Asean Football Federation's (AFF) Futsal Championship
Bangkok (Thailand)
26/4-1/5/2005

Asean Football Federation's (AFF) Futsal Championships Story:
26/4-1/5/2005 Bangkok - Thailand 2005 - ?
1-7/7/2003 Kuantan - Malaysia 2003 - THAILAND
7-9/6/2001 Shah Alam - Malaysia 2001 - THAILAND


Courtesy: thestar.com.my

Coach Machado says Malaysia can beat Thais in futsal

PETALING JAYA: Malaysia are hoping to dethrone defending champions Thailand in the third Asean Football Federation's (AFF) Futsal championship in Bangkok from April 26 to May 1.

National coach Silvio Sergio Machado from Brazil said the Malaysian players are ready to face the challenge after failing to get the better of the Thais in the previous two championships.

“Technically, our boys have improved a lot and should be able to match the Thais this time,” said Machado.

“Our preparations have also been better and the players have narrowed down the gap in standards. There is no reason why we cannot take on the Thais. We are able to match them physically but the problem has been with mental capacity,'' said Machado after a training session with the national team at the Sports Unlimited Futsal Indoor hall in Section 13 here yesterday.

He said the players would be attending mental training sessions under qualified sports psychologists from the National Sports Council (NSC) before the AFF championship next month.

Hosts Malaysia finished third behind champions Thailand and Singapore at the inaugural AFF championship held at the Melawati Indoor Stadium in Shah Alam in 2001.

They finished runners-up in the second championship, losing to Thailand 0-4 in the final held at the Pahang Indoor Sports Complex (Sukpa) in Bandar Indera Mahkota in Kuantan in 2003.

The team are also preparing for the Asian Futsal championship, which will be hosted by Vietnam from May 22 to June 4. Malaysia are drawn with Japan, Indonesia and Guam.