BANGKOK − After failing to qualify for the semi-finals of the Asean Football Federation (AFF) Futsal Championship 2022, the Malaysian men’s futsal team are now switching their attention to the Hanoi SEA Games next month where they promise to make amends.
Coach Chiew Chun Yong said although he was disappointed that the team failed to reach the last four, Malaysia plans to regroup and aim for at least a bronze medal at the biennial games from May 12-23.
“Even though we could not qualify (for AFF semis) due to short-time training and lack of international exposure, the players are getting better with every game.
“I am very disappointed but I cannot blame these players. I take full responsibility.
“These players had a short preparation time. It is unfair to not give them enough time at major tournaments,” he told Bernama today.
Chun Yong, who led the national team to the silver medal in the 2017 SEA Games in Kuala Lumpur, said the Harimau Malaya squad adapted well at the AFF meet, where they opened their campaign with a 7-6 win over Cambodia last Saturday.
Malaysia’s team manager Datuk Mohd Hisamudin Yahaya said the Harimau Malaya squad must work harder and focus on the SEA Games in Vietnam after failing to achieve their semi-final target in the AFF tournament.
“We will be meeting Thailand again next month, and we will prove ourselves,” he said.
“Our team lacks (exposure to) international matches. We plan to leave for Hanoi early to play more friendlies there,” he said.
Malaysia’s semi-final hopes were dashed after they lost 2-4 to defending champions Thailand yesterday. Malaysia also lost 1-5 to Indonesia and beat Brunei 10-0 to finish third in Group A with six points from four matches.
Thailand and Indonesia qualified for the semi-finals tomorrow with ten points each but Thailand topped the group on goal difference. – Bernama, April 7, 2022
