Malaysia team coach makes shocking statement about wanting to defeat U.23 Vietnam at SEA Games 33

Coach of the Malaysian U.23 team, Nafuzi Zain, was heavily criticized for confirming that he was very passive in focusing on preparing for the 33rd SEA Games, missing the golden opportunity at FIFA Days in November. But he just announced a shocking goal.

Coach Nafuzi Zain wants to defeat U.23 Vietnam and enter the semi-finals of SEA Games 33

On the day the list of 25 U.23 Malaysia players was announced to officially gather to prepare for the 33rd SEA Games, Coach Nafuzi Zain affirmed that the goal is to overcome U.23 Vietnam in the group stage, get a ticket to the semi-finals and try to advance to the final match to compete for the gold medal in men's football.

U.23 Vietnam (red shirt) will have a clear path to the semi-finals of SEA Games 33, while group stage opponent U.23 Malaysia may give up early due to lack of preparation.

Photo: Dong Nguyen Khang

"This is our target. Our plan is to start preparing through training sessions with the training camp taking place at the end of November. I hope to be able to assemble the best squad to represent Malaysian football at this year's SEA Games.

"U.23 Malaysia's first goal is to defeat the main opponent in the group, U.23 Vietnam, to get a ticket to the semi-finals, before trying to advance to the final match," coach Nafuzi Zain emphasized in a statement posted on the homepage of the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) on November 21.

Previously, football expert and former famous Malaysian player, Mr. Jamal Nasir criticized coach Nafuzi Zain for being negligent and passive, when for some reason he did not propose to gather the Malaysian U.23 team during FIFA Days in November to train the troops, missing a golden opportunity to prepare for the 33rd SEA Games.

Meanwhile, most of the teams in the region from U.23 Thailand (host) to U.23 Vietnam, U.23 Indonesia and even the Singapore team are all focusing on preparing and participating in tournaments, or playing friendly matches to gain experience.

"I really don't understand why Nafuzi didn't seize this moment (the FIFA Days period in November). This was the perfect opportunity to call up the players, test them and start shaping the squad for the 33rd SEA Games. Now, precious time is passing," criticized Mr. Jamal Nasir, after hearing that coach Nafuzi Zain admitted that he could not gather the U.23 Malaysia team this time.

"If we don't focus on training for testing and practice matches this time, how will we know which players are really ready? Nafuzi may have his reasons, but in my opinion as a former player and coach, this is negligence. Even if the clubs do not allow players to join the national team, the national team (U.23 Malaysia) management should be more proactive," Mr. Jamal Nasir emphasized.

List of 25 U.23 Malaysia players officially gathered to prepare for SEA Games 33

Photo: Screenshot of FA Malaysia/X

Facing this pressure, Coach Nafuzi Zain has just announced that the plan of the U.23 Malaysia team is to gather about 25 players and start training from November 26 to December 4. Then, on December 5, the whole team will depart for Songkhla, Thailand, where the matches in Group B of the men's football event of the 33rd SEA Games will take place.

Among the 25 players of the U.23 Malaysia squad announced by coach Nafuzi Zain, there is defender Ubaidullah Shamsul (of Terengganu FC) who is very notable as he has played for the national team 4 times. Next to him are 2 strikers Fergus Tierney (of Scottish origin) and Haqimi Azim, who belong to the top clubs in the Malaysia Super League, Sabah FC and Kuala Lumpur City FC, respectively.

In addition, there are also players Aysar Hadi (Johor Darul Ta'zim Club), Haziq Kutty Abba of Penang FC, and players of Selangor FC Club such as Alif Izwan, Haykal Danish and Muhammad Abu Khalil...

At the 33rd SEA Games, U.23 Malaysia is in Group B with U.23 Vietnam and U.23 Laos. According to the latest schedule, all matches in this group will take place at Tinsulanon Stadium in Songkhla Province, including the opening match between U.23 Laos and U.23 Vietnam on December 4; U.23 Malaysia and U.23 Laos on December 7; and the final match between U.23 Vietnam and U.23 Malaysia on December 11. All matches will take place at 6:30 p.m.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/hlv-doi-malaysia-tuyen-bo-gay-soc-muon-ha-u23-viet-nam-tai-sea-games-33-185251122112149365.htm