not be seen as a setback. Instead, it opens the door for other players to step up.
Reflecting on the win over Singapore, the former FC Tokyo coach admitted there were moments when Malaysia struggled with their basic structures.
“Sometimes our tempo was too slow and the distances between players were loose. But they worked hard, defended well, and in the end delivered the victory for the nation,” Cklamovski noted.
He emphasized that no match is easy, and facing quality opponents provides opportunities for growth and development.
As Malaysia prepare for the clash against Palestine on September 8, at Sultan Ibrahim Stadium, Iskandar Puteri.
Credit Photo : Simon Yap/SNE-Photo
