Courtesy: The star

Malaysia get tough draw in AFC Futsal Finals

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia, who topped Group A at the recently held Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Futsal qualifiers, will come up against tough encounters following the draw for the tournament proper which was released yesterday.

In the draw conducted at the Zarafshon Hall in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, Malaysia were drawn in Group A alongside hosts Uzbekistan, China and Taiwan.

“I know that there will be some tough matches but that is no reason why we should not strive to do well in the competition.

“I have faith in my players and hope we can spring a surprise or two,” said Malaysian national futsal head coach P. Balakrishnan.

Seven-time Asian Futsal champions Iran have been drawn in Group D, regarded as the group of death, alongside Thailand, Indonesia and Turkmenistan.

Group C is the most open of the four groups with newcomers Australia and Kyrgyzstan, beaten semi-finalists last year, crossing swords with Kuwait and Lebanon.

The AFC Futsal Championship will be held from May 21-27,

The group phase matches will be played from May 21-24, with the semi-finals - only for the group winners - to be played on May 26. The final will be played on May 27.

THE DRAW

Group A: Uzbekistan, China, Chinese Taipei, MALAYSIA

Group B: Japan, Tajikistan, Iraq, Hong Kong

Group C: Australia, Kyrgyzstan, Kuwait, Lebanon

Group D: Iran, Thailand, Indonesia, Turkmenistan. – Bernama




Courtesy: Bernama.com


National Futsal Squad Face First Major Test


KUALA LUMPUR, May 1 (Bernama) -- The newly assembled Malaysian national futsal team enter a new battle zone in Bangkok when the Asean Football Federation (AFF) Futsal Championship kicks off, Tuesday.

Although rumours are rife that Timor Leste may not compete due to financial reasons, the presence of powerhouses Indonesia and Thailand will make the competition a lot keener.

Just like Malaysia, both Thailand and Indonesia are in the final rounds of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Futsal Championship to be held in Tashkent, Uzbekistan at the end of the month.

"We had some good games in Kuantan (for the AFC qualifiers), so it is time now to go to the next level and compete with the likes of Indonesia and Thailand who made it to the AFC meet based on standings and not through a qualifier like us," said Malaysian national futsal coach P. Balakrishnan in the Football Association of Malaysia website.

"Based on that aspect alone, there should be a realisation that both Indonesia and Thailand are of some standing and they will definitely give us a tough match."

For the tournament, Malaysia are drawn in Group B along with Cambodia, Vietnam and Indonesia while Group A consists of hosts Thailand, Brunei, Myanmar and Timor Leste.

Balakrishnan said that the team in Bangkok are made up of almost the same players who had done so well in Kuantan by beating Vietnam 8-6, Maldives 8-0 and Cambodia 9-2 before drawing with Turkmenistan 5-5.

"After emerging runners-up in the championship last year, the pressure will be on us to repeat that feat or do better.

"But we are a new side and even though there are some old faces, combination play needs some time. I just want them to show the same kind of commitment they had shown in Kuantan," said Balakrishnan.

Malaysia's first match in the group is against Cambodia at 12pm tomorrow at the Huamark Indoor Stadium.

GROUP A: Thailand, Brunei, Myanmar, Timor Leste

GROUP B: MALAYSIA, Cambodia, Vietnam, Indonesia




Courtesy: The star


National futsal team eye top two finish in AFF tourney

PETALING JAYA: The national futsal team are aiming for a top two finish in the Asean Football Federation (AFF) Championship, which begins at the Hua Mak Indoor Stadium in Bangkok today.

Malaysia were the runners-up in the previous championship held last year in Bangkok.

Malaysia are in Group B with Cambodia, Vietnam and Indonesia. Group A comprises Brunei, Myanmar, Timor Leste and defending champions Thailand.

Malaysia together with Thailand and Indonesia are expected to use the championship as preparations for the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Championship Finals in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, from May 21-27.

National chief coach P. Balakrishnan said from Bangkok yesterday: “We had some good matches in Kuantan during the AFC qualifiers, so it is time now to go to the next level.

“We expect Thailand and Indonesia to be our biggest obstacles.”

Balakrishnan will be using the same players who took part in the AFC qualifiers last month in Kuantan.

The team beat Vietnam 8-6, Maldives 8-0 and Cambodia 9-2 before drawing 5-5 with Turkmenistan to qualify for the AFC Finals.

“The aim is of course to do well and after emerging as the runners-up in the championship last year. We know that the pressure is on us to repeat that performance or to better it,” said Balakrishnan.

“The team still need more time to become a strong side and this championship is the right platform.”

Malaysia open their campaign against Cambodia today.

THE GROUPINGS

Group A: Thailand, Brunei, Myanmar, Timor Leste.

Group B: Malaysia, Cambodia, Vietnam, Indonesia.

TODAY'S MATCHES

Group A: Myanmar vs Timor Leste; Thailand vs Brunei.

Group B: Malaysia vs Cambodia; Vietnam vs Indonesia.



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