15-05-2025
'Cape Verde friendly a risk outside FIFA window'
PETALING JAYA: Harimau Malaya coach Peter Cklamovski has admitted that playing Cape Verde on May 29 will be a major challenge — not only due to limited preparation time, but also because the match falls outside the Fifa international window, raising concerns over player welfare.
This raises concerns, as any injuries sustained during the match would not be covered by the FIFA Club Protection Programme, which only compensates clubs for injuries occurring during official windows.
The nearest sanctioned window runs from June 2-10.
Malaysia's second match against world No. 72 Cape Verde — a closed-door test on June 3 at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil — will fall within the window.
"That's a tricky question," said Cklamovski at Wisma FAM on Thursday.
"If we play on May 29, I'm not sure what the FIFA protocol says. We'll have to get the organisation (FA of Malaysia) to look into that.
"But I know with Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim's support, vision and intent, all the players and staff are well looked after."
Cklamovski also pointed out that playing a match just 11 days into a national team training camp is highly irregular, comparing it to a club being asked to play a key fixture less than two weeks into pre-season.
"When do clubs play big matches 11 days into their pre-season? Very rare," he said.
"This is a unique situation. The players have just had four weeks off. We've built a plan to get the best out of them — rest first, then come in full steam to take on tough opponents."
The Australian tactician is also looking ahead, having confirmed the integration of former Everton midfielder Jose Baxter into the national set-up.
Baxter replaces Mark Milligan in the senior team coaching unit but will also serve as a bridge to the national Under-23 squad.
"He'll be with us for this camp — that's an appointment we've had in place for a while," said Cklamovski.
"Baxter has been involved in the national coaching system, and now he'll assist coach Nafuzi Zain with the U-23s.
"That appointment is key. He will support Nafuzi and drive our philosophy and DNA into the U-23s, which is vital for our future.
"He contributes to the senior team and also helps inject that same DNA into the youth set-up."
Cklamovski also addressed player mentality heading into the Cape Verde and Vietnam fixtures, especially after an extended off-season.
"We're handling the physical side carefully, but the mental part is just as important," he said.
"The win against Nepal gave us momentum, and we've got to keep building on that."
Malaysia defeated Nepal 2-0 in their Asian Cup Group F qualifying opener on March 25 at the Sultan Ibrahim Stadium in Iskandar Puteri.
Next up is a massive test against regional rivals Vietnam in Bukit Jalil on June 10.
Malaysia have not beaten Vietnam in over a decade — their last win was a 4-2 triumph in Hanoi during the 2014 AFF Cup semi-final second leg, giving them a 5-4 win on aggregate.
They lost 4-3 on aggregate to Thailand in the final.
"We've got three weeks to prepare for Vietnam," said Cklamovski.
