Hodak wary of Timor Leste as semis spot beckons

PETALING JAYA: Malaysia are on course to qualify for the semifinals of the Asean Football Federation (AFF) Under19 Championship in Myanmar.

National Under19 coach Bojan Hodak’s boys lead the sixteam Group A with six points from two matches to be ahead of secondplaced Thailand on goal difference.

Malaysia defeated Laos 41 and Singapore 31 and a win against Timor Leste at the Aung San Stadium in Yangon today will virtually secure them a place in the last four.

But the Croatian coach expects fifthplaced Timor Leste, with only one point, to come out fighting.

“Timor Leste will come back stronger after their opening loss to Thailand (30). They will want to get the points after drawing 11 with Cambodia.

“I expect them to go all out against Malaysia because they need to win to stay alive in the competition,” said Hodak.

Malaysia’s remaining matches in Yangon are against Cambodia (on Sunday) and Thailand (Tuesday).

Last year, Malaysia, under German coach Frank Bernhardt, failed to reach the semifinals after shock losses to Timor Leste (32) and hosts Vietnam (31). Malaysia only managed to beat the Philippines (50) and Singapore (21). Australia emerged champions when they thrashed Thailand 51 in the final.

Group B consists of Vietnam, Indonesia, Brunei, the Philippines and Myanmar.

Malaysia are using the tournament to prepare for the AFC Under19 Championship qualifiers in South Korea from Oct 31Nov 8.