Five national trainees from Kedah and Perak have been given exception from five series of friendly games in Slovakia that start on September 13 until Sept 27 as a preparation for Merdeka Cup Tournament in October.

According to national coach, B Sathianathan, the five players are Helmi Eliza, Shafizan Hashim and Khyril Muhymeen Zambri from Kedah and Hardi Jaafar and S. Subramaniam from Perak because their services needed for AFC Cup quarter final on Sept 16 and 23.

Treble winner team, Kedah will be flying to Bahrain for the first leg game meeting AFC Cup 2006 runner up, Al Muharraq. While Perak waiting for Safa SC from Lebanon.