Harith says Laos are no longer the whipping boys

Harith: ‘All matches come with pressure and this time we face a must-win situation so there is more stress.’

PETALING JAYA: National Under-23 defender Harith Haiqal Adam Afkar does not want his teammates to take Laos lightly in their crucial AFF Under-23 Championship match at the Prince Stadium in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, tomorrow.

The Group B game has turned into a winner-takes-all affair following the withdrawal of Indonesia and Myanmar due to a spate of Covid-19 cases.

The 19-year-old centreback, who played a key role to help Malaysia qualify for the AFC Under-23 Asian Cup Finals, said the current Laos side are no pushovers.

In the Under-23 Asian Cup qualifiers in Mongolia last year, Malaysia struggled with a 1-0 win.

“Laos are no longer the whipping boys in the region.

“All matches come with pressure and this time we face a must-win situation so there is more stress,” said Harith.

“The last time we beat them by just one goal and it was a tough match.

“They have most of the players from that squad this time while we have several newcomers.

“However, we have been working hard in training and are ready to give our best.

“With players like Azrin Azrin Afiq Rusmini and Faiz Amer Runnizar who played in Mongolia, they can guide the new players.

“I think even the new players are up to the task, they are good.

“We want to make the semi-finals.”

Meanwhile, coach Brad Maloney has dropped defender Zikri Khalili due to a knee injury and his spot will be taken over by Fahmi Daniel Zaaim once his quarantine period ends.

Fahmi tested positive for Covid-19 upon arriving in Phnom Penh last Friday but is set to rejoin the team after completing five days of quarantine.

Maloney also expects a tough fight from the Laotians, who are now coached by German Michael Weiss.

“Laos were a tough opponent in Mongolia and they have a handful of players from that squad this time.

“They have a new head coach as well, Weiss’ been around South-East Asia for quite a long time and is very experienced,” said the Australian.

“We need to be level headed as a win will get us the chance to play two more matches.

“Anyway, our main objective is to give the new players as much international experience as possible.”