Davies looks to continue U22 form with Malaysia senior team

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BY        ZULHILMI ZAINAL       Follow on Twitter

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After a silver medal-winning run with Malaysia U22 in the recent SEA Games, Pahang defender and captain Matthew Davies is excited to return to the Malaysia senior team.

The Australian-born right back, along with five of his Young Tigers teammates, has recently been called up by Malaysia head coach Nelo Vingada for the first time, for their October 10 Asian Cup qualification group match against Hong Kong. Although Davies has featured regularly for the Malaysia senior team last year under former boss Datuk Ong Kim Swee, he missed the last few call-ups due to injury and his duty with Malaysia U22.

"I'm excited to return to the national team, I've been missing the last few call-ups due to (duty with) U22 and an injury.

"I want to prove myself to Nelo as I'm yet to play under him, I look to forward to doing that," said the 22-year old defender when contacted by Goal.

Asked about what the team can expect from the inclusion of him and his five Malaysia U22 teammates, Davies responded that he wants them to carry over their good form into the senior team.

"We had a good run with Malaysia U22, so we'll be looking to bringing that form and consistency into the senior team.

"Although it's a big step up from the underage to the full international level, hopefully we can contribute something to an already very good squad," he remarked.

When asked to comment on the recent postponement of the Asian Cup qualifiers match against DPR Korea, which had initially been scheduled to take place in Pyongyang on October 5, a rescheduled date itself following prior postponements, the former Perth Glory man admitted that the Malaysia camp is a little exasperated by the decision.

However, he was quick to add that the team are essentially relieved at not having to play the much-delayed encounter now. 

"It's slightly frustrating that it keeps getting delayed, but in overall there's a lot of relief with the decision to postpone the game and not have to go to DPR Korea.

"Although we'd like to have the game done by now, we're ultimately happy with the outcome and patiently await the decision on the new date," noted Davies.