KUALA LUMPUR – The Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) are unfazed about the national U-23 team’s draw in the upcoming SEA Games, which is dubbed as the “Group of Death” by many in the football fraternity.
Scheduled to take place in Cambodia from May 5 to 17, the U-23 team have been drawn in Group B together with defending champions Vietnam, Thailand, Singapore, and Laos, while hosts Cambodia, Indonesia, Myanmar, and the Philippines make up Group A.
FAM president Datuk Hamidin Mohd Amin said that this is the best draw for the team as he and head coach E. Elavarasan do not think that it is an uphill task to make it to the next round.
“I met Elavarasan yesterday and we both feel that this is the best draw for us. This gives us the chance to meet tough opponents early on so we can advance to the finals which is still our target.
“The players know that it is better to face the tougher teams such as Vietnam and Thailand earlier in the competition rather than in the knockout stages,” he said during the FAM buka puasa event last night.
In the last edition in Hanoi, Malaysia lost 1-0 to eventual winners Vietnam in the semifinal. Vietnam defeated Thailand 1-0 in the final to take the gold medal.
Meanwhile, Hamidin said the senior team’s jump from 145th placing to 138th placing in the FIFA rankings is evidence that the F:30 roadmap by FAM is on track as the next phase is to ensure that Malaysia becomes a force in Asian football.
He said Harimau Malaya will take on Yemen and the Solomon Islands in friendly matches in June, adding that Johor Darul Ta’zim FC have already offered the Sultan Ibrahim Stadium to become the host.
“At the same time, we would also like to see Harimau Malaya play their matches at other stadiums as well. It would be good to give other states the opportunity to host an International match.
“I have already discussed this with the Terengganu menteri besar, so we will see how it goes,” Hamidin said.
At the same time, Hamidin added that the Harimau Malaya will be travelling overseas to play their friendly matches in October, with the possibility of facing either China, Taiwan, or Kuwait on the cards. – The Vibes, April 8, 2023
