Harimau Malaya’s Captain Rejoins Team, Boosting Performance
SEPANG, Nov 12 (Bernama) — Young national defender Harith Haiqal Adam Afkar is thrilled that team captain Dion Cools has rejoined the Harimau Malaya ahead of two Tier 1 international friendly matches this month.
Cools’ Return Expected to Boost Team’s Performance
Harith, who made his senior debut when Malaysia lost 0-4 to New Zealand last month, believes Cools’ return will have a positive impact on the team’s performance in their upcoming matches against Laos at Pat Stadium, Bangkok, this Thursday and India at Gachibowli Stadium, Hyderabad, next Monday.
Cools’ Unique Leadership Style
The Selangor FC player praised Cools’ unique leadership style, saying that he is a captain unlike any he has seen before. "Definitely (Cools can improve the team’s performance) because I would say he is a captain unlike any I have seen before, so when he’s there, the team’s aura changes," Harith said.
Harith Excited to Partner with Cools
During his senior debut last month, Harith did not have the opportunity to play alongside Cools, who had to withdraw from the team due to family matters, thus affecting the team’s performance, especially in defence. Therefore, Harith is excited at the prospect of partnering with the Buriram United defender this time.
"If given the chance to pair with Dion (Cools), I think that experience will be greatly beneficial. Although we haven’t played together, we have trained in previous camps, and he is an excellent, high-quality player with great leadership," Harith said.
More U-23 Players in the Current Team
Additionally, Harith expressed happiness with the presence of more of his former teammates from the Under-23 (U-23) squad in the current team, including Muhammad Ubaidullah Shamsul Fazili, seeing it as an opportunity for them to gain valuable experience.
Preparation for ASEAN Championship
The matches against Laos and India this month are also part of Pau Marti Vicente’s preparation to get the team ready for the ASEAN Championship set to begin next month. Malaysia, who won the championship in 2010, have been drawn into Group A along with defending champions Thailand, Cambodia, Singapore, and Timor-Leste.
Conclusion
Harith’s comments highlight the importance of Cools’ return to the team and the positive impact it is expected to have on the team’s performance. With more U-23 players in the current team, Malaysia is well-prepared to take on the challenges of the upcoming matches and the ASEAN Championship.
FAQs
Q: What is the significance of Cools’ return to the team?
A: Cools’ return is expected to boost the team’s performance and morale.
Q: How does Harith expect to benefit from partnering with Cools?
A: Harith believes that partnering with Cools will provide him with valuable experience and help him improve his game.
Q: What is the team’s preparation strategy for the ASEAN Championship?
A: The team is preparing for the ASEAN Championship by playing friendly matches against Laos and India this month.