Malaysia Under-19 futsal head coach Rakphol Sainetngam expressed pride and satisfaction with his young squad after confirming a place in the semi-finals of the ASEAN U19 Boys Futsal Championship 2025, stressing that the team’s primary mission was development and exposure rather than silverware.
Speaking at the post-match press conference, the Thai tactician praised his players’ commitment and fighting spirit throughout the tournament, especially given their lack of international experience.
“First of all, I must praise the players. We came here for experience, and being able to play in the semi-finals is already a success. I have to thank the players for giving their all,” said Rakphol.
Rakphol openly acknowledged that regional powerhouses such as Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam possess stronger youth-level foundations, but insisted his players rose to the challenge admirably despite limited preparation time.
“We admit that Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam have stronger youth systems. Our preparation time was quite short, so at times our play looked a bit stiff. But the players performed well and earned their place in the semi-finals,” he explained.
When asked about potential semi-final opponents, Rakphol made it clear that Malaysia have no fear and no pressure, reiterating that the focus remains on growth rather than results.
“Who do we want to face in the semi-finals? Anyone is fine. We never came here expecting to win the title like Indonesia, Thailand or Vietnam. We came purely to give the players real experience,” he said.
The coach highlighted a key challenge in Malaysia’s youth futsal ecosystem, noting that domestic U19 competitions only began this year, involving roughly 12 teams, limiting competitive exposure for young players.
Rakphol believes the tournament has provided an invaluable learning platform, especially for players who had never previously competed at international level.
“Every team in the semi-finals is tough, but at this stage there’s no pressure. The players will gain even more experience. This tournament is truly a testing ground for our future,” he added.
He concluded by expressing personal satisfaction with his squad’s effort and mentality.
“Am I satisfied? Yes, I am satisfied with their commitment. They fought with everything they had and played for their country. The excitement, pressure and intensity here are all excellent lessons for our future,” Rakphol said.
Malaysia’s qualification for the last four stands as a significant milestone for a newly assembled squad, underlining a positive step forward in the nation’s long-term futsal development pathway.
Credit Photo : FAM
