Malaysian fans demand AFC change rules after U17 team is eliminated.

Some Malaysian fans expressed dissatisfaction with the elimination of the Malaysian U17 team from the 2026 AFC U17 Championship and made rather unreasonable demands.

Malaysia (left) lost to Vietnam 0-4 in the final match of the 2026 AFC U17 Championship qualifiers - Photo: FAM

Specifically, under the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) post about the U17 Malaysia team's 0-4 loss to Vietnam and missing out on a spot in the 2026 U17 Asian Championship, a fan named Jacklyn Sanchez Chia wrote: "The U17 World Cup expanded to 48 teams, with Asia having 8 slots. Yet the 2026 U17 Asian Championship still only has 16 teams. Why not expand to 24 teams?"

This comment received a lot of mixed reactions. Some fans agreed, saying that the AFC should increase the number of teams to create more opportunities for youth teams.

However, many Malaysian fans also believe that their team, with such a low level of skill, should not participate in the Asian tournament.

A fan named Regista wrote: "Don't let such a weak team participate in the Asian tournament, it really doesn't deserve it." Another fan named Champist commented: "This isn't the issue. The Malaysian U17 team is too weak."

Many fans also expressed disappointment with Malaysian youth football and argued that Malaysian teams wouldn't win without naturalization. "Our youth teams, and even the national team, are still far below Asian standards." Fan Pangala commented: "Disappointing, focus on youth football instead of naturalization."

Malaysian media also expressed considerable disappointment when reporting on their U17 team. Astro Stadium newspaper used the word "disastrous defeat" to headline the Malaysian U17 team's loss to Vietnam U17. The article also described the Vietnamese U17 players as too strong and having the advantage of playing on home ground.

HOAI DU

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/u17-bi-loai-cdv-malaysia-doi-afc-doi-luat-20251201024402108.htm