Selangor are going through a rosy patch, having won the National Under-21 title in December and also bagging the National Under-16 crown earlier this year.
Amir Zulkarnain, who will be competing in his fourth and final Malaysia Games in Kangar, admitted that the team are currently at their strongest in recent years but downplayed the squad’s title winning prospects.
“I think Selangor have, in the past, often sent younger players to go and gain experience in competitions such as this as the state’s aim has been on building for the future,” said the 20-year-old defender.
“As a result, a lot of the players in this year’s team are quite mature, as we proved in the National Under-21 tournament in December.
“I believe we do have the quality to go far but I would not say we are absolutely confident we can win it.
“We did not make it past the group stages in the last three editions so making the last-four is our priority for the moment.
“Being overconfident can be costly. We cannot afford to lose focus.”
The Tunku Mahkota Ismail Sports School student, who looks up to Shukri Mutalib and Razie Rahim as role models, added that the team have prepared well for the tournament but is aware of the stern competition they will face in Kangar.
Selangor are in Group B with traditional giants Federal Territories (FT), Penang, Malacca, Negri Sembilan, Sarawak and Kelantan. Defending champions Terengganu have Sabah, Perlis, Perak and Johor for company in Group A.
“We have been training together since last year and have only gone back to our own clubs for the MHC Division One competition for a period of two months earlier this season.
“Looking at the other teams in our group, there are a lot of national junior players in there so it will not be easy by any means.
“Obviously FT and Perak will be very strong but I also expect Penang, Malacca and Negri to be among the favourites for the title.”
Selangor, who have never made the final of the Malaysia Games competition, open against Malacca tomorrow and play Negri on Sunday.