SPEED OF YOUNG TIGERS CAN SERVE AS WEAPON AGAINST VIETNAM – HAYKAL DANISH

From Ahmad Nazrin Syahmi Mohamad Arif

BANGKOK, Dec 9 (Bernama) — The national Under-23 (U-23) squad is urged to maintain maximum focus ahead of their critical match against Vietnam in the final Group B game of the 2025 Thailand SEA Games men's football competition here, this Thursday.

National midfielder Mohammad Haykal Danish Mohd Haizon said the team still has time to fine-tune preparations, including strengthening their defensive aspects and physical condition.

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While acknowledging Vietnam as the favoured team with a physical advantage, Mohammad Haykal, or better known as Haykal Danish, stressed the need for Malaysia to utilise their speed to match the tempo of the 2019 and 2021 gold medal winners' game.

“We need to improve many things. Defensively and physically, we need to be stronger than in the previous match. So, I hope the players remain consistent in training and stay focused.

“As players who are physically smaller, we need to move the ball quickly and move from side to side. We cannot fight them physically; we have to fight with fast-paced play,” he said when met at the team hotel here today.

The Young Tigers squad is scheduled to face Vietnam at the Rajamangala National Stadium here, where a draw will be enough to ensure that Mohd Nafuzi Zain’s men advance to the semi-finals as Group B champions.

Malaysia and Vietnam currently share three points at the top two positions of the group, separated only by goal difference, while Laos are at the bottom without any points.

Meanwhile, the Selangor FC II player also reminded his teammates not to be complacent with the 4-1 victory over Laos last Saturday, but instead, they should use it as motivation to face Vietnam.

"It is true that a draw is enough to qualify us, but we are aiming for a win... we must win for honour," said the 20-year-old player.

For the record, Malaysia was eliminated as early as the group stage in the 2023 edition in Cambodia, after losing in the bronze medal playoff in the 2021 edition in Hanoi. The last time the national squad reached the podium was when they won the silver medal in the 2017 edition in Kuala Lumpur.

-- BERNAMA