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Duncan's Appointment Marks a New Era for Harimau Malaya’s Endurance and Performance – Experts

nabalunews


3 January 2025


KUALA LUMPUR: The appointment of Australian sports scientist Dr. Craig Duncan as the National Team's Head of High Performance and Sports Medicine is viewed as a strategic move to address the performance instability of the Harimau Malaya squad.


Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mohamad Nizam Nazarudin, a Senior Lecturer in Sports and Recreation at the Faculty of Education, National University of Malaysia (UKM), described this decision as timely, given the national team’s recent "yo-yo" performance patterns. Duncan's expertise aligns with the team's current need for transformation.


“I believe he is the right person to identify and address the factors contributing to the players' performance instability. His focus should include training load, adequate rest, nutrition, and the psychological well-being of the players,” he told Bernama.


Dr. Mohamad Nizam emphasised that a systematic training load management program is essential to help players achieve peak performance at the right times, avoiding fatigue and declining performance during competitions.


He also highlighted the necessity of reducing injury risks, which frequently hinder the team’s consistency, alongside ongoing monitoring of players’ performance and psychological factors for long-term development.


“We hope he can develop a programme aimed at minimizing injury risks and providing structured training tailored to the physiological needs and capabilities of the players,” said the former Head of Sports Science and Performance Analyst for Sabah FC from 2021 to 2023.


Additionally, he underscored the importance of all stakeholders, particularly the players, being open to the changes Duncan will implement within the national team.


Prof. Dr. Mohar Kassim, a Professor in the Department of High Performance Sports at the National Defence University of Malaysia (NDUM), also anticipates that Duncan's presence will positively influence the development of football in the country.


As president of the Malaysian Physical Education Association, he noted that the scientific approaches Duncan will introduce will greatly benefit players and serve as guidance for future coaches post-retirement.


He mentioned that exposure to performance assessment techniques—such as measuring cardiovascular endurance, speed, fitness, and muscle strength—will help players understand their physiological needs better.


“Players will appreciate being evaluated through scientific methods, gaining knowledge, experience, and skills essential for enhancing their personal performance. They will learn how to build their energy systems to sustain play beyond 90 minutes, even up to 120 minutes, through professional training. This transfer of learning will enhance our national football landscape,” he explained.


However, he cautioned that the success of Malaysian football hinges on professional management, strong leadership, and freedom from political interference.


“If these three key factors can be addressed, I believe Harimau Malaya has the potential to reclaim its status as a giant in Southeast Asia and beyond, reminiscent of its glorious past,” he stressed.


Yesterday, the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) announced Dr. Duncan's appointment as Head of High Performance and Sports Medicine, a pivotal role in the new organizational structure aimed at revolutionizing Harimau Malaya.


Last month, FAM also appointed Australia's Peter Cklamovski as the head coach of the Harimau Malaya squad and Mohd Nafuzi Zain as the head coach of the national Under-23 team, while former Canadian national player Robert Douglas Friend was named CEO of the national team.

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