Young Tigers hope to make amends
To do so, which means qualify for the final round in Saudi Arabia, Young Tigers need to top Group F against Lebanon, Mongolia and hosts Thailand, or finish among the top four ranked runners-up among 11 groups.
The team, led by Nafuzi Zain, were left to lick their wounds following a disappointing early exit from last month's Asean Under-23 Championship in Indonesia.
Defender Ahmad Aysar Hadi Shapri believes the coaches can rectify the team's weaknesses in the friendly matches against Kuwait and Oman in Bangkok during their centralised camp from Aug 18-Aug 31.
"Our target is to qualify for Saudi Arabia, that is our goal. We want to make up for our failure in Jakarta. The coaches know what we need to fix," he said.
Malaysia begin their Group F campaign against Lebanon on Sept 3, followed by Mongolia (Sept 6) and Thailand (Sept 9).
"All three matches will be tough because every team are targeting qualification," said Ahmad.
Malaysia failed to progress past the group stage of the Under-23 Asian Cup in 2022, Uzbekistan, and 2024, Qatar.
Malaysia's best performance was in 2018 in China, where the team reached the quarter-finals before losing 2-1 to South Korea.
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New Straits Times
2 days ago
- New Straits Times
Young Tigers hope to make amends
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia seek redemption at the Under-23 Asian Cup qualifiers in Bangkok next month. To do so, which means qualify for the final round in Saudi Arabia, Young Tigers need to top Group F against Lebanon, Mongolia and hosts Thailand, or finish among the top four ranked runners-up among 11 groups. The team, led by Nafuzi Zain, were left to lick their wounds following a disappointing early exit from last month's Asean Under-23 Championship in Indonesia. Defender Ahmad Aysar Hadi Shapri believes the coaches can rectify the team's weaknesses in the friendly matches against Kuwait and Oman in Bangkok during their centralised camp from Aug 18-Aug 31. "Our target is to qualify for Saudi Arabia, that is our goal. We want to make up for our failure in Jakarta. The coaches know what we need to fix," he said. Malaysia begin their Group F campaign against Lebanon on Sept 3, followed by Mongolia (Sept 6) and Thailand (Sept 9). "All three matches will be tough because every team are targeting qualification," said Ahmad. Malaysia failed to progress past the group stage of the Under-23 Asian Cup in 2022, Uzbekistan, and 2024, Qatar. Malaysia's best performance was in 2018 in China, where the team reached the quarter-finals before losing 2-1 to South Korea.
The Star
2 days ago
- The Star
Training camp up north ideal, but U-23 team incomplete without three key players
PETALING JAYA: When Malaysia Under-23 football team coach Nafuzi Zain looks at his squad settling into camp in Bangkok, he sees both an opportunity and a challenge. While the training camp in Thailand is the perfect platform to prepare for the upcoming 2026 AFC U-23 Asian Cup qualifiers, Nafuzi won't have some of his most important players at his disposal - at least not yet. 'I want to thank FAM (Football Association of Malaysia) for organising this camp in Thailand to prepare us well for the qualifiers,' Nafuzi said. 'We've got players from the A1 League and the Super League, and I appreciate the coaches who released them for us.' However, three key players - Terengganu centreback Ubaidullah Shamsul Fazili, Selangor winger Alif Izwan Yuslan and Sabah striker Fergus Tierney remain with their clubs, who are reluctant to release them outside of the FIFA international window. 'They're key men for their clubs now, so we understand. But we're also hopeful they will be released for national duty. 'We know their quality, and they've played with the boys we've selected before.'' Nafuzi's charges are in Group G, which pits them against Thailand, Lebanon and Mongolia. All the matches will be staged at the BG Stadium in Pathum Thani, with only group winners assured of a ticket to Saudi Arabia. For now, Nafuzi has shifted his focus to two friendlies against Kuwait and Oman in Bangkok. For him, they are more than just warm-up games - they are a rehearsal for the intensity Malaysia will face in their opening qualifier against Lebanon. 'Lebanon are a good side, and all the teams we're up against are tough. These games will test us, and that's what we need. It won't be easy, but we will try our best.' The AFF U-23 Championship in July this year left scars but also provided valuable lessons. Malaysia fell short in the group stages, while Thailand finished third in the competition - despite not fielding several of their main playersr. 'That tournament gave me a view of the game, and it made me learn and plan better for the qualifiers. We still have a lot to improve on,' said Nafuzi.
New Straits Times
2 days ago
- New Straits Times
Nafuzi's boys hope to learn from Asean flop
KUALA LUMPUR: National Under-23 coach Nafuzi Zain is banking on the harsh lessons from the recent Asean Championship to fuel his squad's rebuilding ahead of the 2026 Asian Cup qualifiers in Thailand later this month. Nafuzi's preparations have been complicated by the absence of three key players, Fergus Tierney, Ubaidullah Shamsul Fazili and Alif Izwan Yuslan, who have not been released by their Super League clubs. "These three are key players, but they couldn't join us at this stage," said Nafuzi. "We understand the clubs' situation because these players are important to them right now. Hopefully, by the Fifa window (Sept 1-9), we will be able to use them." While Nafuzi admitted their absence leaves a gap, his focus is on the squad he does have, a youthful side that fell short at the Asean Championship last month. Malaysia managed only one win in the group stage, beating Brunei 7-1, but defeat to the Philippines (2-0) and a draw with Indonesia (0-0) saw them crash out early. "There are many things we need to improve, but these are young players, and maturity is something we are still lacking," said Nafuzi. "The Asean Championship gave us a chance to observe, learn, and gain international exposure, to see how other countries play. That experience will help us prepare better this time."
