Malaysia finish as top Asean team at Under-15 World Cup
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia finished a respectable 56th out of 189 teams at the Under-15 Festival and World Cup, ending their campaign as the highest-ranked Asean side despite missing out on the Tier B title.
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia concluded their Under-15 Festival and World Cup campaign in 56th place out of 189 teams, securing the top spot among Asean teams. Despite the disappointing end, the boys under P. Maniam's guidance showcased a commendable performance throughout the tournament. The team suffered a 2-0 loss to Lebanon in the Tier B final at the Hovsan Competition Complex, Baku, Azerbaijan, following a narrow 3-2 defeat to Qatar on penalties after a goalless draw in the semi-finals.
While Malaysia had missed out on the Tier B title, they had displayed resilience and created numerous opportunities throughout their run. The team had started their group campaign strongly with three wins, including victories over Dominica and Syria, and a convincing 5-0 thrashing of Ethiopia. They also held Hungary to a 1-1 draw but ultimately failed to advance to Tier A after losing to Mexico.
Malaysia's knockout journey began with a 6-2 defeat to South Africa, followed by a 4-2 victory over Jamaica in the round of 16. Their run culminated in a quarter-final loss to China and an elimination from the tournament following a 3-1 loss to China and a 5-4 penalty shootout loss to Qatar.
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