Courtesy: The Star


Malaysia aim to maintain top 10 place

PETALING JAYA: Malaysia will be hoping to maintain their top 10 ranking in the AFC futsal championship, which kicks off in Kobe, Japan on Sunday.

Team manager Hamidin Mohd Amin said that their aim is to finish among the top 10 of the competition in order to ensure direct entry to next year's championships.

“If we don't finish in the top 10 we will have to play in the qualifiers next time,” he said yesterday.

Malaysia have been drawn with seven-time champions Iran in Group D. They also have tough customers China and Lebanon for company.

The top two in the group will qualify for the quarter-finals.

Defending champions Japan are in Group A with the Philippines, Hong Kong and Tajikistan.

Asean champions Thailand and Uzbekistan, the runners-up in the Asian meet in 2001 and last year, are favourites in Group B, which also have Kuwait and Iraq.

Group C comprises Australia, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan and South Korea.



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