GARY Steven Robbat is on Dollah Salleh’s radar for the AFF Cup following the midfielder’s impressive performance in the national Under-23 team’s 4-0 win over Laos in Wednesday’s Asian Games Group A match in Incheon.
The 22-year-old is not in Dollah’s provisional list of 35 players for the AFF Cup but the national coach can make changes a month before the tournament.
Dollah, however, is worried that Robbat could get injured again from a back problem, which had kept him out for one year.
The player only returned to competitive football two months ago with Young Tigers A in the Queensland League in Australia.
“Robbat changed the tempo of the match when he came on as a substitute in the match.
“He was the only one who dared to take on defenders and also make passes upfront,” said Dollah, who was in Incheon on Wednesday for the match.
“However, I fear he could get injured again and furthermore, I have six midfielders in the training squad. I need to talk to my assistant coaches before deciding whether Robbat should be part of the training squad.”
If Robbat makes the squad, it will be his second outing in the AFF Cup after making his debut in 2012.
Except for Aidil Zafuan Radzak and Fadhli Shas, the coach was unimpressed with the performance of four others, who are in the AFF Cup provisional list, on Wednesday.
“Strikers Ahmad Hazwan Bakri and Norfarhan Muhammad with defender Zubir Azmi and midfielder Brendan Gan were not so impressive.
“Brendan, however, did better when he switched to the right-back position,” said Dollah.
Dollah will trim his squad to 24 players after the friendly with Terengganu on Sept 24.
Except for the injured S. Chanturu and Manaf Mamat, the other 23 trainees will be available for tomorrow’ match against Cambodia at Shah Alam Stadium. By Ajitpal Singh