Bola Malaysia 08 : Tigers no underdogs insists coach

4 July 2008
http://www.the-afc.com/eng/articles/viewArticle.jsp_167477313.html

KUALA LUMPUR – Malaysia coach B. Sathianathan insists his side have every chance of qualifying to the next AFC Asian Cup even though the 2007 tournament co-hosts are considered one of the Group C outsiders.

“Although Uzbekistan enjoys a slight edge as the favourites and seeded team, the prospect of upsetting the formbook is always there,” Sathianathan told the Football Association of Malaysia’s official website.

Malaysia co-hosted the last AFC Asian Cup and from a footballing perspective it was a tournament to forget for the Tigers.

In addition to defeats by China and Iran, the Malaysians were hammered 5-0 by Uzbekistan, whose performances in Kuala Lumpur helped Rauf Inileev win the 2007 AFC Coach of the Year award.

The UAE, who together with India complete the Group C line-up, have also defeated the Malaysians on home soil, although Sathianathan will not be reading too much into last June’s 3-1 loss in Kelana Jaya.

Of more interest to the Malaysian coach will be the form of the under 23’s, who quickly restored some sporting pride in the ASEAN nation following their Asian Cup debacle when they lost just once in five matches on route to winning the Merdeka Cup last August.

The U-23s also acquitted themselves reasonably well at the 2007 SEA Games defeating Laos and drawing with Singapore, only failing to advance from the group stage due to an opening round defeat to an impressive Vietnam side.

Sathianathan may opt to blend a number of the youngsters with some experienced heads as they look get their AFC Asian Cup 2011 qualifying campaign off to a good start.

Malaysia open at home to the UAE on January 14 before an away match with Group C’s lowest ranked side India a fortnight later.