So today the second match malaysia vs Laos afc u23 group J. While China vs Philippines. First match malaysia win 3-0 against Philippines at stadium Shah Alam. Now the second match is the same venue.
Standing Group J :
- CHINA 6 POINTS
- MALAYSIA 3 POINTS
- PHILIPPINES 0 POINTS
- LAOS 0 POINTS
China beat 8-0 Philippines today , quite tough to malaysia team to get as many goal this match. Hopefully when malaysia vs china, malaysia can win this game or draw at least. Its seem china is a strong team, but we knows that ong kim swee should take note for the last game.
Malaysia U-23 head coach Ong Kim Swee has urged his players to produce a positive result against Laos in the 2020 AFC U-23 Championship Qualifiers on Sunday.
The coach believes that a win against the Southeast Asian side at the Bukit Jalil National Stadium in Kuala Lumpur in their second group game will give them much confidence heading into their crucial final group fixture against China PR on March 26.
“I have told my boys the importance of producing an impressive performance [on Sunday] as they need it to set the tone for the match against China,” said Kim Swee.
China, coached by former Korea Republic and Russia manager Guus Hiddink, had defeated Laos 5-0 in their opener while Malaysia thrashed regional rivals Philippines 3-0.
“We have to respect Laos and play to our strengths for three points. I have reminded my players not to bother about other factors except for the match. If we reach the last game [against China] and need to win, then we have to win to qualify,” said Kim Swee during the news conference on the eve of the match.
Meanwhile, Malaysia U-23 captain Safawi Rasid talked about the importance of scoring as many goals as possible in their qualification fixtures.
While the group winners progress directly to the tournament proper to be held in Thailand next January, four best second-placed teams from the 11 groups will also make it to the continental championship.
“Goal difference could decide our destiny if we finish second behind China in the group. Scores in some of the other group matches were big, so we need to pile up the goals,” said the Johor Darul Ta’zim star.
COACH V. Sundramoorthy has always had that element of luck against Malaysian teams.
His most memorable achievement was guiding LionsXII to the Super League crown in 2013, which humiliated Malaysian clubs, including Johor Darul Ta’zim and Selangor.
In 2016, the former Singapore coach helped his former S-League club, Tampines Rovers to record back-to-back wins over Selangor in the group stage of the AFC Cup.
As a player for both Singapore and Kedah in the M-League, he was the nightmare of defenders.
However, luck deserted him last year in the AFF Cup when his Laos side lost 3-1 to Malaysia, despite scoring first.
The 54-year-old hopes his luck will return in today’s AFC Under-23 qualifying match against Ong Kim Swee’s national youth side at the Shah Alam Stadium.
In their opening Group J matches on Friday, Laos were hammered 5-0 by China while Malaysia defeated the Philippines 3-0.
Malaysia goals were scored by Akhyar Rashid (fourth and 31st minutes) and Faisal Halim (83rd).
Sundramoorthy is regarded as one of the best tacticians in Southeast Asian football.
LIVE STREAMING MALAYSIA U23 VS LAOS AFC U23 24 MARCH 2019.
He often instructs his teams to park the bus after scoring a goal, which has been effective in attaining success.
For national youth coach Ong Kim Swee, he has the ability to bring out the best of his players and with an experienced attack, his side are expected to take three points today.
Kim Swee’s side cannot afford to be wasteful against Laos as goal difference is one of the criteria that would be applied to decide the best four second-placed teams over 11 groups for the tournament proper next year.
“I have told my boys the importance of producing an impressive performance tomorrow as they need it to set the tone for the match against China.
“We have to respect Laos and play to our strengths for three points.
“I have reminded my players not to bother about other factors except for the match.
“If we reach the last game (against China) and need to win, then we have to win to qualify,” said Kim Swee.
Captain Safawi Rasid said his teammates are aware of the need to improve their finishing against Laos.
“Goal difference could decide our destiny if we finish second behind in the group. Scores in some of the other group matches were big, so we need to pile up the goals,” said Safawi.
Kim Swee could opt for Jafri Firdaus Chew and Izzan Syahmi Mustapa in attack after seeing Hadi Fayyadh Razak and Nik Azli Nik Alias misfiring in the opening match.
On Matchday 2 of the ongoing AFC U-23 Championship 2020 qualifiers, Group J member Laos U-23 will take on Malaysia U-23 in their second match.
In their opening fixture of the AFC U-23 Championship 2020 qualifiers, Laos suffered a 0-5 loss against China U-23 which took an obvious toll in their confidence ahead of their second match in the competition.
While Laos’ weaknesses have been exposed, they are determined to return to put up a tough fight for its group members before they are certain of their fate in the competition. The former would need that level of confidence, especially considering that their opponents Malaysia kickstarted their AFC U-23 Championship 2020 qualifiers with a 3-0 win over the Philippines.
It will now be interesting to see which of the two teams will move an inch closer to playing in the continental football tournament that is scheduled to be held in Thailand next year
When to watch?
The match between Laos vs Malaysia will take place on March 24, and kicks-off by 8:45 PM SGT.
The KLFA Stadium in Malaysia will play host to the game.
Where to watch?
Follow FOX Sports Asia for Live coverage of AFC U-23 Championship 2020 qualifiers.
Laos and Malaysia are all set to go head-to-head in AFC U-23 Championship 2020 Qualifiers action at the KLFA Stadium in Malaysia.
The Laos U-23 side have something to prove following a 5-0 drubbing in their previous game at the hands of China PR, while Malaysia bagged a convincing 3-0 victory over Philippines in their first outing.
Group J is staring at polar opposites in Malaysia and Laos, but the clash between the two teams could prove to be an interesting one, specially with the latter out there with something to prove.
With the tournament already heating up, it is time for the big players from both sides to pick their games up and perform their very best for the country as they look to seal their spot in the AFC U-23 Championships in 2020.
