Latest news with #AFF
The Star
3 hours ago
- Sport
- The Star
Ubaidullah highlights valuable lessons learned from hiccup at AFF C'ship
Hopeful: Ubaidullah Shamsul Fazili (right) believes the upcoming centralised training camp will serve as a platform to regroup, sharpen their tactical awareness, and strengthen their unity. — Terengganu FC PETALING JAYA: Whether it's two days or two weeks of preparation, Malaysia Under-23 football team captain and defender Ubaidullah Shamsul Fazili believes that they must learn to adapt quickly if they are to progress on the world stage. Following the Harimau Muda's early exit in the AFF Under-23 Championship, the midfielder did not hide his disappointment but insisted that valuable lessons were learned – particularly in terms of experience and on-field awareness. 'I'm disappointed. We didn't get to the next stage,' said Ubaidullah, who plays for Terengganu in the Super League. 'We have to move on and take this as a lesson. We have a bigger assignment coming.' That next challenge is the AFC Under-23 Asian Cup qualifiers in September, where Malaysia will face Thailand, Lebanon and Mongolia – a group Ubaidullah acknowledges as tough but not impossible to navigate. 'We have to qualify. It is important. The last AFC tournament, we qualified on merit. If we have good preparation and a solid plan, nothing is impossible.' The 22-year-old, who wore the armband during the AFF campaign, pointed to communication breakdowns and lack of in-game decision-making as critical areas that need improvement before the qualifiers. 'We have the chemistry, but on the field, our communication is less. This is for myself as well. In some situations, we didn't know what to do,' he admitted. 'We may look emotional because of the shouting at each other, but adrenaline is high. These moments will help us to mature. Next tournament, the boys will know what to do. We will move forward.' Ubaidullah believes professionalism starts with personal responsibility, especially with many players juggling club duties during pre-season or competitive league campaigns. 'Off or on season is not an issue. As professionals, we have to be prepared. We have to do it on our own and not expect everything from others.' He was also quick to defend the team's preparation time, stressing that the two weeks they had was enough, if used wisely. 'Every game, there was improvement. But in the national team, you need to adapt quickly and understand the demands. We had two weeks to prepare, which is ample enough. We have to be better.' Looking ahead, Ubaidullah hopes the upcoming centralised training camp will serve as a platform for the squad to regroup, sharpen their tactical awareness, and strengthen their unity. 'The biggest lesson I can take is experience. Our squad is still young and inexperienced, but this outing will mature us. 'I've learnt a lot and I know the team has too. I believe we will do better in the upcoming competition.' With Malaysia set to face stern tests in September, the leadership and clear-eyed honesty of their captain could be just what they need to turn disappointment into qualification.
The Star
a day ago
- Sport
- The Star
Early exit for Harimau Muda but Nafuzi sees silver lining
PETALING JAYA: Malaysia's early exit from the AFF Under-23 Championship may sting but it could also be the wake-up call Harimau Muda need ahead of their bigger test in September. A goalless draw against hosts Indonesia sealed their fate as the national youth side bowed out of the group stage at the Gelora Bung Tomo Stadium in Surabaya on Monday. Malaysia had earlier suffered a 0-2 defeat to the Philippines in the opening group match but defeated Brunei 7-1. Despite the disappointment, head coach Nafuzi Zain sees the campaign as a valuable stepping stone before the AFC Under-23 Asian Cup qualifiers. 'There's disappointment but I'm proud of their commitment. It was not easy playing in this stadium,' said Nafuzi. 'We absorbed the pressure well and throughout the 90 minutes, Indonesia didn't have clear chances, except from long throw-ins.' While Malaysia lacked a cutting edge in the final third, they demonstrated tactical discipline and defensive composure, especially in how they neutralised the host nation's attacking threats. One of the standout performers was centreback Ubaidullah Shamsul Fazili, who silenced Indonesian strikers Jens Raven and Hokky Caraka with grit and aggression. What's more important is that he didn't show any fear during the game, which bodes well for his development. 'It was a high-pressure game, and to me, the players responded well,' said Nafuzi. 'This is an age-group competition, and some players are still gaining international experience, we surely need to plan better. 'Now, the players know what it takes to compete at this level and I hope it will help them mature and show growth in the game before the AFC Under-23 qualifiers.' With the AFF campaign now behind them, Nafuzi and his squad will turn their focus to the AFC U-23 qualifiers – where Malaysia will face stronger opponents and a higher level of intensity. 'It's now about learning from the defeat and stepping up when it matters most.'
