PETALING JAYA: The national Under-16 team could be heading to the Land of Pearl as part of their preparations for the AFC Under-17 Asian Cup next year.
The Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) revealed that talks are ongoing with the Qatar Football Association (QFA) to arrange a month-long training stint.FAM deputy president Datuk Mohd Yusoff Mahadi revealed that talks had gone well and they just need to finalise some details.
“It looks likely that the team would train in Qatar in February next year. We are proud of their achievement during the qualifiers and believe the team can go far. We believe this stint will be beneficial.”
Yusoff also confirmed that coach Osmera Omaro will continue to handle the team.
Malaysia qualified for the Asian Cup after topping Group B with 10 points.
It will be Malaysia’s sixth appearance in the tournament after outings in 2004, 2008, 2014, 2016 and 2018. Their best finish was in 2014, when they made the quarter-finals.
This year they started their campaign with a 4-0 win over Palestine.
They drew 1-1 with Guam and edged the United Arab Emirates 3-2. They wrapped up the qualifier with a 5-1 rout of Indonesia.
Meanwhile, Yusoff revealed that Jordanian coach Soleen Al-Zoubi will be in charge of the women’s national team replacing Jacob Joseph from December.
Al-Zoubi was formerly the Jordan Football Association (JFA) director of women’s football.