Tue, 30 Nov, -0001
Nay Pyi Taw: Malaysia edge closer to the AFC U-14 Championship 2014 finals as they battered Brunei Darussalam 11-0 in their qualifying Group E match at the Wunna Theik Stadium in Myanmar on Sunday.
Midfielder Aliff Haiqal Lokman Hakim Lau scored a triple while Muhammad Hadi Fayyadh Abdul Razak, skipper Arif Shaqirin Bin Suhaimi and Muhammad Izreen Izwandy scored a brace each. Shivan Pillay Asokan and Wan Muhammad Uwais Qorni Wan Khairul Asri chipped a goal each.
K. Gunalan’s Malaysian side, having gained 10 points from four matches, are now neck-and-neck with Timor Leste who lead Group E on a five-goal superiority over the Malaysians.
Malaysia will be facing Vietnam, who are also still in contention for the finals ticket and are trailing Malaysia by a point, in their last match on Monday.
Yussof Abdul Rashid’s Brunei, who are now at the bottom of the group, are already out of reckoning for the finals and will be up against hosts Myanmar in their last tie.
Iran, Korea Republic, Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan, DPR Korea and Iraq have already booked their tickets to the finals after finishing their respective qualifying groups.
The results of the ongoing Group E and also Group F, both in Myanmar, will complete the qualification stage of the eight-nation inaugural U-14 tournament.
Group E standings as of Sunday:
Timor Leste – 10 points
Malaysia – 10 points
Vietnam – 9 points
Myanmar – 3 points
Philippines – 3 points
Brunei Darussalam – 0 points