Courtesy: The Star On Line


Malaysia to face last year’s finalists Thailand and Indonesia

By ERIC SAMUEL

PETALING JAYA: Malaysia face an uphill task in the preliminary round of the seventh Asean Football Federation (AFF) futsal championship after being drawn in the Group of Death together with last year’s finalists Thailand and Indonesia.

Coach P. Balakrishnan said his men have a heavy responsibility on their shoulders when they open their Group A campaign against Indonesia at the Phu Tho Gymnasium in Ho Chin Minh City tomorrow.

“We have a tough group and every match including the one against dark horses Myanmar is going to be crucial in our bid to enter the semi-finals,” said Balakrishnan.

Team manager Hamidin Mohd Amin said that they were surprised by the lop-sided draw that had three semi-finalists from last year’s competition – champions Thailand, runners-up Indonesia and third-placed Malaysia – in Group A.

“An official protest had been lodged but it has been over-ruled,” said Hamidin.

Myanmar are the other team in Group A while the teams in Group B are Vietnam, Brunei, Timor Leste and Laos.

Balakrishnan said teams in this region had made vast progress in the game because of their stronger national leagues.

“We have a one-month Felda League and it is not enough to see us make an impact at higher level,” said Balakrishnan, who felt that they would be finding it difficult to repeat their success in the last SEA Games in Korat in 2007 when they picked up the silver after losing to Thailand in the final.

However, Balakrishnan said he was pleased with the team’s preparations during their two-week stint in Uzbekistan where they lost all five friendly matches – against FC Stroitel Zaravshan (5-1), FC Ardus (10-1, 2-1), Uzbekistan (5-1, 3-2).

Balakrishnan said they played against top club sides as Stroitel and FC Ardus were the current champions and runners-up of the current Uzbekistan Futsal League.

Malaysia have never beaten Thailand in the AFF series since the inaugural championship in Shah Alam in 2001.

Malaysia have qualified for the final twice, in 2003 and 2005, but ended up playing bridesmaid to the Thais, losing 0-4 and 1-5 respectively.

The Thais thrashed Malaysia 13-0 in the semi-finals in 2007 and 4-0 at the same stage last year.








Posted by Luca Ranocchiari --> luca.ranocchiari@futsalplanet.com