The Malaysians have requested a rematch of their earlier friendly against the Philippines in February which ended in a 1-1 draw in Manila. The game on 1 June 2012 has been confirmed for the Shah Alam Stadium.

After the game against Malaysia, the Philippines will then take on Indonesia on 5 June 2012 at the Rizal Memorial Stadium in Manila before playing against Guam on 12 June 2012 at the Panaad Stadium in Bacolod City.

PHILIPPINES

Eduard Sacapano, Ref Delany Cuaresma, Roxy BongBong Dorlas, Bervic Italia,
Jason Sabio, Nestorio Margarse, Antonio Albor Jr, Carli De Murga, OJ Clarino, Emilio Caligdong, Lexton Moy, Misagh Bahadoran, Patrick Reichelt, Jovanie Simpron, Ian Araneta, Ruben Doctora Jr, Phil Younghusband, James Younghusband, Rob Gier, Manny Ott, Denis Wolf, Jason De Jong, Angel Guirado.

Fabio Oliviera, the assistant coach of the Indonesia national team, said that they had initially wanted to bring 23 players to Palestine but the FA of Indonesia (PSSI) felt that 20 players should be enough for the assignment.

“We took only 20 players from the 23 lads who have been attending training at the Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta (UNY),” said Fabio. “But that not mean that the players we have left behind are out of the squad. They will still need to feature in our future preparations for the several matches ahead.”

Other than the tournament in Palestine, the Indonesia national team is also being prepared for the friendly against Inter Milan in Jakarta, tournaments in the Philippines and Timor Leste as well as the expected match against Argentina.

INDONESIA NATIONAL TEAM

GOALKEEPERS: Wahyu Tri Nugroho, Endra Prasetya, Jandia Eka Putra

DEFENDERS: Wahyu Wijiastanto, Nopendi, Hamdi Ramdhan, Jajang Paliama, Novan Setya

MIDFIELDERS: Slamet Nurcahyo, Kim Kurniawan, Yoshua Pahabol, Taufiq, Abdul Musawir, Hendra Bayauw, Oktovianus Maniani

STRIKERS: Irfan Bachdim, Rahmat, Titus Bonai, Samsul Arif, Muhammad Nur Iskandar

GROUPINGS

GROUP A: Pakistan, Palestine, Vietnam, Sri Lanka

GROUP B: Uzbekistan, Indonesia, Iraq

GROUP C: Tunisia, Jordon, Mauritania

The local coaches felt that the refusal by the VFF to allow them the opportunity to coach their clubs while holding on to the post at the national level was a major stumbling block to their agreement.

The three candidates for the top job are Phan Thanh Hung, chief coach of 2010 V-League champions Hanoi T&T, Nguyen Huu Thang, coach of V-League champs Song Lam Nghe An, and Le Huynh Duc, coach of 2009 champs Da Nang.

Vietnam’s immediate assignment will be the two friendly matches – against China on 8 June 2012 and against Macau on 10 June 2012.

“We will stick to our idea of choosing a local coach who has to sign a long-term contract and will have no other job other than as national team coach,” said VFF vice chairman Nguyen Lan Trung.

“For the two friendly matches, the VFF standing committee will decide to choose one of the three said nominees and call him Acting Head Coach. Maybe Hung will be selected for that position because he is in Hanoi, so it is more convenient for him than the other two.”

Chief coach K. Rajagobal has named a squad of 26 players in preparation for the matches against the Philippines (on 1 June 2012 in Kuala Lumpur) and against Singapore (on 8 June 2012 in Singapore and on 12 June 2012 in Kuala Lumpur).

The list of players which was released this week also included Mohd Safee Sali, who plays for Pelita Jaya FC in the Indonesia Super League.

The Malaysians will begin centralised training on 21 May 2012 at the Wisma FAM.

MALAYSIA

Amar Rohidan, Mohd Khyril Muhymeen Zamri, Mat Sabre Mat Abu (KEDAH), Mohd Bunyamin Umar, Safiq Rahim, Mohd Asraruddin Putra Omar, K. Gurusamy (SELANGOR), Ahmad Shakir Md Ali, Mohd Farizal Marlias, Shahurain Abu Samah, S. Kunalan (NEGERI SEMBILAN), S. Chanturu, Norshahrul Idlan Talaha, S. Subramaniam, Mohd Shakir Shaari, Khairul Fahmi Che Mat (KELANTAN), Mohd Sharbinee Allawee, Mohamad Ashaari Samsudin, Mohd Faizal Muhamad (TERENGGANU), Mohamad Aidil Zafuan Abd Razak, Amiridzwan Taj Tajudin (ATM), Mahalli Jasuli, Mohd Fadhli Mohd Shas, Wan Zack Haikal Wan Nor (HARIMAU MUDA ‘A’), Mohd Faiz Subri (TERENGGANU T-TEAM), Mohd Safee Mohd Sali (PELITA JAYA FC)

The program, organized by the Chinese Taipei Football Association, aims to provide an opportunity for young players to play football and improve their skills by participating in 20 to 25 matches a season, while giving the coaches a learning experience through these competitions where they can develop their analytical, planning and coaching skills.

