KUALA LUMPUR, (D5) - National coach K. Rajagobal admitted that it is becoming difficult to find decent opponents for friendly matches to test his squad.
The coach said this during an announcement of a friendly match with Sri Lanka on 28 April.
Despite questions raised on why Sri Lanka was picked, Rajagobal was adamant that the encounter will benefit his team ahead of their title defence at the AFF Suzuki Cup later this year.
In the lineup released for the friendly, several key players were omitted due to their respective commitment in the FA Cup and Singapore League, namely players from Kedah, Kelantan and Terengganu.
Sri Lanka is currently ranked 186th in the world, while Malaysia is 156th. The Harimau Malaya is also scheduled to face Singapore on 8 and 12 June.
Goalkeeper: Farizal Marlias (NS), Syed Adney Syed Hussin (Sab).
Defender: Aidil Zafuan Radzak, Amirizwan Taj Tajuddin, Azmi Muslim (all ATM), Zulharis Mohd Noor (PKNS), Helmi Rameli (PKNS), G. Mahathevan (NS), Asrarudin Putra Omar (Sel), Dzulazlan Ibrahim (Sar).
Midfielder: S Kunanlan (NS), Bunyamin Omar, K. Gurusamy, Safiq Rahim (all Sel), Christie Jayaseelan (ATM), Venice Elphi (ATM).
Forward: Zaquan Adha Radzak (ATM), Shakir Ali (NS), Ashri Chuchu (Sar), Khairul Izuan Abdullah (Pol), Ahmad Fakri Saraani (Felda).