Hodak: Our boys wasted their chances

PETALING JAYA: Coach Bojan Hodak has chided Malaysia for being wasteful against Brunei in the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Under-19 Qualifying Group F match in South Korea.

Despite numerous goalscoring chances, Hodak’s side could only manage a 75th-minute goal through striker Muhammad Zafuan Azeman for a 1-0 win at the Paju Stadium yesterday.

Malaysia had opened their campaign with a convincing 3-1 victory over Timor Leste on Tuesday.

To give the regulars a rest, Hodak sent in his second stringers yesterday. But it backfired as Malaysia struggled to break down Brunei, considered the whipping boys after losing 11-0 to South Korea and 5-0 to Indonesia.

“Today was colder and our tempo was not like in the first match. Our players also got frustrated when they couldn’t score. It further affected their rhythm,” said Hodak.

“What also upset me was the lack of focus. We cannot let this happen when we play Indonesia and South Korea as they will punish us. We have to be sharper in every aspect,” added the 46-year-old Croatian.

Malaysia will play Indonesia tomorrow followed by South Korea on Wednesday. In yesterday’s other match, South Korea whipped Indonesia 4-0 for their second straight win to top the group.

All three teams — South Korea, Indonesia and Malaysia — have six points. Malaysia are third due to an inferior goal difference. Indonesia, however, have played three games, one more than South Korea and Malaysia.

The 10 group winners and five best second-placed teams will qualify to the Finals in Indonesia in October next year.