NATIONAL coach B. Sathianathan is either very brave or has his faith misplaced as he prepared to leave for the Asean Championship with some bold statements yesterday.

If previous national coaches were never shy of pointing out how they had lacked time to prepare the squad for major assignments, Sathianathan said the opposite yesterday.

"The players are ready. We have had a very good preparation and mentally and physically, the players are also in good shape," said Sathianathan at Wisma FAM in Petaling Jaya. These are words that could come back to haunt Sathianathan as the FA of Malaysia (FAM) has set a final target for the squad.

Anything less, and FAM general secretary Lt Jen (rtd) Datuk Azzuddin Ahmad didn't mince his words, could cost Sathianathan a contract renewal.

"Everyone in FAM is judged on the Key Performance Indicator (KPI) and it is the same for Sathianathan. The target set is the final and once achieved, we will discuss the rest (contract)," said Azzuddin.
Sathianathan said he is up the challenge.

"I have a target to meet and I am confident that I have the players who can do so."

Malaysia are in Group B and open their campaign against Laos in Phuket on Saturday.

But it is Thailand and Vietnam, who complete the group, and who are the teams most likely to cost Sathianathan his job.

The coach, however, remains confident.

"FAM doesn't normally set targets but it has this time and this, I believe, is because FAM believes the team are strong.

"I believe we have a balanced squad with an average age of 24.7. The inclusion of the senior players, which some criticised, has given the team stability."

Sathianathan finalised his squad yesterday and the three players who won't board the plane to Phuket today are injured goalkeeper Badrul Zaman Halim and defenders Irwan Fadli and Ashaari Samsuddin.

THE SQUAD -- Mohd Helmi Eliza, Syed Adney Syed Hussein, Farizal Marlias, Juzaili Samion, Kaironnizam Shahbuddin, Norhafiz Zamani Misbah, Daudsu Jamaluddin, Aidil Zafuan, Norfarhan Mohammad, Azi Shahril, Indraputra Mahayuddin, Amirulhadi Zainal, Mohd Shukor Adan, Hardi Jaafar, Mohd Kyril Muhymeen, Mohd Zaquan Adha, Safee Sali, Hairuddin Omar, Nizaruddin Yusof , Asraruddin Putra, Faderin Kadir, S. Subramaniam. -- CHRISTOPHER RAJ