Japan Times
6 days ago
- Sport
- Japan Times
Japan Football Association planning to join Asia bid for 2046 World Cup
The Japan Football Association is planning to join a bid to host the 2046 FIFA World Cup. If the bid is successful, Japan would host World Cup matches for the first time since the country co-hosted the World Cup with South Korea in 2002. The JFA aims to be part of a joint bid by the East Asian Football Federation, to which the Japanese association belongs, and the ASEAN Football Federation. In March, the two federations agreed to consider hosting a World Cup together. Japan, South Korea and China, as well as Indonesia and Australia, which have abandoned their own plans for co-hosting the 2034 World Cup, have voiced interest in staging matches for the 2046 event. The JFA hopes to host its second World Cup by 2050. The federation also has a goal of winning the tournament for the first time. A World Cup hosted by one country has become increasingly unrealistic due to the event expanding to feature more participants. The 2026 event will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, while the 2030 tournament will be held in Europe, Africa and South America. The hosting of the massive sporting event is typically rotated between continents, based on FIFA policy. As Saudi Arabia will host the 2034 World Cup, a JFA official said that the 2046 event "is the most realistic option" for submitting a bid.
The Star
15-07-2025
- Sport
- The Star
Nafuzi's men rue poor finishing after shock loss to Philippines
Non-stop attack: Malaysia's Mohd Harry Danish Mohd Haizon (top) battles for the ball with the Philippines goalkeeper Nicholas Guimaraes during their AFF U-23 Championship match at Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in Jakarta. — AP PETALING JAYA: Malaysia were made to rue a string of missed chances as a clinical Philippines side punished them and trooped off with a 2-0 win in their opening Asean Football Federation (AFF) Under-23 Championship Group A game at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in Jakarta yesterday. The Harimau Muda could have taken the lead as early as the sixth minute when winger Aliff Izwan Yuslan unleashed a stinging left-footed shot from the right, only to be denied by a sharp save from Filipino goalkeeper Nicholas Guimaraes. But it was the Young Azkals who struck first against the run of play. A swift counter-attack led by Javier Mariona set up striker Otu Abang Banatao, who calmly finished with a poacher's touch in the 13th minute. Malaysia nearly responded in the 19th minute when forward Haqimi Azim Rosli cut in from the left and rifled a shot that beat the keeper but crashed against the post. Despite enjoying 72% of the possession and creating 11 chances in the first half, the Young Tigers lacked the cutting edge to break through. Missed opportunities and a lack of composure in the final third proved costly. Things got worse in the 42nd minute when Banatao doubled the lead, this time latching onto a clever pass from Uriel Dalapo before slotting past helpless Malaysian keeper Zulhilmi Sharani. The 18-year-old striker's brace highlighted the Azkals' ruthless efficiency in front of goal. After the break, Malaysia turned up the intensity, pushing wingbacks higher up the pitch in search of a way back. However, the Filipino defence, marshalled superbly by centreback Gavin Muens, stood tall and unyielding. Coach Nafuzi Zain's men continued to dominate possession but were let down by a lack of creativity and decisiveness in the final third. Frustration grew as the minutes ticked away, with the Filipino backline repelling wave after wave of Malaysian attacks. The result leaves Malaysia with no margin for error. To stand any chance of a strong showing in the competition, they must now beat Brunei on Friday and hosts Indonesia on July 21 – both at the same venue. Nafuzi said ball-watching was the reason why they conceded the two goals but also asserted that his side did try to wrestle the game away from the Philippines. 'In terms of performance, we did well from the first minute to the end. We had our chances. In the first half, we made mistakes in defence,'' said Nafuzi. ''We allowed two easy goals. We didn't give up, we tried, had chances but just could not get it in the back of the net. 'From the beginning, we could see some players didn't settle down. We were ball watching and expecting others to help. I guess that led to the goals.'
New Straits Times
12-07-2025
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Ubaidullah, Haqimi touted as the ones to watch
KUALA LUMPUR: The Asean Football Federation (AFF) has named centre-back Ubaidullah Shamsul and striker Haqimi Azim Rosli as Malaysia's players to watch at the Asean Under-23 Championship from July 15-29 in Jakarta. Terengganu's Ubaidullah played every minute of the AFF Under-23 Championship two years ago, and also gave a strong showing in last season's Asean Club Championship (ACC). Ubaidullah has impressed with his tackling, positioning and ability to break lines with sharp passes from the back. Though Haqimi was not part of the Under-23 squad in 2023, the KL City striker has earned senior national call-ups and featured in the last two Asean Championships. He also played all five matches for KL City in the ACC, scoring the winner against Kaya FC-Iloilo of the Philippines. Malaysia are drawn in Group A alongside Indonesia, the Philippines and Brunei in the Asean Under-23 Championship.
