U-23 Squad In Top Shape For Asian Cup Qualifiers – Nafuzi

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 1 (Bernama) -- National under-23 (U-23) head coach Nafuzi Zain believes that the squad he assembled for the U-23 Asian Cup 2026 Qualifiers campaign in Thailand can deliver positive results.

He expressed hope that the team would put on outstanding performances to advance to the U-23 Asian Cup finals in Saudi Arabia next January.

“Based on the players’ current form and condition, I feel their physical fitness is at its best. The commitment shown by the players has also been positive.

“So I hope they can deliver something better compared to what we have seen previously,” he said in a video shared by the Football Association of Malaysia yesterday.

Meanwhile, Harimau Muda striker Fergus Tierney, who joined the U-23 squad late due to his commitments with Sabah FC, said he would have no trouble adapting to the team.

He said he was excited to represent the national team in the tournament and hoped to help Malaysia achieve positive results.

“Thankfully, I am in good condition now. So I feel fit and ready to play,” he said.

Malaysia will kick off their qualifying campaign in Group F against Lebanon on Wednesday, followed by Mongolia (Saturday), before wrapping up their group fixtures against hosts Thailand on Sept 9.

Only the 11 group winners and four best runners-up will qualify for the finals in Saudi Arabia.

Malaysia last qualified for the U-23 Asian Cup in 2024 in Qatar, with the nation’s best achievement in the tournament being a quarter-final appearance at the 2018 edition in China.

-- BERNAMA