By Dan Guen Chin
JOHOR BAHARU, Aug 31 (Bernama) -- Now, for a bigger and sterner test at the 1st Asian Beach Games in Bali from Oct 18-26.
Following the euphoria of their victory at the Desaru Invitational Beach Soccer on Saturday, the Malaysian beach football squad must now look towards the Indonesian beach resort next month to gauge their performance in a bigger stage.
Their 4-2 win over favourite Thailand in the final was the result of some hard work and discipline but team manager Mustaza Ahmad believes it will be totally different in Bali.
"The 1st Asian Beach Games will be a true test because teams which have far more experience in competitive beach soccer at a much higher level, are going to be present.
"Japan and Middle East countries like Oman, Qatar, Iran and United Arab Emirates have lots of experience. It will be hard for us to match them," he said. That is why, he is asking the FA of Malaysia, through the National Sports Council (NSC), to allow the team to assemble at the NSC and train at the Beach Volleyball Park within the NSC sports complex in Bukit Jalil.
"We need better preparation to face our opponents in Bali. To tell the truth, we only had a week of training before we came to Desaru and yet we won.
"But Bali, where the giants of Asian beach soccer will gather, will be a different story. We have to be well prepared," said Mustaza.
-- BERNAMA