MALAYSIA'S current Olympic side are probably one of the finest Under-21 national teams in recent times, and coach Ong Kim Swee believes his boys have the experience and pedigree to qualify for the 2012 London Games if they play to their potential.

In the training squad, Kim Swee has six players from the AFF Suzuki Cup-winning side and also trainees who have had short stints with the national senior squad over the past year.

The players have also become more confident after their stint in Slovakia, where they were exposed to high quality matches against second division teams. They will start their campaign in the Super League on Jan 29.

Going by the quality of the team, Kim Swee's side should maul Pakistan in their first round two-leg Olympic Qualifying match.

Kuala Lumpur will host the first leg on Feb 23 followed by the return leg in Lahore on March 9.

But Kim Swee does not want his boys to take their lowly opponents lightly.

"Although Pakistan have not registered exceptional results over the years, it does not mean they would be easy opponents. I need my boys to stay focused and serious about the match," said Kim Swee yesterday.

"I've done my homework on Pakistan. I've watched their matches on video recordings and also checked their background with the help of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC). They are a decent side."

Kim Swee said his team have been progressing steadily since their stint in Slovakia.

"My boys did not have the best starts in Slovakia but slowly improved and went on to record good results. The stint taught the boys to play more confident football," he added.

Among the players expected to play a key role in Malaysia's campaign in the Olympic Qualifiers are goalkeeper Khairul Fahmi Che Mat, Muslim Ahmad, Fadhli Shas, Mahali Jasuli, Faizal Mohd (defenders), K. Gurusamy, Gary Steven Robbat, Wan Zack Haikal (midfielders), Ahmad Fakri Saarani, Ahmad Shakir Ali, Izzaq Faris Ramlan, Syahrul Azwari Ibrahim and A. Thamil Arasu (forwards).

If Malaysia beat Pakistan, they will advance to the second round (knock out) of 24 teams on June 19 and June 23. The 12 winners from the second round will be drawn into three groups of four teams each, playing six matches from Sept 21 to March 14, 2012. -- AJITPAL SINGH