NATIONAL U-17 FOOTBALL TEAM MANAGER RESIGNS AFTER TEAM FAILS TO QUALIFY FOR ASIAN CUP

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 28 (Bernama) -- National Under-17 (U-17) football team manager Christopher Raj has resigned effective immediately following the team’s failure to qualify for the 2025 Asian Cup.

Christopher Raj said he took full responsibility and by stepping down he would be allowing new faces to undertake the task of bringing the national squad to higher levels until they achieve their mission of getting into the World Cup.

“This failure is very bitter to swallow and it’s very saddening as we cannot repeat last year’s success when the national squad made it to the 2023 U-17 Asian Cup. I’m very grateful for all the opportunities I’ve been given.

“I’m very proud to have the experience of serving the country, something I won’t ever forget. I do admit there is much that the team needs to improve on, but I’m confident my replacement can carry out his duties better,” he said in a statement today, as he thanked the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM), its president Tan Sri Hamidin Mohd Amin, FAM technical director Scott O'Donnel and National Football Development Programme technical director Oscar Francisco Gonzalez.

“A million thanks to all the players, especially their parents, who have sacrificed so much to support us like our 12th player. Let’s not forget the contributions of coach Javier Jorda Ribera and all the U-17 coaches and everyone who has helped us,” he said.

The national U-17 squad lost 0-2 to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in their opening match and drew 2-2 with Laos yesterday in the qualifiers, finishing second behind the UAE, who qualified to the Asian Cup as group winners. Lebanon, who was drawn into the same group, withdrew following the attack by Israel.

-- BERNAMA