KUALA LUMPUR, March 30 (Bernama) -- Training during the Ramadan fasting month is a tricky task but that is something the head coaches of all the football teams have to deal with as they ramp up preparations for the 2024/2025 Malaysia League (M-League) season, which will kick off in May.

Fasting or not, all the head coaches continue to raise the intensity level to ensure their players are fully prepared for the long and challenging season ahead.

Otherwise, the players may not be mentally and physically fit, thus resulting in the team failing to hit the ground running and increasing the risk of players easily getting injured as they struggle to cope with the high-intensity matches.

It is no different for new Selangor FC coach Nidzam Jamil, whose priority is to have a proper balance between fitness level targets and the physical condition of players who are fasting without compromising on the performance of non-fasting players.

"Sometimes, Ramadan can be really tricky because Muslim players usually go to bed around 10 pm or 11 pm but now (during Ramadan), they are out on the pitch training at these times.

"Non-Muslim players, especially the imports, are also affected because they too will usually be in bed by 10 pm. But, here in Malaysia, they need to train at that time… it is a new culture for them, especially for newcomers like Ronnie (Fernandez). So, it is a bit tricky,” the Red Giants coach told Bernama.

There is no doubt that Nidzam wants his players to be in tip-top shape ahead of their opening league game and that's why he has maintained the same level of intensity in his training routine for the Ramadan period.

"The intensity level in training hasn't changed much. Usually, we will break fast at 7.30 pm and the players will be given time to consume easily digestible food and drinks. Our nutritionist will advise them on what kind of food they need to eat, when to eat and how to consume them.

"What is important is that everyone stays healthy and, at the end of our pre-season, on match day one, I will have 25 players who are fit and able to last the rigours of a long season,” he said.  

Nidzam explained that their training sessions during Ramadan are held in the evening because most of their players are Muslims, adding that it is not ideal for them to train in the daytime on an empty stomach.

The former Felda United FC coach said the Red Giants would usually train at 10 pm for about an hour and a half.

Nidzam, who used to be assistant head coach and interim head coach of Selangor, was handed the top post after Tan Cheng Hoe left the Red Giants, the 2023 Super League runners-up, earlier this year.

-- BERNAMA