KELANA JAYA: The national team, under newly appointed coach Tan Cheng Hoe, will open their 2018 international campaign against minnows Mongolia at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil on March 22.
The friendly will be used by Cheng Hoe to prepare his charges for their final Asian Cup qualifying Group B match against Lebanon on March 27 in Beirut.
FAM general-secretary Datuk Hamidin Mohd Amin said a comprehensive plan for the national team will be finalised after the match against Lebanon for the AFF Cup later this year.
Cheng Hoe said: “It will be tough to get friendly matches during the World Cup (on June 14-July 15).”
“We are trying to secure a friendly in July. There will be available Fifa dates for matches in September and October,” said the coach.
Cheng Hoe, who will be assisted by Aminuddin Hussin and S. Balachandran, is expected to call up several players from Ong Kim Swee’s youth team who shone in last month’s AFC Under-23 Championships for senior matches.
The 50-year-old assisted former national coach Nelo Vingada before the Portuguese resigned in December. His contract will expire in December.
Hamidin said: “Cheng Hoe’s contract extension will depend on his team’s performance this year.
Translated from Berita Harian