Latest news with #AFFU-23Championship
The Star
16 hours ago
- Sport
- 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.
The Star
21-07-2025
- Sport
- The Star
AFF U-23: 1,620-strong security deployment for heated Indonesia-Malaysia football clash in Jakarta
JAKARTA, July 21 (Bernama): Close to 1,620 police officers and servicemen will be deployed for the Asean U-23 Championship (formerly the AFF U-23 Championship) Group A clash between Indonesia and Malaysia in Central Jakarta tonight, according to police. The third group match is scheduled for kickoff at 8 pm local time (9 pm Malaysian time) at Gelora Bung Karno (GBK) Main Stadium, Senayan Sports Complex. "The security forces consist of officers from Metro Jaya police, counterparts from the armed forces, and several officers from the Indonesian National Police headquarters,' said a spokesperson from Metro Jaya District Police, Commissioner Ade Ary Syam Indradi, in a statement. He said traffic around the stadium area will be managed according to prevailing needs and situations. The Malaysia U-23 squad is gunning for a semifinal slot in this final Group A match against hosts Indonesia U-23, following a 0-2 loss to the Philippines U-23 in their opener on Tuesday and a 7-1 trouncing of Brunei U-23 on Friday. - Bernama
The Star
20-07-2025
- Sport
- The Star
Caution's the name of the game as Nafuzi plots upset over Indonesia
PETALING JAYA: National Under-23 football team head coach Nafuzi Zain is wary ahead of the team's crucial group clash against hosts Indonesia in the AFF U-23 Championship on Sunday (July 20). In a must-win game for Malaysia to stand a chance of getting to the semi-finals, Nafuzi is wary of Indonesia's quality players as the hosts sit top of Group A with two wins. "Based on how Indonesia played their two group matches, it's clear they are a very good team," said Nafuzi. "Individually, the players possess great quality, especially when it comes to their speed and physical strength. "We can see the way they play with speed in their game. Some of the players play in the Indonesia Liga 1 and show high maturity," he said. Indonesia thrashed Brunei 8-0 in their opening group match and followed this up with a 1-0 win over the Philippines. Malaysia are currently in third place with three points, after a 7-1 win against Brunei on Friday and a 0-2 loss in their opening match against the Philippines, who are second in the group, level on points with Malaysia. Nafuzi added that the team are injury-free, with wingers Aliff Izwan Yuslan and Faris Danish ready after being rested for the match against Brunei. "So far, everything has been going well. The team is positive and the injured players are also back in training. "Hopefully, we can field them for the big match against Indonesia," he said. The Harimau Muda will be facing a tough challenge at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium and Nafuzi said the team is likely to be similar to the squad that faced Brunei.
The Star
20-07-2025
- Sport
- The Star
Nafuzi takes goal conceded in big win seriously, as Indonesia loom
Happiness: The national players celebrating their 7-1 victory over Brunei in the AFF U-23 Championship on Friday. — Bernama PETALING JAYA: Malaysia Under-23 coach Nafuzi Zain was pleased with his team's 7-1 drubbing of Brunei in the AFF U-23 Championship on Friday but he admitted the goal conceded was a blemish on their dominant performance. 'The scoreline was good, but when you concede, it doesn't leave a perfect impression. Still, we will learn from it and make sure to bounce back,' Nafuzi said after the Group A clash at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium. The Harimau Muda were clinical in attack, netting seven past a hapless Brunei side and showing the kind of sharpness Nafuzi had been demanding from his forwards. 'Alhamdulillah, the players gave a good performance and showed high commitment, especially the front line, which was more clinical this time,' he said. Despite the emphatic win, Nafuzi warned against complacency as Malaysia prepare for what he called their toughest test yet – the highly anticipated clash against tournament hosts Indonesia on Monday. 'I don't want the team to get too comfortable with this big win because a bigger challenge awaits us in the final group match against Indonesia.' He acknowledged that the Malaysia-Indonesia fixture is always highly charged and emotionally intense, not just for players but for fans as well. 'This match against Indonesia is the one everyone is looking forward to. 'It's also the toughest because we're facing the hosts and one of the title favourites. 'Like it or not, we must find a way to win to qualify for the semi-finals.' Nafuzi is expecting a cauldron-like atmosphere in Jakarta and has called on his players to show mental resilience and composure. 'Indonesia's supporters are extraordinary. So my players must be mentally prepared, have confidence and know how to handle the pressure during the match.' Against Brunei, Nafuzi made six changes to the starting 11, giving valuable minutes to players who have seen limited action so far in the tournament. The rotation also helped preserve the fitness of key players ahead of the crunch tie. 'We gave opportunities to all players to get game time. This is also important as preparation for the next match,' he added. It is a must-win game for Malaysia against Indonesia if they want to stand a chance of getting to the semi-finals.
The Sun
19-07-2025
- Sport
- The Sun
Malaysia U-23 gears up for key AFF clash vs Indonesia
RIDING high on their emphatic 7-1 win over Brunei today, the national Under-23 (U-23) football squad will waste no time in preparing for a tougher challenge against Indonesia on July 21 to determine their semi-final hopes in the AFF U-23 Championship. Head coach Nafuzi Zain said the focus was now entirely on building a solid strategy and getting the players mentally and physically ready for the decisive Group A match. 'The match against Indonesia is the biggest challenge. But we will not back down. Our focus now is on recovery, and on mental and physical preparations for the next match,' he said after the game here. He said a detailed analysis would be conducted to identify Indonesia's strengths and weaknesses, but acknowledged that playing at the Gelora Bung Karno (GBK) Main Stadium would present significant challenges and pressure. He said this situation required the players to be highly motivated and fully prepared to face the thunderous cheers of the home crowd and enter the field with full confidence. 'We know Indonesian fans are extraordinary and extremely passionate, but our players are also very spirited. This is the time to prove their capability,' he said. Commenting on his decision to change the starting lineup against Brunei today, Nafuzi explained that it was due to player injuries and to give others a chance to gain experience. Man of the Match Muhammad Haqimi Azim Rosli, who scored twice, vowed to give his best and carry the winning momentum into the next game. 'I promise to give 100 per cent to help the team reach the semi-finals,' he said - BERNAMA
