Shrewd selections, hopefully it works!

The National training squad list has been released by Datuk K. Rajagopal and mann, what an approach he has taken. The training squad was selected for the friendly against Australia at Canberra on 7th October.

A bright start for King Raja for the friendly against Australia but he has made drastic changes to the squad. The likes of Safiq Rahim, Ismail Faruqi, Ashaari Shamsuddin, Abdul Hadi Yahya, S, Chanturu, Shakir Shaari and Amirulhadi Zainal have been dropped from the squad.

No nonsense approach you may call but the players replacing them are not convincing at all. Mostly represented by the Harimau Muda players, facing an opposition like Australia, you need experience and guile in your squad.

Though it maybe a friendly, but K.Rajagopal has bring in the in form players into the squad. From the Malaysia Cup, they are many talents that are able to penetrate into the squad. The likes of Syahrul Azwari Ibrahim, Reuben Kathirpillai, and Muhd Faizal Muhammad are still young to face the Socceroos.

I expected the likes of Shakir Shaari, Failee Ghazali(who has been phenomenal for Perak), Hishamuddin Syaari, Mohd Aziz Ismail and Ashaari Shamsuddin to be selected. To my dismay none of them were selected and I was given a rude shock when Safiq wasn't selected.

The reason?He said that the message had always been there – “non-performing players will be dropped and the players understand this very well”.

First of all. the players that have been dropped, they have been playing well over 3 games in the Malaysia Cup. Though losing against, T Team last Saturday, Safiq was the bright spark for Selangor and created chances for himself during the game. 

Shakir Shaari, who has been an impressive in his holding role with Kelantan, merited a place in the squad but he was overlooked. His game which is almost similar to 'Juan Roman Riquelme's style could have been beneficial against the likes of Australia but King Raja has other ideas.

Ruben Kathirpillai, was a surprise inclusion. He was with the Olympic training squad but he wasn;t selected. So what is so special in him that he was selected for this training squad and beat the likes of Safiq and Shakir for the spot. He might have impressed in the Universiade at Shenzhen but if he is selected, what merits him a place in the squad?

He hasn't played in any age group competitions in Malaysia. He might have played with Selangor's president cup team but why wasn't he drafted into the main squad? He hasn't got any experience in the Malaysian league and the best he has played is in the University level. I'm hoping that K. Rajagopal proves me wrong with Ruben's selection.

It maybe an unorthodox selection by him but I'm just praying that Datuk K.R would do something with the squad he has and create a good impression in Canberra. For such a long time, we have been invited by such a strong opponent to play a A level friendly match.

To those overlooked by Rajagopal, do your best by playing your hearts out in the Malaysia Cup. Prove your manager wrong and make yourself count in the National team! Safiq, it's your time to shine now! Help Selangor to bounce back and also cheer your former coach, K. Devan!

Avinesh's verdict: Shrewd selections, I'm just praying that it works...I wanted to see the likes of Shakir, Syafiq and Ashaari trying to break open Australia's famed defence...=)