Prince Ali explained that the AFDP supports this program because it provides “an excellent way to promote the development and identfication of talented players in Chinese Taipei,” noting that “working alongside the Asian Football Confederation, AFDP is the vehicle through which we will fill the gaps where needed to develop, promote and strengthen football for young boys and girls across the continent,”

In closing, Prince Ali commended the leadership of CTFA and their partners in the public and private sector for investing in football for youth, noting that “the success of the Spring Finals and the Youth League in its entirety also encourages further organisations to invest strongly in the game and thereby the country’s future.”

AFDP is a non-profit youth commission whose primary objective is to provide effective needs-based assistance to all Asian national associations, including the CTFA in a fair and transparent manner and on a case by case basis. Youth development – particularly relevant in Asia where there is a large population of youth – is one of the four main pillars of the AFDP.

With both teams unable to stamp their dominance early in the game, it took an own goal from Naga’s Thul Sothearith in the 40^th minute to give Boueng Kit the lead although that was erased barely five minutes later when Nofiu Rasak Lawal struck the equalising goal.

However, Sophanha would have the final say in the match when his goal on 66 minutes gave Naga the full points.

In the meantime, Preah Khan Reach FC had little difficulty disposing Western University when they scored a thumping 4-0 victory – with Tum Saray nailing a brace with goals in the 28^th and 34^th minute.

The other two goals for Preah Khan were scored by Prak Mony Oudom in the 47^th minute and Sok Chanraksmey in the 90^th minute.

“As the title sponsor of the NFABD Futsal Champions League, Red Bull are proud to be associated with the national association and to be given the opportunity to extend the good working relationship with the national football organisation,” said Raymond Lee, the Area Sales and Marketing Manager of Allswell Trading Pte Ltd.

“Red Bull is excited at the prospect of doing its bit in developing the sport in the Sultanate.”

The sponsorship was received by Mohd Noor Abdullah, the general secretary of the NFABD, and was witnessed by Dato Paduka Abdul Rahman Mohiddin, the president of the NFABD and tournament director Mohd Taha Mohd Tahir.

A total of 40 teams will be taking part in the first edition of the Futsal championship which will be played at two venues – the Multipurpose Hall of the Hassanal Bolkiah Sports Complex and the Indoor Stadium of the Hassanal Bolkiah National Sports Complex in Berakas.

It is believed that talks between Nazmi’s representatives and SC Beira Mar is already at a late stage with Nazmi expected to be attached to the Portuguese side on 14-21 May 2012. And should he impress his selectors, then he will be offered a more permanent contract after he turns 18-year-old later this August.

Nazmi Faiz currently plays for Harimau Muda in Singapore’s S-League.

“I will never stop Nazmi should he choose to play in Europe. As afterall, the whole idea behind having the Harimau Muda squad is to have our young players play abroad,” added Ong Kim Swee, the chief coach of Harimau Muda.

Other than the hosts, the other teams the Philippines will be up against in Group G are Korea Republic, Malaysia, Vietnam and Chinese Taipei.

Following a successful tryouts in the provinces the previous week, the team has been hard at work in centralized training under chief coach John Carmona. They played their first friendly on the weekend where they overcame Agila FC 3-0.

They will take on Loyola Meralco Sparks Loyola this week.

A total of 41 teams will battle for the only 15 available places in the main draw of the AFC U22 Asian Cup next year.

Phnom Penh edged 2007 finalists Nepal Police Club 1-0 while Dordoi went top of the table after thrashing debutants Yeedzin FC of Bhutan 11-2.

In a hard fought tie, the hosts had to rely on Khim Borey’s solitary strike in the 21st minute to send Nepal Police out of the competition while Murzaev Maksim scored personal five goals as President’s Cup regulars Dordoi Dynamo once again booked a place for the finals.

Second half substitute Anderson William Franco De Souza scored a brace alongside Askarov Davron and Tetteh  David to complete the rout over the Bhutanese who will take on Nepal Police Club in an academic contest on tomorrow.

Phnom Penh will take on Dordoi on the same day to decide the group winners.