PETALING JAYA: Malaysia’s Under-23 football team fared well in their last two friendlies against India despite the absence of key players.
They won the first match 2-1 on March 23 and drew 1-1 on March 26.
For centreback Ubaidullah Samsul Fazili (pic), the results showed that the squad had depth.
Ubaidullah and Co, coached by Spaniard Juan Torres Garrido, warmed up nicely as they get ready to take on the region’s best youth sides in the AFC Under-23 Asian Cup in Doha, Qatar, from April 15-May 3.
Ubaidullah said the squad proved their mettle although they were missing key midfielders Mukhairi Ajmal Mahadi and Nooa Laine, and defenders Azam Azmi Murad and Harith Haiqal Adam Afkar.
“We played good and knew each other’s game style well,” he said.
“Our coach gave the other talents a chance to play and rested a few key players, and I believe they have done their best to show they have what it takes to play for Malaysia,” said Ubaidullah.
The team will leave for Doha on Sunday, and they will play warm-up matches against China on April 3, Qatar (April 6 or 7) and a yet-to-be-decided match on April 10 or 11.
The tournament is also a qualifier for the Olympics, with the top three in Doha earning automatic spots for Paris 2024. The Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) are hopeful that the Harimau Muda can reach the quarter-finals of the competition.
For the Under-23 Asian Cup, Malaysia are drawn in Group D with Uzbekistan, Vietnam and Kuwait. The top two teams in the group will advance to the quarter-finals.
Ubaidullah will be missing the Hari Raya Aidilfitri festival with his loved ones but he is fine with it.
“We will be celebrating with the team, which is a nice change. Plus, we are here for national duty, so it will only spur us to do better.
“Pressure is there but we’ve adapted to it. We will do our best in the tournament in Doha. We hope to make our nation proud.”
