Tough draw for Malaysia in futsal meet

PETALING JAYA: Malaysia have a tough draw and they are pitted against last year’s finalists Thailand and Indonesia in the seventh Asean Football Federation (AFF) futsal championship scheduled for June 6-14 in Ho Chi Minh City.

Team manager Hamidin Mohd Amin said that they were surprised by the lop-sided draw that had three semi-finalists from last year’s competition — champions Thailand, runners-up Indonesia and third-placed Malaysia — in Group A.

“An official protest had been lodged but we have not received any reply on the matter,” said Hamidin yesterday.

Myanmar are the other team in Group A. The teams in Group B are Vietnam, Brunei, Timor Leste and Laos.

The national team under coach P. Balakrishnan will leave for Uzbekistan today for a series of friendly matches.

Malaysia, silver medallists at the 2007 Korat SEA Games, have never beaten Thailand in the AFF series since the inaugural championship in Shah Alam in 2001.

Malaysia have qualified for the final twice, in 2003 and 2005, but ended up playing bridesmaid to the Thais, losing 0-4 and 1-5 respectively.

The Thais thrashed Malaysia 13-0 in the semi-finals in 2007 and 0-4 at the same stage last year.

Hamidin said that they hoped to qualify for the final in the upcoming tournament.