PETALING JAYA: The spotlight is firmly on Lim You, but the 14-year-old is looking the other way.
Lim You is taking her sudden rise to prominence in her stride.
“I am a little nervous but I’m excited to play. I think the team have been working hard and we are ready,” she said.
“I appreciate the love and support from everyone, but I’m staying focused and choosing to stay off social media.”
The 165cm forward scored in the eighth, 22nd, 27th and 57th minutes before converting a penalty in the 75th. She then added two more goals in the 83rd and 85th minutes to complete a stunning seven-goal haul.
Her exploits helped Malaysia finish second in Group A on four points, level with Hong Kong but advancing on goal difference.
With Thailand now fully aware of the threat she poses, Lim You admits there will be some added pressure, but insists it will not alter the way she plays.
"Honestly, a bit, but football is a game I really enjoy, and I’m excited every single time I step onto the pitch no matter the opponent. I’m just excited to play at a different level,” she said.
Coach Fairuz Montana Zainal Abidin has also urged caution against putting too much responsibility on the youngster, especially now that opponents are paying closer attention to her. This was evident in the game against Thailand.
"The opposing team already know how she plays. We had to shift things around a little – a few other players needed to share that responsibility,” he said.
Thailand’s goals were an own goal from Sofia Lacasse in the seventh minute before Kawinthida Kikuntod (51st) Kanokporn Wanthong (64th and 73rd) and Zuzana Kordem (85th) scored the rest of the goals.
Nina Hasmaji scored Malaysia’s lone goal in the 40th minute.
The Malaysian Tigress will take on either Indonesia (Garuda Pertiwi) or Jordan in the third-fourth playoff tie on Sunday.
