KUALA LUMPUR: Nafuzi Zain’s boys have no other options — it’s do or die tomorrow.
Beat Thailand at Thammasat Stadium, and they may still survive. Anything less, Malaysia will be eliminated from the qualifying stage of the Under-23 Asia Cup.
The Young Tigers are in a precarious position, third in Group F with three points, one behind joint leaders Thailand and Lebanon.
Lebanon, who edged Malaysia 1-0 on Wednesday, should beat bottom-placed Mongolia tomorrow.
The group winners and the four best runners-up from 11 groups will advance to the touranement proper in Saudi Arabia next year.
Even with victory in their final group match (against Thailand), Malaysia could still end up second and would have to rely on results elsewhere to rank among the best runners-up.
Currently, several teams in that position, including China, Iran, Turkmenistan and Yemen, hold stronger records with maximum points from two matches.
“Thailand have quality and are different from us, but in football anything can happen,” said Nafuzi.
“What matters is that we work hard and believe in ourselves.”
Nafuzi has urged his players to shut out the groups’ permutation possibilities, and focus on breaking down Thailand.
“This is the only path forward — to beat Thailand,” he said.
© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd
