National Under-22 coach Datuk Ong Kim Swee is more than pleased to have his full squad of 27 players in time for KL2017.

With exactly five days to go to their opening game against Brunei, the former international will need to get things right as he look to trim the squad before the final day of registration.

“I have decided to make some changes to the playing positions as we need to make sure that we have the right cover in reserves,” said Kim Swee.

“The problem previously is that we did not have depth. But this time round, it is different. We have several utility players who can make the difference.

Kim Swee, who guided the team to the SEA Games gold in 2011 in Jakarta,  admitted that the fitness of the team is still a work-in progress due to a hectic schedule in the M-League.

“We’ve received reports that certain players are down with fatigue and injuries. For the past two days of training, I have rested a few of my players such as Amirul Hisyam Awang Kechik, Ariff Farhan and Syamer Kutty Abba.

“Aside from that, we have Dominic Tan who has not been playing for a month. So in terms of match fitness, he still has a lot to catch up.”

It is learnt that striker S. Kumaahran has joined the crock list after sustaining a hamstring injury. Meanwhile, midfielder Khairul Anuar Zamri is expected to rejoin the team once again after a two-month rehab. – BY ALVIN OH

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