Olympic Hopes In Tatters

27 Mac, 2015

Malaysia's goalkeeper Mohd Farhan looks on as Vietnam midfielder Vo Huy Toan (second left)
celebrates his goal. Malaysia lost 2-1. - IZZRAFIQ ALIAS / The Star

SHAH ALAM: Malaysia can kiss goodbye to their hopes of playing in next year’s Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.

Coach Razip Ismail’s team went down 1-2 to Vietnam in their opening Group I match of the AFC Under-23 Championship qualifiers at the Shah Alam Stadium.

Malaysia went ahead through skipper Mohd Nazirul Naim’s free-kick in the 33rd minute, but Vietnam fought back with goals by Vo Huy Toan (38th) and Nguyen Cong Phuong (43rd).

In an earlier match, favourites Japan thrashed minnows Macau 7-0 to head the group. Wataru Endo (22nd), Yuta Toyokawa (26th), Gakuto Notsuda (31st, 91st), Musashi Suzuki (66th) and Takumi Minamino (93rd) were the scorers. Macau’s Tang Hou Fai netted an own goal in the 33rd minute.

Malaysia should beat Macau on Saturday. The Malaysians’ biggest test is against Japan on Tuesday as they need a win to finish second in the group.

Only the top 10 group winners plus the five second best-placed runners-up qualify for next year’s Finals in Qatar. From there, only the top four will play in the Olympics.

Sumber - K. Rajan, Star Online www.thestar.com.my