PETALING JAYA: Harimau Muda blew a chance for a podium finish for the first time in the Asean Football Federation (AFF) Under-23 Championship after losing to Thailand.
The game was decided in a penalty shootout after Malaysia were held 0-0 by Thailand in the third-place playoff match at the Rayong Provincial Stadium yesterday.
They went down 3-4 after midfielders Syahir Badshah and Mohd Abu Khalil missed the third and fifth penalties.
Malaysia had scored through Fergus Tierney, Aliff Izwan Yuslan and V. Ruventhiran (pic).
The War Elephants’ winning penalty was scored by Chukid Wanpraphao after Thanison Paibulkjicharoen, Pattara Soimalai and Songchai Thongcham had played their part.
Thailand were the dominant side as they created numerous chances but Malaysia’s defence led by captain Ubaidullah Samsul Fazili stayed resolute in front of the Thai crowd.
Harimau Muda, led by coach E. Elavarasan, matched their run in 2005 where they finished fourth.
Elavarasan is using this tournament to assess some players before naming his final squad for the AFC Under-23 Asian Cup qualifiers from Sept 6-12.
Malaysia are in Group H with Thailand, Bangladesh and the Philippines and all the matches will be played in Chonburi, Thailand.
