Women’s team hope to win over fans

THE national women’s football team have a mission – to win over the fans.

Coach Mohd Asyraaf Fong Abdullah believes a good showing in the Kuala Lumpur SEA Games will gain them fans as well as boost the profile of the game in the country.

“The players are motivated to prove that women’s football has a future here. We aim to win over the fans and hope they will come and support the team.

“We are improving but we don’t get much attention. I am sure with the right kind of support we will be a better team in the future,” said Asyraaf.

Malaysia have competed in seven Games but have only won a silver at the 1995 Chiang Mai SEA Games.

At the KL Games, five teams – Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, Myanmar and the Philippines – are involved in the round-robin tournament.

Malaysia, the world No. 80, will open their campaign against 71st-ranked Philippines at the UiTM Stadium in Shah Alam tonight (8.45pm).

Asyraaf has set a bronze-medal target for his team, who were beaten 2-0 by India in a friendly last month and edged Singapore 1-0 in their last warm-up match last week.

Like Malaysia, the Philippines are also eyeing the bronze.

Said Philippines coach Marnelli Dimzon: “We’ve a young team, but we’re well prepared. We’ll try to do our best and hopefully win the bronze.”