HARIMAU MUDA FIGHT BACK TO BEAT LAOS 4-1 IN SEA GAMES OPENER

BANGKOK, Dec 6 (Bernama) – The national Under-23 (U-23) men’s football squad opened their SEA Games Thailand 2025 campaign with a come-from-behind 4-1 victory over Laos at the Rajamangala National Stadium here on Saturday.

Harimau Muda, guided by head coach Mohd Nafuzi Zain, dominated proceedings from the kick-off, but Laos struck first when a swift counter-attack was finished by Bounphaeng Xaysombath in the fourth minute.

Malaysia drew level in the 33rd minute after a defensive error by a Laos defender allowed Harry Danish Mohd Haizon to calmly slot home the equaliser.

Harimau Muda increased the tempo after the break, forcing Laos to defend deep before Haqimi Azim Rosli Muhammad capitalised on an opportunity to put Malaysia ahead in the 59th minute.

Just three minutes later, in the 62nd minute, a powerful header from Moses Raj Michel Dass doubled the lead before Muhammad Abu Khalil's goal sealed all three points for Malaysia in the 90th minute.

Malaysia will face Vietnam at the same venue on Dec 11 in the last Group B match that is expected to decide the group winners. 

The winners of each group and the best runner-up will advance to the semi-finals.

Malaysia failed to progress beyond the group stage in the 2023 games in Cambodia and finished fourth in the Vietnam edition in 2021. 

Malaysia last won the gold medal at the 2011 SEA Games in Indonesia, while the silver medal at the 2017 Kuala Lumpur edition marked their most recent podium finish.

The 33rd edition of the biennial Games, which will officially open on Dec 9, is being held in Bangkok and Chonburi and will run until Dec 20.

For the latest news on the SEA Games Thailand 2025, visit https://seagames.bernama.com

-- BERNAMA