Harimau Muda face early do-or-die test at AFF Under-23 C’ship

Coming through: Malaysia’s Mohd Harry Danish Mohd Haizon (right) vying for the ball with Philippines’ goalkeeper Nicholas Guimaraes during their AFF Under-23 Championship match at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in Jakarta. — AP

PETALING JAYA: A bitter opening defeat but one that could serve as a wake-up call for Harimau Muda in their pursuit of a place in the AFF Under-23 Championship semi-finals.

In their first Group A match on Monday, Malaysia’s U-23 squad, led by head coach Nafuzi Zain, suffered a shock 0-2 loss to the Philippines at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in Jakarta on Tuesday.