KUALA LUMPUR: The national Under-15 squad suffered a 2-6 defeat to South Africa in the round of 32 of Tier B at the FIFA Under-15 World Cup and Festival in Baku, Azerbaijan, yesterday.
The squad coached by P. Maniam fell behind as early as the third minute before South Africa doubled their lead a minute later. Malaysia attempted to fight back through a penalty converted by Danny Firas Musleyadi in the seventh minute, but South Africa continued to dominate, adding three more goals in the ninth, 21st and 26th minutes.
Mikhaeel Yee Mubeen Yee scored Malaysia’s second goal in the 22nd minute before South Africa sealed the victory with their sixth goal in the 33rd minute. The defeat means Malaysia must now compete for positions 49 to 64, taking on Jamaica in the round of 16.
Earlier, Malaysia emerged as the only South-East Asian representative to qualify for Tier B after finishing as runners-up in Group H with 10 points from three wins, one draw and one defeat. — Bernama
