Thais, Singaporeans predict a Malaysian victory

Kuantan (13 September, 2013): Thailand and Singapore have picked Malaysia to win the 41st Merdeka Tournament at the Darulmakmur Stadium tomorrow night.

Thai coach Kairung Threejagsang believes Ong Kim Swee’s Harimau Muda A have the firepower and an array of players to pick from in their arsenal for the epic battle against Myanmar.

“There are many good players in the Malaysian squad. Your No 10 (Wan Zack Haikal) is very dangerous player and also No 21 (Muhammad Nazmi Faiz). It is going to be a very good match,” said Kairung as he prepares his side to face Singapore in the match for third placing tomorrow.

“Myanmar also has good players but in my personal opinion, Malaysia has a very balanced side,” added Kairung. “We saw that when we played the hosts in our last match. We lost 3-0 despite the Malaysians playing several players from the reserve bench,” added Kairung, who is an assistant coach to Thailand’s Under-23 head coach Kiatisuk Senamaung.

Dry weather and strong support from the fans, said Kairung, are two important elements which could help Malaysia’s cause in ensuring victory.

Singapore assistant coach K. Balagumaran, though rather reserved in his prediction, says the hosts have the upper hand judging from the home support and Malaysia’s level of confidence having qualified for the final unscathed.

“If you look at past records, they played good games in the last three matches. But in a final, predictions can go wrong too as Myanmar will be equally fired up to win the title. They did that before and will be out to win this time,” said Balagumaran.

FIXTURES:

Sept 14 (Saturday): Third-fourth placing playoff (5.30pm); Final (8.45pm). Both matches will be played at Stadium Darul Makmur.

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For further information please contact:

Christopher Raj

Shekhinah PR / 012 – 2161881

chris@shekhinah.my

Johan

Shekhinah PR /012 – 5152812

johan@shekhinah.my