KUALA LUMPUR: The national under-19 (U-19) football squad were held to a 2-2 draw by their Cambodian counterparts in a closed training match at Stadium UiTM, Shah Alam, yesterday.
The Football Association of Malaysia (FAM), in a post on its Facebook, said the visitors took the lead in the seventh minute when Lim Lucca Thong converted a penalty kick.
Malaysia responded by launching waves of attacks and their efforts paid off when Muhamad Ridzwan equalised in the 37th minute. However, their joy was short-lived as Phoeuk Thatthai put Cambodia back into the lead three minutes later.
Haykal Danish scored from the penalty spot in the 63rd minute to earn Malaysia the draw.
The national U-19 squad began a week-long centralised training camp on July 7 in preparation for the 2024 Asean U-19 Championship in Surabaya, Indonesia, from July 17 to 29.
Malaysia will open their campaign in Group C with a match against Brunei on July 19, followed by Singapore on July 22, both at Stadium Gelora, before taking on Thailand on July 25 at Stadium Gelora Bung Tomo.
The group champions and the best team among the group runners-up will qualify for the semi-finals on July 27. The third-placing match and final will be played on July 29. – BERNAMA
