Cklamovski sees 'massive' Cape Verde test
KUALA LUMPUR: "They're going to be physical. They're going to be strong. They're going to be fast. They're going to be direct."
That is how national coach Peter Cklamovski described Harimau Malaya's opponents, Cape Verde, in tomorrow's international friendly at KLFA Stadium.
"It's about how we absorb that challenge and put our football in to challenge them. I'm excited about that," said Australian Cklamovski at a pre-match press conference today.
And above all this, World No. 72 Cape Verde are ranked much higher than world No. 131 Malaysia.
The African side, who are preparing for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, are unlike the lowly teams like Timor Leste and Nepal that Malaysia usually played against in friendlies in recent years.
Cklamovski said he hopes that the match against Cape Verde will help sharpen Malaysia for the crucial Asian Cup qualifier against Vietnam on June 10.
"We want to build up our mentality that wherever we play, whoever we play, in whatever conditions we play, we play our football," said Cklamovski.
"Importantly, we use it as a game where we build up our fitness and take another step forward as a team. We have a mentality that there's 11 captains on the field. Whoever plays, it doesn't matter who."
Cklamovski said it will be a "massive test" for Malaysia against Cape Verde in view of his players' current physical condition following the M-League off-season break.
"The most important thing about football is your next match and respect everybody that we play against, and we'll certainly do that tomorrow night."
Malaysia will play another friendly against Cape Verde on June 3 at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil.
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