Khairul sure Malaysia can upset

THE odds are stacked against them but the national men's futsal team believe they can return with a silver medal from next month's Myanmar's Sea Games.

   Midfielder Khairul Effendy Bahrin said his team have grown in strength and can match the best in the region.

   Malaysia are in Group A with Myanmar and Indonesia while defending champions Thailand, Vietnam and Laos make up Group B.

   Malaysia were silver medallist in the 2007 edition in Korat but finished fourth two years ago in Indonesia.

   Khairul said his team have improved under the guidance of Brazil-born coach Marcelo Serpa.

   "Since he came into the picture there has been a lot of improvement in the squad and this is why I am confident we can do well in Myanamr," said Khairul yesterday.

   "Thailand are the best team in the region with Vietnam coming close, but I believe we are capable of recording upsets."

   Khairul, 25, who plays for Selangor's PKNS FC in the FAM-Felda National Futsal League, first represented Malaysia in 2010 but took a temporary break from the sport a year later to focus on his studies.

   The Kuala Lumpur-born Khairul, however, was included in the national team earlier this year and since then has been a key figure in matches.

   Khairul's best career achievement was a silver in the Oceania Futsal Championship in June. Malaysia lost 5-1 to Australia in the final.

   The other PKNS players in the Sea Games training squad are Qaiser Heshaam Abdul Kadir and Saiful Aula Ahmad.

   "We have narrowed the gap with Thailand and Vietnam. I believe we can give them a tough time," said Khairul.

   Thailand and Vietnam are no strangers to Khairul as he was on the losing end against both sides at the Asian Futsal Federation Invitational Tournament earlier this year.

   "We lost both the matches 2-0 and it is actually a good sign for us. Thailand used to put nothing less than five goals past us," Khairul added.

   In women's futsal, Malaysia are in Group B with Thailand, Laos, Timor Leste while Myanmar, Vietnam, Indonesia and the Philippines make up Group A.

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