PENDANG, Nov 11 — The Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) hopes that football teams will release their players who are selected by manager Kim Pan Gon to join the national squad in the 2022 AFF Cup starting on December 20.
FAM deputy president Datuk Mohd Yusoff Mahadi said their release would certainly make it easier for Pan Gon to form a strong team for the task.
"Although the tournament is not in the International Federation of Football Association (FIFA) calendar, the cooperation of teams in releasing their players can help the head coach make a thorough plan for the AFF Cup," he said.
Mohd Yusoff said this when met at the FAM Suparimau Football Day programme which was also attended by Pan Gon and his assistant Pau Marti Vicente at the Pendang Mini Stadium here today.
Regarding the selection of players, he said it was entirely up to Pan Gon to make an assessment for a plan which is in line with FAM's target for the competition.
Meanwhile, when asked about the candidate to replace former national team fitness coach Dr Gokhan Kandemir who left his position last month, Mohd Yusoff said that was also Pan Gon’s prerogative.
"FAM leaves it to him to make a choice so that the chosen candidate is happy to work with him. He will bring the candidate to meet us before it is finalised and approved by the entire FAM leadership," he said.
— Bernama
