KUALA LUMPUR – National football legend Datuk Thanabalan Nadarajah believes that a non-functional midfield led to Malaysia’s heavy defeat at the hands of Jordan in the AFC Asian Cup Group E opener, early this morning.
The 81-year-old former striker, who graced the national team from 1960 to 1969, said that Harimau Malaya’s midfielders should buck up and elevate their gameplay if Malaysia hopes to progress further in the tournament.
“Our midfielders have a lot to improve in their gameplay as they are the backbone of the team. They need to be more creative offensively and more aware defensively.
“In yesterday’s match against Jordan, the team conceded many goals because our midfielders were not quick enough to close down the opponents whenever they launched their attacks.
“Head coach Kim Pan-gon has to advise his players, especially the midfielders, to be the engine of the team if he hopes to advance to the further stages of the tournament. Otherwise, the team might face defeat again in the upcoming matches,” Thanabalan said.
Aside from his playing days for the national team, Thanabalan is also well-known for his career with Selangor FC, where he played alongside the late Abdul Ghani Minhat, M. Chandran, and Abdullah Yeop Noordin, helping the club become runners-up in the 1967 Asian Champion Club Tournament.
He went on to win seven Malaysia Cup titles (1961, 1962, 1963, 1966, 1968, 1969, 1971) with Selangor FC, and was inducted into the Olympic Council of Malaysia’s Hall of Fame in 2013.
Thanabalan further expressed reservations about players like Romel Morales starting the game, emphasising the importance of prior game time with the national team.
“Romel was struggling to adapt to the team, as he was unable to move around with the ball on several occasions. I’m not denying the fact that he’s a good player and has proven himself by playing in the Malaysia Super League with Kuala Lumpur City FC.
“But he needs more time to adapt to the team, and I can observe that he was playing with a bit of pressure for Harimau Malaya. Pan-gon could have started with a more familiar player in his position, such as Muhammad Safawi Rashid, and brought Romel in the second half.
“Having Romel make his debut for Malaysia in the Asian Cup was a risky move from Pan-gon, and the coach should avoid using players that don’t have enough game time for in the starting lineup in the upcoming matches of the tournament.
“Perhaps in a couple of years from now, Romel can be in the starting eleven of the national team, but he should get more game exposure starting with international friendly matches first.
“Nevertheless, he will be a good player for the national team in the years to come,” Thanabalan added.
Malaysia began their Asian Cup campaign with a 4-0 defeat at the hands of Jordan in their opening Group E match at Al Janoub Stadium in Qatar yesterday.
Jordan’s goals were scored courtesy of a brace each from Mahmoud Almardi (12th and 32nd minutes) and Mousa Altamari (18th, 86th).
Currently sitting at the bottom of Group E, Malaysia will play their second group match against Bahrain on Saturday and South Korea on January 25. – January 16, 2024