Latest news with #EliteGames
The Star
13 hours ago
- Sport
- The Star
Nafuzi adopts bold approach to evaluate players ahead of AFF U-23 C'ship
PETALING JAYA: With time ticking ahead of the AFF Under-23 Championship in Jakarta, Malaysia coach Nafuzi Zain is taking a bold approach in evaluating players – he has rolled out a series of internal sparring matches called the Elite Games. The initiative, which runs from June 22-25, aims to provide a testing ground for 26 of the nation's most promising young footballers. It's a critical phase for Nafuzi, who has less than a month to shape a squad capable of navigating a tricky Group A that features the Philippines (July 15), Brunei (July 18), and hosts Indonesia (July 21) at the iconic Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in Jakarta. 'We have a lot of youngsters who represent the future of Malaysian football,' said Nafuzi. 'This Elite Games phase allows us to monitor these players closely before our centralised camp starts on July 1.' Nafuzi, known for his keen eye for youth development from his days with Terengganu and Kedah, is putting faith in locally based players, as the AFF U-23 Championship will feature a fully domestic squad. 'It's a short window to evaluate and prepare, but this platform gives us clarity on the boys' technical abilities, mental strength and how they respond in competitive situations,' he added. Complementing the talent pool are players like centreback Ubaidullah Shamsul and striker Haqimi Azim Rosli, who have trained with the senior squad. That stint, according to Nafuzi, offered invaluable exposure and a taste of the standards required at the highest level. 'We're working closely with coach Peter (Cklamovski), and the playing style we're adopting mirrors the national team's. That's essential for continuity and long-term development.'
The Sun
17 hours ago
- Sport
- The Sun
FAM introduces ‘Elite Games' project to scout future Harimau Malaya talents
THE Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) has introduced the 'Elite Games' project aimed at scouting talented young players with the potential to don the Harimau Malaya jersey in the future. National Under-23 (U-23) head coach Mohd Nafuzi Zain said an initial group of 26 players from across the country will be called up for the project's first camp, scheduled from June 23 to 26. He said the inaugural camp also formed part of preparations to shortlist 30 players for centralised training ahead of the ASEAN U-23 Championship 2025, to be held in Jakarta from July 15 to 29. 'We have many young players with potential, so the Elite Games initiative is to monitor them in preparation for the ASEAN U-23 Championship. 'We'll bring in players from June 23 to 25 for a short stint, during which we'll conduct sparring games where players compete against each other. If they perform well, they stand a chance of being included in the 30-man squad for the ASEAN U-23 central training camp,' he told reporters today. He said the centralised training for the ASEAN U-23 tournament will run from July 1 to 12 before the team departs for Jakarta on July 13. Malaysia have been drawn into Group A alongside host nation Indonesia, the Philippines and Brunei for the ASEAN U-23 Championship 2025, which runs from July 15 to 29 in Jakarta. The national U-23 side will kick off their campaign against the Philippines on July 15, followed by matches against Brunei on July 18 and Indonesia on July 21. The top two teams from each group will advance to the semi-finals scheduled for July 25, with the third-place playoff and final set for July 29. Meanwhile, Harimau Malaya technical director Tan Cheng Hoe said the 'Elite Games' project was the result of discussions with national team head coach Peter Cklamovski and Mohd Nafuzi. He said beyond the ASEAN U-23 tournament, the initiative will also help Mohd Nafuzi prepare for the AFC U-23 Asian Cup Qualifiers 2026 from Sept 3–9 and the 2025 SEA Games in Thailand, scheduled from Dec 9-20. Cheng Hoe also expressed hope that the programme could be held monthly, with a focus on identifying emerging talent from U-20 and U-18 players nationwide, who could later be included in the Harimau Malaya squad.
