PETALING JAYA, May 1 — The national Under-22 (U-22) squad must do their best and not squander any chances in their first Group B South-east Asian (SEA) Games football match against Laos at Prince Stadium, Phnom Penh in Cambodia this Wednesday.
National U-22 midfielder, Muhammad Mukhairi Ajmal Mahadi expressed hope that his teammates would be able to harness all their experience to collect three points and spur everyone to successive victories in their next group matches.
“We need those three points in the first match to inspire us (although) it’s a tough challenge against Laos...we cannot underestimate our opponents.
“I see everyone has adapted to the coach’s tactics. I have played in the senior team with the same tactics. So I hope we can focus on the SEA Games,” he told reporters during the final training session at Wisma FAM in Kelana Jaya here today.
Muhammad Mukhairi, 22, who is hoping for a win, also promised to fit into the team as soon as possible as he was unable to play with them in their Merlion Cup victory after suffering from a stomach infection.
‘I want us to be champions because we lost in the semifinals last year. I hope this year we’re lucky as this is my last SEA Games and I want to do my best,” he added.
The Malaysian team, which departs for Cambodia tomorrow, will take on Laos (May 3), Thailand (May 6), Vietnam (May 8) and finally Singapore (May 11) in the group stage.
The team were stopped by Vietnam in the semifinals, losing 0-1 and will be trying to end a 12-year-long wait to win the gold medal after last winning it in Jakarta, Indonesia in 2011. — Bernama
