Kuala lumpur: Palestine described their friendly match against Malaysia tomorrow as an important platform to test new combinations in preparation for the Asian Cup and World Cup. Head coach Ehab Abu Jazar said his squad faced challenges with several key players sidelined due to injuries, but the match would serve as a valuable opportunity to assess the potential of new call-ups.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Ehab emphasized the significance of the match, not only for testing new players but also due to its impact on their FIFA ranking. He noted that around nine to ten new faces have joined the squad, providing them with a chance to prove themselves despite the absence of some key players due to injuries.

Ehab also highlighted the challenges faced at the beginning of the season, where preparation periods varied and many players had not participated in competitive matches for a month, leading to muscle injuries. He mentioned that tomorrow’s lineup would feature a blend of experienced players and newcomers, with some having been with the national team since 2013.

The coach listed Mohammed Saleh, Assad Al Hamlawi, Mohamad Hebous, Amid Mahajna, Musab Al Batat, and Muath Barhous among the players who would be unavailable for the match due to injuries.

On the opposing team, Ehab acknowledged Malaysia’s progress, particularly with the inclusion of naturalised players, and their pace and aggressive style of play. He praised Malaysia as a strong team, ready for the challenge despite missing a few players themselves, and anticipated an exciting atmosphere due to local fan support.

Midfielder Oday Kharoub, who previously played in Malaysia as the captain of Kelantan Darul Naim (KDN) FC, expressed his respect for all Malaysian players, noting the significant changes in the team since their last encounter, especially with the addition of naturalised players.

For context, Malaysia recently defeated Singapore 2-1 in a Tier 1 international friendly match at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil last Thursday.