New Straits Times
18 hours ago
- Sport
- New Straits Times
FAM introduces 'Elite Games' project to scout future Harimau Malaya talents
PETALING JAYA: The Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) has introduced the 'Elite Games' project aimed at scouting talented young players with the potential to don the Harimau Malaya jersey in the future. National Under-23 (U-23) head coach Mohd Nafuzi Zain said an initial group of 26 players from across the country will be called up for the project's first camp, scheduled from June 23 to 26. He said the inaugural camp also formed part of preparations to shortlist 30 players for centralised training ahead of the ASEAN U-23 Championship 2025, to be held in Jakarta from July 15 to 29. "We have many young players with potential, so the Elite Games initiative is to monitor them in preparation for the ASEAN U-23 Championship. "We'll bring in players from June 23 to 25 for a short stint, during which we'll conduct sparring games where players compete against each other. If they perform well, they stand a chance of being included in the 30-man squad for the ASEAN U-23 central training camp," he told reporters today. He said the centralised training for the ASEAN U-23 tournament will run from July 1 to 12 before the team departs for Jakarta on July 13. Malaysia have been drawn into Group A alongside host nation Indonesia, the Philippines and Brunei for the ASEAN U-23 Championship 2025, which runs from July 15 to 29 in Jakarta. The national U-23 side will kick off their campaign against the Philippines on July 15, followed by matches against Brunei on July 18 and Indonesia on July 21. The top two teams from each group will advance to the semi-finals scheduled for July 25, with the third-place playoff and final set for July 29. Meanwhile, Harimau Malaya technical director Tan Cheng Hoe said the 'Elite Games' project was the result of discussions with national team head coach Peter Cklamovski and Mohd Nafuzi. He said beyond the ASEAN U-23 tournament, the initiative will also help Mohd Nafuzi prepare for the AFC U-23 Asian Cup Qualifiers 2026 from Sept 3–9 and the 2025 SEA Games in Thailand, scheduled from Dec 9-20. Cheng Hoe also expressed hope that the programme could be held monthly, with a focus on identifying emerging talent from U-20 and U-18 players nationwide, who could later be included in the Harimau Malaya squad. – BERNAMA
Malay Mail
20 hours ago
- Sport
- Malay Mail
FAM launches ‘Elite Games' to scout next-gen Harimau Malaya stars, says national U-23 coach
PETALING JAYA, June 19 — The Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) has introduced the 'Elite Games' project aimed at scouting talented young players with the potential to don the Harimau Malaya jersey in the future. National Under-23 (U-23) head coach Mohd Nafuzi Zain said an initial group of 26 players from across the country will be called up for the project's first camp, scheduled from June 23 to 26. He said the inaugural camp also formed part of preparations to shortlist 30 players for centralised training ahead of the Asean U-23 Championship 2025, to be held in Jakarta from July 15 to 29. 'We have many young players with potential, so the Elite Games initiative is to monitor them in preparation for the Asean U-23 Championship. 'We'll bring in players from June 23 to 25 for a short stint, during which we'll conduct sparring games where players compete against each other. If they perform well, they stand a chance of being included in the 30-man squad for the Asean U-23 central training camp,' he told reporters today. He said the centralised training for the Asean U-23 tournament will run from July 1 to 12 before the team departs for Jakarta on July 13. Malaysia have been drawn into Group A alongside host nation Indonesia, the Philippines and Brunei for the Asean U-23 Championship 2025, which runs from July 15 to 29 in Jakarta. The national U-23 side will kick off their campaign against the Philippines on July 15, followed by matches against Brunei on July 18 and Indonesia on July 21. The top two teams from each group will advance to the semi-finals scheduled for July 25, with the third-place playoff and final set for July 29. Meanwhile, Harimau Malaya technical director Tan Cheng Hoe said the 'Elite Games' project was the result of discussions with national team head coach Peter Cklamovski and Mohd Nafuzi. He said beyond the Asean U-23 tournament, the initiative will also help Mohd Nafuzi prepare for the AFC U-23 Asian Cup Qualifiers 2026 from Sept 3-9 and the 2025 SEA Games in Thailand, scheduled from Dec 9-20. Cheng Hoe also expressed hope that the programme could be held monthly, with a focus on identifying emerging talent from U-20 and U-18 players nationwide, who could later be included in the Harimau Malaya squad. — Bernama
