Semi-final hopes hinge on a decisive clash with China in the Asian meet

High stakes: Malaysia team celebrating after beating Pakistan. – MHC

PETALING JAYA: Malaysia’s Under-18 Asia Cup campaign is on the line, with only a win over China likely to secure a place in the semi-finals.

The national youngsters kept their medal hopes alive with a hard-fought 3-2 victory over defending silver medallists Pakistan, but another slip-up could prove costly in a fiercely contested Group B where all four teams head into the final round level on three points.