Indonesian and Malaysian U-22 Squads Drawn Into 'Group of Death'

Indonesian national team coach, Luis Milla, leads the selection process for members of the Indonesian Football National Team U-22.

Kuala Lumpur, 19 Jumadil Akhir 1438/18 March 2017 (MINA) – The Malaysian national under-22 (U-22) football squad have a tough route after being drawn into the Group of Death for the qualifying round of the U-23 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Cup to be held in China in 2018.

Frank Bernhardt’s men were drawn in Group H along with Indonesia, Mongolia, as well as Thailand, which will host the qualifying group, Bernama reported.

A total of 40 countries divided into 10 groups will compete for a place in the finals in China from Feb 9 to 17 next year.

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The qualifying round is scheduled to take place from July 19-23, in which 10 group winners and six best runners-up will qualify for the finals.

Meanwhile, AFC secretary-general Datuk Windsor Paul John said looking at the draw today, the national team would face an uphill task going up against arch-rivals Indonesia and Thailand.

“It is the best opportunity for the Malaysian squad to gauge the compatibility of the team, because they’re likely the same teams Malaysia would face at the SEA Games,” he said when met at the draw ceremony at the AFC House in Bukit Jalil today.

The Malaysian national U-22 squad is currently in Dubai for the Dubai Cup U-23 Championship in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) which began Monday. (T/RS5/RS1)

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Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)