Insa, Corbin-Ong among 15 new faces called up for centralised training

KUALA LUMPUR: Johor Darul Ta'zim's (JDT) Natxo Insa and La'Vere Corbin-Ong are among 15 new faces called up by Harimau Malaya coach Tan Cheng Hoe for centralised training at Wisma Persatuan Bola Sepak Malaysia (FAM), Kelana Jaya from this Sunday.
The FA of Malaysia (FAM) in a statement here today said that besides the duo, Cheng Hoe had also called up Sabah captain Rawilson Batuil and Kedah midfielder Muhammad Ariff Farhan Mat Isa.
Cheng Hoe who was appointed coach of the national team on Dec 7, also shortlisted nine Under-23 players who helped Malaysia reach the quarter-finals of the AFC 2018 Under-23 championship in China in Jan.
They are goalkeeper Muhammad Haziq Nadzli, Akhyar Rashid, Syazwan Andik Ishak, Irfan Zakaria, Matthew Davies, Syahmi Safari, Safawi Rasid, Nor Azam Abdul Azih and U-23 team captain Adam Nor Azlin.
The list also sees Cheng Hoe retaining 14 out of the 23 players brought to Buriram, Thailand for two Asia Cup 2019 qualifying matches against North Korea at Stadium I-Mobile, Buriram last Nov. Malaysia lost both matches.
The centralised training is to prepare the team for a Class A friendly against Mongolia at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil here on March 22.
The national squad, who failed to qualify for the Asia Cup 2019 finals in the United Arab Emirates, will be playing their final Group B match against Lebanon at Stadium Camille Chamoun Sports City, Beirut on March 27.
The team:
Goalkeepers: Haziq Nadzli (Johor Darul Ta'zim), Hafizul Hakim Khairul Nizam Jothy (Perak), Khairul Fahmi Che Mat (Kelantan);
Defenders: Muhd Fadhli Shas, Fazly Mazlan, S. Kunanlan, Adam Nor Azlin (Johor Darul Ta'zim), Irfan Zakaria (Kuala Lumpur), Matthew Davies (Pahang), Shahrul Saad (Perak), Kiko Insa (Bangkok Glass-Thailand), Mahalli Jasuli (PKNS FC), Rawilson Batuil (Sabah)
Midfielders: Safiq Rahim, Muhammad Nazmi Faiz Mansor, Afiq Fazail, Natxo Insa, La'Vere Corbin-Ong (Johor Darul Ta'zim)
Akram Mahinan dan Muhammad Ariff Farhan Mat Isa (Kedah), Syazwan Andik Ishak (Kuala Lumpur), Nor Azam Abdul Azih (Pahang), Wan Zack Haikal Wan Nor (Felda United), Syahmi Safari (Selangor)
Strikers: Ahmad Hazwan Bakri, Darren Lok, Safawi Rasid, Muhammad Syafiq Ahmad (Johor Darul Ta'zim); Akhyar Rashid (Kedah). — Bernama