Mahathevan’s height could be key in match against Man United

By ERIC SAMUEL

PETALING JAYA: Rookie G. Mahathevan is one of the rare breed of players who stand out in the national football team.

The 21-year-old Shahzan Muda midfielder stands at 1.9m (6’3”) and he is the tallest player in the 28-member squad preparing for a friendly match against English Premier League champions Man­chester United at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil on Saturday.

Coach K. Rajagopal has a special reason to pick Mahathevan, who he believes would be a big asset to the team in aerial ball situations.

“I am looking at every possible way to strengthen the national team. It can be experience, skill and even physical abilities, especially the height factor. You never know when they will come in handy in a game,” said Rajagopal.

However, Mahathevan, who plays a central midfield role in the Premier League, has a fight on his hands to win a place in the final squad of 20 players for the match against the Red Devils.

He will have to vie with more established players from Super League sides, among them Shafiq Rahim (KL Plus), Amar Rohidan (Perlis) and Bunyamin Umar (UPB MyTeam) and even K. Gurusamy of Premier League leaders Harimau Muda.

“I have a long way to go in terms of playing experience but I am game to give it a shot,” said Mahathevan, who is doing his final year for a diploma in mechanical engineering in Kuantan.

Mahathevan, who is noted for his aerial ability and interception of long crosses, is a big fan of French football legend Zinedine Zidane.

He has also earned a call-up to the national Under-23 squad for the Laos SEA Games in December. But he has yet to play a full match for the national team. He came in as a substitute in friendly matches against Singapore, Indonesia and Zimbabwe.

Mahathevan was not fielded in the second friendly match against Zimbabwe at the Shah Alam Stadium last night.

Malaysia, who defeated Zimbab­we 4-0 in the first match at the KL Football Stadium last Sunday, trooped out as winners again with a solitary goal by rightback V. Thirumurugan in the 39th minute.

Malaysia dominated play from the start but Zimbabwe packed their defence to frustrate the hosts.