PETALING JAYA: Defender Nazirul Naim Che Hashim is the other Harimau Muda A player besides Wan Zack Haikal Wan Nor, to be offered a two-year playing contract with J-League Division Three outfit FC Ryukyu.

National Under-23 coach Ong Kim Swee said the Japanese club officials are convinced the duo will fit into their team.

“In principle, the club have agreed on all terms and conditions and only the paper work needs to be sorted out before they join their new club,” said Kim Swee yesterday.

The Ryukyu officials spotted attacking midfielder Wan Zack and flanker Wan Zaharulnisam Zakaria during the Asian final round qualifying tournament for the 2012 London Olympics.

Malaysia lost 2-0 in Fukuoka and 4-0 in Kuala Lumpur.

The duo attended a two-week trials with the club in Japan last June.

Kim Swee said the officials have opted for Nazirul ahead of Wan Zaharulnizam after the former impressed them during two trial sessions in Kuala Lumpur recently.

“It is important that they select players to start in the first team and not to warm the bench,” said Kim Swee.

“The officials said that they have more flankers in the team so they have decided to pick Nazirul ahead of Wan Zaharulnisam.

“It is their call and we respect their decision.

“As for us, the bottom line is the boys get to play at a higher level.”

Nazirul is set to leave for Japan first as the competition has begun while Wan Zack will join him later after national duty playing in the Asian Cup qualifying match against Yemen.

Kim Swee and the Harimau Muda A squad preparing for the Myanmar SEA Games in December, will be leaving on Saturday for a five-month training-cum-playing stint in Slovakia.

Apart from the Slovakia stint (March-Aug), the Harimau Muda A boys will represent Malaysia at the World University Games in Kazan, Russia from July 6-17.

Meanwhile, the national football team will play Saudi Arabia in a friendly at the Shah Alam Stadium on Sunday.

Tickets are priced at RM20 for adults and RM5 for children below 12.

Tickets will be on sale from 4.30pm on match day.

The Asian Cup qualifying match against Yemen is scheduled at the Shah Alam Stadium on March 22.

Tickets are priced at RM30 for adults and RM5 for children below 12.

Tickets can also be purchased online via www.tickethotline.com.my.

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