A MUST WIN FOR MALAYSIA
Teong Kim’s side need full points to qualify for quarters
IT WILL be a do-or-die battle for Malaysia when they face Japan in today’s Group A match of the AFC Under-16 Championship at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil. Lim Teong Kim’s side, who have three points, must win to qualify for the quarterfinals, while Japan on four points only need a draw to progress.
Failure to achieve their target of finishing top four for an Under-17 World Cup qualifying spot will be disastrous as the team are a product of the National Football Development Programme (NFDP), who have invested a lot on the players since 2015.
Teong Kim, who is one of the highest paid coaches in the country, and the NFDP coaching and technical staff will likely be criticised if the team fail to progress beyond the group stage.
However, Malaysia will not have it easy as Japan are determined to win today and top the group.
They even sent their coaching staff to analyse Malaysia in their 4-2 defeat to Thailand on Sunday.
“We will play for a win as there is no other way for Malaysia to progress.
“Every team in our group have a chance to advance to the second stage. All teams will give 100 per cent in their respective matches, so we need to be at an optimum level tomorrow,” said Teong Kim, whose side were thrashed 4-0 by Japan in the qualifiers in September last year.
Teong Kim also disclosed that he has able replacements for suspended striker Luqman Hakim Shamsudin.
“We have a pool of quality players on the bench,” he added.
Goalkeeper Sikh Izhan Nazrel Sikh Azman is expected to start between the posts today after serving a one match suspension.
Japan coach Yoshiro Moriyama said: “We want to reach the quarter-finals as group winners. We will do just enough and also play an attacking game for three points.