By MOHD FARIQ
THE national team centralised training began today as Kim Pan-gon assembled his men for the first time, almost three months after successfully taking Malaysia to the AFC Asian Cup finals through a creditable qualifying campaign in June.
Wearing a big smile amidst the fist-bumps and warm hugs, the squad, made up of 23 players, are now reunited much like a family reunion ahead of a feast.
Except for Johor Darul Ta’zim defender, Shahrul Saad, who was feeling under the weather and will report for duty tomorrow plus Dion Cools who will be joining the team in Thailand straight from Europe, the rest reported for training at Wisma FAM, eager to be part of Pan-gon’s game plan in the upcoming King’s Cup in Chiangmai.
As fitness coach Dr Gokhan Kandemir put the players into their paces, issues of players asking to be excused from the training camp to focus on their league commitment were cast aside.
Pan-gon’s first session was inclusive of all his backroom staff, with E. Elavarasan, in charge of the Under-23 side, Juan Torres Garrido, goalkeeping coach Kris Yong, fitness coach Park Jihyeon and analyst Lee Jeyoon all worked closely with Pau Marti, Cho Jun Ho, Lim Jaehun and Park Bo-Bae to keep an eye on the trainees.
A bird’s eye-view was recorded for tactical reasons as Jaehun and Jeyoon stood side by side, piloting the drone from behind the goal with the content to be dissected by Pan-gon in the coming days.
With FA of Malaysia (FAM) president Datuk Hamidin Mohd Amin an interested observer along with deputy president, Datuk Wira Mohd Yusoff Mahadi and assistant team manager Datuk Kamarul Ariffin Mohd Shahar as well as general secretary, Noor Azman Rahman, from the sidelines on the brand new Bermudagrass pitch, one cannot but feel the players wanted to prove their worth quickly.
Three players under the age of 21 – Terengganu goalkeeper Rahadiazli Rahalim and defender, Azam Azmi Murad as well as Selangor midfielder Mukhairi Ajmal Mahadi – took their places on the pitch along with other established members of the squad.
After an almost two hours of light training, the players returned to their hotel, with Brendan Gan, making a comeback after recovering from testicular cancer, pleasantly surprised with surroundings earlier when he checked in earlier part of the day.
Motivational words written on numerous standees welcomed the players as they were given a warm welcome, a feature introduced by Pan-gon in order to create an environment fitting for the national team.
Dinner was held tonite by the pool in a relaxed environment, joined by Hamidin and Azman.
The players and coaches exude optimism before they move into second gear as they prepare to depart for the King’s Cup next week.
