Maloney hails players for performing like pros to reach Asian Cup Finals

We defied the odds: Coach Brad Maloney (centre) hugging his players after they qualified for the AFC Under-23 Asian Cup.

PETALING JAYA: The success of Malaysia’s Under-23 football team in Mongolia is special for coach Brad Maloney.

Despite playing under chilly conditions and on a tough artificial pitch, the Harimau Muda held their own to hold regional rivals Thailand 0-0 at the MFF Stadium in Ulaan–baatar yesterday to top Group J with seven points in the AFC Asian Cup qualifiers.

And it was good enough to seal their spot in the AFC Under-23 Asian Cup in Uzbekistan in June.

Malaysia had beaten Laos (1-0) and Mongolia (1-0) earlier, and it’s only their second qualification for the Asian Cup after the 2018 edition.

“It’s a fantastic achievement. I have said it all along that I have incredible belief in this group of players. They’ve performed as professionals,” said Maloney.

“We did not concede a goal in the competition, and we didn’t lose. As a coach, I couldn’t be prouder.

“It’s a wonderful feeling to guide these players in their mission to Uzbekistan.”

The qualification means a lot to Maloney and the boys as the lead-up to the qualifiers wasn’t smooth sailing for the team.

The coaching staff had planned training camps in central Asian nations but it had to be scrapped due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

And they could only hold their training camp in Kuala Lumpur two weeks before the qualifiers and had to scramble to organise several friendlies with local clubs.

Malaysia were also the last team to arrive in Ulaanbaatar as Laos and Thailand were there earlier to acclimatise to the conditions there.

Despite all the challenges and with weather dropping as low as -8° Celsius, the Malaysian boys showed great fighting spirit to earn the opportunity to face some of Asia’s biggest sides in June.

“We had a lot of plans in place but had to alter it due to the pandemic. It did not deter the team as all of us stuck to what we know best - our style of play that led to this good result.”

Twenty-year-old striker Nur Azfar Fikri Azhar emerged as the star after scoring both of Malaysia’s goals in the qualifying campaign.

The performances of centrebacks Ahmad Zikri Khalil, Harith Haiqal Adam and Azrin Afiq Rusmini, all only 19, should also be lauded as they were the pillars at the back in all three matches.

They maintained great discipline, communicated well, and frustrated strikers with their solid defending.

And thanks to them, goalkeeper Azri Ghani, 22, did not have to make too many saves.

The influence of captain and midfielder Mukhairi Ajmal Mahadi, 20, was also telling as he led the team effectively in the defensive and attacking transitions.

His partner Nik Akif Syahiran Nik Mat, 21, also impressed with his commitment and drive despite the loss of his father Nik Mat Yusof, who died in an accident two days before his flight to Mongolia.

It is hoped that these boys will continue to grow in strength and make Malaysia proud next June.

In the last edition in 2018 in China, the team, then led by Datuk Ong Kim Swee, reached the quarter-finals before losing 1-2 to South Korea. Can Maloney do better?