Unforced errors cause U-16 squad to suffer worst possible start

PETALING JAYA: Malaysia got off to a worst possible start in the AFC Under-16 Championship when they were thumped 3-0 by Oman.

Coach P. Somasundram’s boys will have to pick themselves up fast in their remaining two Group C matches against Iraq tomorrow and South Korea on Thursday, failing which they can kiss goodbye their hopes of making the quarter-finals.

Somasundram said the team committed too many unforced errors which resulted in them conceding two penalties at the Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Goa, India.

“We were not composed and organised enough to deal with the pressure. We made a lot of mistakes in defence and our passing was not positive,” said Somasundram.

“Our midfield was not aggressive as we gave them a lot of space. This is a high intensity tournament and it will be tough to get three points,” said Somasundram.

The Malaysians had only themselves to blame and could have snatched at least a point if they had kept their composure and taken their chances especially nippy winger Muhammad Izreen, who missed two sitters in the first-half.

In an earlier match, Iraq defeated South Korea 2-1.

The top two teams from each of the four groups will qualify for the quarter-finals. The semi-finalists will advance to the World Under-17 Finals in India next year.

Malaysia’s best outing was in the 2014 edition when they reached the quarter-finals.