Harimau Malaya to undergo unique three-phase approach

PETALING JAYA: National head coach Peter Cklamovski has introduced a different approach by calling up 38 players to the centralised training camp in preparation for Malaysia’s second Group F match in the 2027 Asian Cup Qualifiers against Vietnam this June.

Cklamovski said the camp will be conducted in three distinct phases, each tailored with specific objectives, a structure he believes is not only unique but necessary given the current circumstances of the players and the domestic football calendar.

The 46-year-old Australian tactician said phase one and two will involve players reporting after a four-week off-season, supported by a customised programme led by national team’s Head of High Performance and Sports Medicine Dr Craig Duncan.

He said the squad will be gradually trimmed across the phases, with overseas-based players expected to join later in early June and only those who perform well will make the final squad for Vietnam clash.

“So players will know from phase one to phase two into the final phase, they need to perform to be selected for that final phase,” he told a press conference to announce the Harimau Malaya squad at Wisma FAM, Kelana Jaya on Wednesday.

Based on the list of players called up, Cklamovski has retained 25 players from the squad that faced Nepal in their opening Group F match of the 2027 Asian Cup Qualifiers last March, while also including several new faces including players from the national Under-23 (U-23) squad.

A total of 28 players will report for duty on May 18, followed by another eight namely Ahmad Syihan Hazmi Mohamed, La’Vere Corbin-Ong, Matthew Davies, Shahrul Mohd Saad, Junior Eldstal, Mohd Afiq Fazail, Romel Morales and Endrick Dos Santos on May 25 before the final two players, Dion Cools and Hector Hevel, join the squad on June 1.

Among the names in the spotlight is Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) midfielder Nathaniel Shio Hong Wan who earned praise from Cklamovski.

“Hong has been training a few weeks before the end of the season with JDT. Training well, looking sharp and feeling ready to go. I watch his training sessions,” he said.

Meanwhile, Cklamovski once again defended his player selection including the inclusion of those with limited playing time at club level.

“I encourage them to stay positive, keep getting better and they are available for the next selection,” he said.

The Harimau Malaya will undergo phase one of centralised training in Johor Bahru from May 18 to 26 before continuing preparations in Kuala Lumpur until match day against Vietnam at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil.

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The following is the list of 38 players called up for the Harimau Malaya centralised training camp:

1. Ahmad Syihan Hazmi Mohamed
2. La’Vere Corbin Ong
3. Matthew Davies
4. Shahrul Mohd Saad
5. Junior Eldstal
6. Mohd Afiq Fazail
7. Muhammad Nazmi Faiz Mansor
8. Nathaniel Shio Hong Wan
9. Mohamed Syamer Kutty Abba
10. Arif Aiman Mohd Hanapi
11. Fergus Tierney
12. Romel Morales
13. Muhammad Alif Ahmad
14. Muhammad Shafizan Mohamad Arshad
15. Harith Haiqal Adam Afkar
16. Ahmad Zikri Mohd Khalili
17. Nooa Laine
18. Quentin Cheng
19. Mohamad Faisal Abdul Halim
20. Muhammad Abu Khalil
21. Mohammad Haykal Danish Mohd Haizon
22. Muhammad Aiman Hakimi Othman
23. Muhammad Rahadiazli Rahalim
24. Syed Muhammad Nasrulhaq Syed Bidin
25. Muhammad Safwan Mazlan
26. Muhammad Ubaidullah Shamsul Fazili
27. Muhammad Safawi Rasid
28. Dominic Tan
29. Daniel Ting
30. Stuart Wilkin
31. Muhammad Azri Ab Ghani
32. Paulo Josue
33. Muhammad Haqimi Azim Rosli
34. Muhammad Haziq Nazdli
35. Dion Cools
36. Endrick Dos Santos
37. Gabriel Felipe Arrocha
38. Hector Alexander Hevel Serrano