Birthday boy Platt glad to be back (The Malay Mail)

ENGLAND midffelder David Platt will be celebrating his 25th birthday today
in Kuala Lumpur, but it is not the first time he will be celebrating his
birthday away from home, reports TONY MARIADASS.
   Platt arrived with the England team last night from New Zealand to
play their last match - against the Malaysian team - of their four-match
tour.
   They had earlier beaten Australia 1-0 and New Zealand 1-0 and 2-0.
   For Platt, who plays for Aston Villa, this is his second visit to
Kuala Lumpur in a month.
   Last month, Platt was here with the Aston Villa team, who played
Kuala Lumpur, and scored a goal in their 2-1 victory. Earlier, he had
played in Kuching against Sarawak.
   However, Platt did not stay back for the match against the national
team which Villa won 4-0 as he had to return to England to don national
colours against Russia.
   Platt said that he was happy to be back in Malaysia.
   "I had very good impressions of Malaysia when I was here last month
and I am glad that I am back again," said the friendly Platt.
   On his birthday today, Platt said that nothing special was being
organised.
   "I am so used to celebrating my birthday away from home and I really
do not make anything out of it.
   "The last time I celebrated my birthday away from home was in Italy
last year during the World Cup."
   On the match against Malaysia, Platt said that all the players,
including himself, are looking forward to it.
   "We really do not know who will be playing on Wednesday as the
manager (Graham Taylor) has still not decided on the lineup.
   "But it I am on the list, I definitely want to do well in fact, all
of us want to do well and keep our 11-match unbeaten record under Taylor
intact.
   "This match against Malaysia is of significance to us because this
will be the last match of this season. Thus, we want to end it on a
winning note after which we will be looking forward to the European
championships."
   * Meanwhile, David Platt was looking forward to working under the new
manager of Aston Villa, Ron Atkinson.
   "I had worked under Ron as a youth with Manchester United during the
1984/85 season," said Platt.
   "But I was just a youth player then and saw no first team action with
Manchester United.
   "However, I enjoved every minute under Ron and am looking forward to
working under him again as a first team member."
   On Josef Venglos resignation, Platt said that it was a difficult year
for the Czechoslovakian World Cup coach.
                                 (END)