KUALA LUMPUR – Harimau Muda’s recent win at the Merlion Cup came as a historical achievement as it was the first time the national U-22 squad lifted the trophy.
Head coach E. Elavarasan’s boys defeated Hong Kong 2-1 at Singapore’s Jalan Besar Stadium last Sunday, with Najmuddin Akmal Kamal Akmal and Safwan Mazlan scoring for the national junior squad.
Several players who were in the youth squad also made their senior team appearances, namely defender Ruventhiran, Azam Azmi, and goalkeeper Rahadiazli Rahalim, who were called up for the 2022 AFF Cup campaign.
Speaking to The Vibes, Elavarasan said the youngsters’ experience in the first team has given them the knowledge of being under Harimau Malaya head coach Kim Pan-gon.
“In the second team, we follow and adopt the style of play from the first team. Those players who have been called up to the senior team are already quite familiar with coach Pan-gon’s style.
“The style of play we use in the second team is about 80% to 90% similar to the senior team,” he said.
With the first team performing well after their win against Turkmenistan and Hong Kong in their recent Tier 1 International friendlies, Elavarasan said the results will also further motivate the youngsters.
“I am sure they are inspired. As football players, they surely want to represent the first team, especially when they are doing well.
“This is why their performance on the pitch is important because it will be recognised by coach Pan-gon, which will also give him more options for the first team’s call-up and create a bigger talent pool to choose from,” he said.
Meanwhile, Elavarasan added that being under Pan-gon’s guidance in the Harimau Malaya setup also allows him to share the South Korean’s philosophy with the young players.
“What coach Pan-gon is very good at is pushing the players to work together with his style of planning.
“I happen to be under his umbrella so I can also introduce the first team’s system and planning with our junior players.
“This way, they will already know the idea and system Pan-gon is looking for, so they are ready and able to execute what they have learned when they enter the first team,” he added.
The 61-year-old also said that the juniors’ performance will indirectly keep the senior players on their toes as having a good performing junior team will create healthy competition among the players to see who deserves to be in the senior team.
Elavarasan took over the role as national U-23 head coach in September last year, replacing Brad Maloney while maintaining his position as assistant coach for the senior team under Pan-gon. – The Vibes, March 30, 2023
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