21-07-2025
'Toothless' Young Tigers crash out of U-23 Asean Championship
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia crashed out of the Under-23 Asean Championship after a disappointing 0-0 draw with Group A winners and hosts Indonesia at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in Jakarta on Monday.
The result marks Malaysia's second-worst performance in the tournament's five-edition history.
Facing a fired-up Indonesia in front of a packed home crowd, the Young Tigers held their own in a cagey first half, which saw two yellow cards issued to each side.
Ziad El Basheer Norhisham was booked in the sixth minute, followed by Aysar Hadi Shapri in the 36th. Indonesia's Muhammad Rayhan (31st) and Toni Firmansyah (39th) also went into the referee's book.
The second half was livelier. Indonesia's Jens Raven had the best chance in the 58th minute, but Malaysia goalkeeper Zulhilmi Sharani pulled off a crucial save.
Just a minute later, Aiman Yusuf Nabil nearly gave Malaysia the lead, but his effort was safely gathered by Indonesian custodian Cahya Supriadi.
National youth coach Nafuzi Zain said: "We have failed to qualify for the semi-finals, and of course, we are disappointed.
"However, I am proud of my boys' performance against Indonesia in front of their fans.
"We managed pressure them, but it was not easy to create chances," he said.
With the result against bottom side Brunei not counted, Malaysia ended their campaign with just one point. Indonesia (four points) and the Philippines (three) progressed to the semi-finals.
Malaysia's worst-ever outing came in 2022 when they crashed out of a group that included only Laos after Myanmar and Indonesia withdrew. Malaysia lost both matches and failed to progress.
The Young Tigers fared better in the inaugural 2005 edition, finishing fourth after a 4-3 penalty shootout defeat to Myanmar following a 1-1 draw in regulation time.
A similar fate befell them in 2023, when they were beaten 4-3 on penalties by Thailand after another stalemate in regulation time.
