Looking at the squad, I think the strongest department did be our midfield. Hariss Harun and Isa Halim are already full internationals, while Yasir Hanapi just had a good season with Geylang. Add Shahdan Sulaiman, Gabriel Quak and Firdaus Idros, I think there is good competition for the places in the first XI.

However, the same could not be said for other departments. Neither GK had been convincing, Shaiful Esah is probably the only one who can confirm his place in defense at LB as the rest aren’t that reliable, while the forward-line can blow hot and cold.

I would expect this team to at least qualify for the semis, since we have a psychological edge over everyone, especially Indonesia whom we defeat earlier this year at this level. However, with Myanmar being an unknown factor and Laos being strong in youth tournament and also at home, I can’t help but feel that even such modest target can be hard to achieve.

But few ponder about the opportunities that the 20-23 year olds not selected have just lost. This is their last possible sea games and have been working hard to be selected. They were not given similar opportunities when they were 17-19 as such youth favorable policies were not practiced back then.

It’s sad because its as good as saying those in the 20-23 age group dont mean thing. The 17 and 18 year olds still can get experience and exposure at their u-19 or u-20 level… why thrust them to the u-23 at the expense of the boys who have waited so long to be finally in the age group to be considered for the squad ?

This practice of suddenly fielding significantly younger teams will filter down through the age groups and you will find many boys getting overlooked because they have not yet blossomed at 16 or 17. There are only a handful of ronaldo’s,rooneys and messi’s… the rest take time to develop. Case in point, mr darren fletcher.

So much more to say… but… sigh…

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