FORMER Mokhtar Dahari Academy (AMD) director Lim Teong Kim has called for the FA of Malaysia (FAM) to withdraw the Project squad, who have lost all their matches so far, from the Premier League.
Teong Kim said the Project squad, comprising 30 footballers aged 20 and below, should stop playing in the Premier League before the damage to their confidence becomes irreparable.
The former Bayern Munich Under-19 assistant coach also slammed the people behind the move to field the boys, who play as the FAM-NSC Project squad in the Premier League.
PSYCHOLOGICAL DAMAGE
Teong Kim, 57, said he can imagine the "psychological damage" to the Project players after they suffered five consecutive defeats in their league debut.
He stressed that the Project team's losing streak could adversely affect the players' "winning mentality".
"The load is too difficult, the game is tough and psychologically, the players must be feeling pressured, stressed and tense.
"So, how do they develop? I saw their game, they were just kicking (the ball) and I feel sorry for the boys because they just don't know what to do.
"When they are under pressure, they kick the ball away and if these people say it's good, then carry on. But for me, I've been working with youth players, I know what's good for them," said Teong Kim.
Notably, German World Cup winner Thomas Muller said two years ago Teong Kim was the coach behind his success as the Malaysian was responsible for developing his football foundation at Bayern Munich.
PROTECT PLAYERS
"I take an interest in players' development and these people (those behind the Project team) are killing these boys.
"As coaches, we must protect the players, not have a personal interest on certain things or your own agendas.
"The technical people need to know facts about development, protect the boys, because if the coaches don't do it, then who will, especially when they are still young?
"We also want them to have a winning mentality, which has nothing to do with winning but it is about having enough self-belief to know they can achieve what they set out to do."
YOUNG GUNS
The average age of the Project players is 17.23 years, far younger than their counterparts with the closest being Selangor FC II at 20.82. Kuching City FC players are the oldest, averaging at 30.26.
Thus, the Project youngsters are pitted against more mature, experienced and older opponents in the league.
"Young players can't play against senior teams because they need guidance, help and at times they need to be told what to do since they are inexperienced and unable to think for their teammates as they are only thinking for themselves (when on the field)," said Teong Kim.
"They need senior players to guide, leaders who will be able to lead the team and direct the players.
"Experience must be gained in gradual stages so that they can build up their confidence, get more touches of the ball and be comfortable enough to know what to in situations."
BALL TIME
Teong Kim revealed something alarming after watching the Project team's latest match, a 2-0 loss to Negri Sembilan.
"I looked at two players, Azhad Harraz Arman and Ubaidullah Shamsul Fazili and for 90 minutes of play, Azhad had only 23 seconds with the ball. Ubaidullah had only about five seconds for 90 minutes," said Teong Kim.
"In the Bundesliga (German league), the average is 45 seconds with the ball and that's the statistics. In Germany's win against Brazil (7-1 in 2014 World Cup), the average was 23 seconds for 90 minutes and this is the highest level of football.
"So, can you imagine what can they learn from the game and what football development are they talking about?
"For youngsters, the more touches you have, the better because it will build confidence, make them more composed and know how to get out of tight situations."
NOT GOOD ENOUGH?
Teong Kim questioned those who claimed that AMD players are not good enough to make the cut for M-League teams.
After observing the Project squad, he is curious why three of five AMD graduates are constantly starting.
"Coming up with an Under-19 programme is a good idea from the NSC (National Sports Council) but somehow it was 'hijacked' by FAM, using players outside of the AMD. So, why are there only five players (out of 16) from AMD (in the Project squad playing in the Premier League)? That defeats the purpose of setting this up.
"The idea was to give them an outlet (for those not signed by other teams). But out of 16 players (in the Project team), only five got to see league action, and only three of them were starting regularly," he said.
Teong Kim asked why goalkeeper Nabil Asyraf Ramli was playing since AMD players are said to be not good enough. Of the 16 players that started with AMD in 2003, only five made it to the Project team who also have other players from various sports schools.
"I want to know why, and why are they playing now if you said from the beginning they aren't good enough.
GAINING EXPERIENCE
"I'm not blaming the coach (Yusri Che Lah) because he was selected but I am asking the five individuals involved, Datuk Seri Subahan Kamal (former chairman of FAM technical and youth development committee), Datuk Ong Kim Swee (FAM technical director), Razip Ismail (FAM head of youth unit), Aminuddin Hussin and Richard Scully," said Teong Kim.
"These are the people who said this is good, but this is bad development because playing against senior players is totally wrong."
The Project squad are currently bottom of the Premier League table, having conceded 15 goals and scored four in five matches. They lost to Terengganu FC II (4-0), Kelantan (2-1), Selangor FC II (4-2), Police (3-1) and Negri Sembilan (2-0).
Kim Swee told Timesport recently that fans should not take a dim view of the Project squad's league losses. He stressed that the Project boys should not be judged by current results as their goal is long term — players' development.