The second leg of the Overseas Training Camp 2023 saw the U14 and U16 girls' teams from the National Development Centre (NDC), alongside a combined U14 boys' squad from the School Football Academy (SFA), soaking up valuable lessons in Kuala Lumpur over seven days of training, exhilarating matches, and insightful sharing sessions.
The 66-strong squad faced youth teams from notable clubs like Selangor Sports School, Sime Darby FC, and Villareal Malaysia, and trained at the state-of-the-art Radia Arena.
"Training abroad will prove hugely beneficial for their football & personal development. Being tested by new playing styles helps stretch the players’ technical skills, and adapting to new environments will shape their mental toughness and maturity," said SFA combined head coach Luis Martinez.
For many of the players, this marked their first encounter playing on foreign soil. Throughout the seven days of centralised training and competition, they fully immersed themselves into the daily routine of professional footballers.
Living together and adhering to an intensive schedule of practice and games provided valuable exposure to the demands, teamwork, and perseverance required for them to excel.
Here’s what our players had to say about the overseas training camp:
Reflecting on the experience, Luftan Amsyar, SFA Combined U14 footballer, emphasised the importance of resilience and teamwork in football. He stated, "It's crucial to have each other's backs and come back stronger together, especially when facing challenges."
Rayna Balqis, NDC U14 footballer, expressed her sentiment, “Being part of this overseas training trip was a great feeling for me, it was a memorable experience to be able to play against opponents from a different country.”
Watch the video here to catch highlights of the team's experience in KL.
Videographed by Mashidayat Maszeni
Video edited by Creativesatwork
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