Nafuzi Zain, head coach of Malaysia U23 National Team has emphasized the importance of starting strong as his young squad prepares to face the Philippines in their AFF U23 Mandiri Cup 2025 Group A opener, with the mission clear: secure all three points.
Drawn into a challenging group that also features host nation Indonesia and Brunei, Malaysia’s path to the knockout stage will require nothing short of consistency, tactical discipline, and composure under pressure.
“This is a tough group. Facing teams like Indonesia, Philippines, and Brunei will never be an easy task,” Nafuzi admitted. “But we are here to give our best and aim for a spot in the next round. I’m excited for the tournament to begin.”
Nafuzi, who recently transitioned into the international scene following his domestic coaching stints, will rely heavily on a youthful squad — with only six players having prior international experience.
“This is a new challenge for me and the team. Most of the players are young talents being developed specifically for this tournament,” he explained. “Our full focus is on the first match against the Philippines. That will set the tone for our campaign.”
While the ultimate goal is to reach the final, Nafuzi remains grounded in his approach.
“Our immediate target is to reach the semi-finals, and everything starts with that opening game. It’s the first hurdle before we shift our attention to matches against Brunei and Indonesia.”
Malaysia U-23 will begin their Group A campaign on 15 July against the Philippines, followed by their second group fixture against Brunei on 18 July. The decisive clash of the group is expected to come on 21 July, when Malaysia face tournament hosts Indonesia at Gelora Bung Karno Stadium, a potential group decider for the top spot.
Credit Photo : FAM
