PETALING JAYA: Defending champions Thailand and last year’s runners-up Australia start as favourites again in the nine-day Asean Football Federation (AFF) Futsal Championship, which kicks off at the Malawati Stadium in Shah Alam on Thursday.
But try telling that to national futsal coach Maizal Hairi Marzuki.
He expects his men to make the final.
“We have never beaten the Thais in any competition (AFF or SEA Games).
“But we have closed ranks over the years and should be able to give them a fight if we meet in the cross-over matches,” said Maizal.
Nine-time winners Thailand will be the team to beat in Group B, which also comprises Vietnam, Myanmar, Laos and the Philippines.
Group A consists of hosts Malaysia, Indonesia, Brunei, Australia and Timor Leste.
Malaysia have reached the final of the AFF tournament three times in the previous 10 editions but failed to make the semi-finals in Bangkok last year.
That time, Malaysia finished third behind Thailand and Vietnam in the group stages,
Thailand beat Australia 2-1 in the final while Vietnam finished third after beating Indonesia 7-3 in the third-place playoff.
Malaysia will open their campaign against Indonesia today (5.30pm). Entry is free for the duration of the tournament.
AFF secretary general Datuk Azzuddin Ahmad said this year’s championship will allow teams to prepare for the 2015 AFC qualifying rounds in Indonesia.
He said that three teams from Asia will qualify for the World Futsal championship in Colombia, to be held in March 2016.
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