KUALA LUMPUR: Despite mixed results in friendlies, national youth coach Juan Garrido believes his team are on the right track for the Under-23 Asian Cup in Doha next week.
The Young Tigers played four friendlies in the build-up to the tournament, securing a 2-1 victory and a 1-1 draw against India, followed by a 2-1 defeat to China and a 1-0 loss to Qatar.
Gariddo said these matches have helped him identify his team's strengths and weaknesses ahead of the Under-23 Asian Cup.
"The matches against China and Qatar were a good test. They tested us with their high-paced game," said Garrido.
The Spaniard revealed that Aiman Afif suffered an injury in the defeat to Qatar at the Abdullah Bin Khalifa Stadium on Sunday.
Midfielder Ubaidullah Shamsul Fazili said his teammates now understand each other better thanks to the friendly matches.
"Against Qatar, we struggled to adapt and easily lost the ball. However, we grew in confidence as the game progressed.
Malaysia will open their Group D campaign in Doha against Uzbekistan on April 17, followed by matches against Vietnam (April 20) and Kuwait (April 23).
The team hope to reach the quarter-finals in Doha.
