Malaysia U16 national team out from this tournament after tied with Australia U19 national team with a score of 2-2 in the AFF U16 Championship 2022 Group stage Group C at Maguwoharjo Stadium, Sleman.
Obliged to record a victory to advance to the semi-finals, Osmera Omaro’s men were however unable to realize that dream thus destroying their hopes of repeating the achievement of the national squad emerging as champions in the 2019 edition.
Malaysia U19 was shocked in the 17th minute when Ayman Gulasi opened the scoring but the advantage was erased by Anjasmirza Saharudin 19 minutes later for both teams to go to the dressing room with a 1-1 result.
Anjasmirza gave hope to the national squad with the second goal during the action of the second half just three minutes into the game.
However, Max Hately became the destroyer of hopes when the action entered the 65th minute to return to level the score.
The national players tried to put pressure on Australia late in the game to get the winning goal, but the finisher’s bluntness thwarted their efforts and Malaysia had to return to Kuala Lumpur empty-handed.
The team slot to the semi-finals from group C was filled by Myanmar who successfully defeated Cambodia 1-0.
The format of the competition in this edition saw only the group champion automatically qualify for the semi-finals while another slot belonged to the best of the three teams in second position.
With six points, it means that the slot belongs to Vietnam leaving Laos and Malaysia who collected five points.
Credit Photo : FAM
