FAM receive hefty bonus after Kim Swee’s men qualify for Under-23 Finals
BY ERIC SAMUEL
Surprise package: The national team defied the odds to emerge as Group H champions in the AFC Under-23 qualifiers in Bangkok last month. — GLENN GUAN / The Star
PETALING JAYA: More goodies have been announced for the national football team who defied the odds to qualify for the 2018 AFC Under-23 Championship in China.
The Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) received a windfall of RM4mil from the Sultan of Johor Sultan Ibrahim Ibni Almarhum Sultan Iskandar (pic) yesterday.
FAM secretary-general Datuk Hamidin Mohd Amin said the gift from the Sultan of Johor “is part of the bonus for the Malaysian team”.
“I would like to thank His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim Ibni Almarhum Sultan Iskandar, the Sultan of Johor, for gifting RM4mil to FAM. The contribution will help in the development of Malaysian football,” Hamidin said in a statement posted on the FAM website yesterday.
Malaysia emerged as Group H champions in the AFC Under-23 qualifiers in Bangkok last month to book an automatic spot in the 2018 AFC Cup Under-23 Finals in China.
The national Under-23 team, coached by Datuk Ong Kim Swee, collected six points from three matches to pip host Thailand (five points).
They defeated Indonesia 3-0 and Mongolia 2-0 but lost 3-0 to Thailand. The Thais finished runners-up after being held to 1-1 draws by Mongolia and Indonesia.
Indonesia finished third in the group.
The 10 group winners and the best five runner-up teams will join host China in the Finals next year.
Hamidin had earlier announced that the 22-member squad would receive RM6,000 each.
It looks like more rewards are expected to come their way.
The national Under-23 squad are focusing their attention on winning the gold medal at the Kuala Lumpur SEA Games from Aug 14-29.
Malaysia will open their SEA Games football competition in Group A against Brunei on Aug 14.
The national Under-23 team, who last won the gold at the 2011 Jakarta Games, will then face Singapore (Aug 16), Myanmar (Aug 21) and Laos (Aug 23).
Malaysia will play all their group matches at 8.45pm at the Shah Alam Stadium. The semi-finals is on Aug 26 and final on Aug 29.
Defending champions Thailand are in Group B with Indonesia, Vietnam, Timor Leste, Cambodia and the Philippines.
Read more at http://www.thestar.com.my/sport/football/2017/08/03/a-gift-4-you-fam-receive-hefty-bonus-after-kim-swees-men-qualify-for-under23-finals/#jrAXlZ2EIeEKzruC.99
