Malaysia face must-win situation in U-16 qualifier against Japan

PETALING JAYA: It’s a do-or-die mission for the Malaysian Under-16 squad at the 2020 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Under-16 Championship qualifiers in Laos today.

The boys, who went down to the hosts 1-0 on Friday, must beat fancied Japan to have a chance of qualifying for the tournament proper in Bahrain.

Coach P. Maniam said his boys have to rise to the occasion in their final Group J against a Japanese side that have won their first-two games and scored 12 goals in the process.

Malaysia started off gallantly by beating Cambodia 7-0 in their opening game but failed to penetrate a defensive-minded Laos.

Maniam added that the defeat was painful and unexpected but he is confident the boys have what it takes to pull off an upset today.

This is the first time my boys didn’t play their real game. This experience will be valuable for them in the future.

P. Maniam

“Apart from the hosts’ defensive game, the boys were also not prepared for their rough tactics and time-wasting. To make matters worse, four players were ill but still played,” he said.

“These boys have beaten Australia and South Korea before. So, it’s not an impossible task.”

Asked to explained what happened against Laos, Maniam said the players couldn’t create many chances against the tight defence and made a defensive mistake which resulted in the goal.

“This is the first time my boys didn’t play their real game. This experience will be valuable for them in the future,” he said.

“Today’s match (against Japan) will not be easy but if we have the right attitude and belief, we can win.”

The 11 group winners will qualify for the Finals and accompanied by the best five second-placed teams.