Tigress roar with pride despite Asian Cup exit

The Star

08-07-2025

Better showing: The Malayan Tigress lost 6-0 to North Korea in the Asian Cup qualifiers in Tajikistan. — FAM
PETALING JAYA: The national women's football team can hold their heads high despite falling short of a ticket to the 2026 Asian Cup.
The Malayan Tigress, ranked No. 102 in the world, were denied the slot after falling 0-6 to world No. 9 North Korea on Saturday in their final Group H match in Tajikistan.
Head coach Joel Cornelli knew their opponents would be formidable, after all the North Koreans scored 10 goals in both their group stage matches against Palestine and Tajikistan.
Malaysia meanwhile had won their first two group stage matches with 1-0 wins against Palestine and hosts Tajikistan.
Malaysia finished second in the group, with only group winners North Korea advancing to the Asian Cup next year.
Despite the loss, the Brazilian coach had only praise for his team in their first international outing.
'I'm very proud of my team. In the first two matches, we played against teams at our level,' he said.
'North Korea were at a different level. They had better speed, more experience and were skilful. More than that, they were ready,' he said.
Cornelli, who joined the women's team in May, said the squad are showing great promise, and with time, would be able to reach greater heights.
'The team have been training for only two months before we competed. And it's my first tournament with them,' he said.
'I'm proud of what we have achieved here, and I'm sure that with time and hard work, we can improve and achieve better result in the next competition,' he said.
Malaysia's ranking are expected to break into the top 100 after their campaign in Tajikistan, a step in the right direction towards the highest ever of world No. 63 in 2003.