KUALA LUMPUR: Football critic Datuk Richard Scully believes that Malaysia could be the surprise package at the Under-23 Asian Cup in Doha from April 15 to May 5.
The Young Tigers will kick off their campaign against Uzbekistan on April 17, followed by matches against Vietnam (April 20) and Kuwait (April 23). Malaysia need to finish in the top two in Group D to reach the knockout stage.
Richard said the squad, coached by Spaniard Juan Torres Garrido, could pull off an upset in Doha.
He said although Uzbekistan, the 2018 champions, are tough opponents, Vietnam and Kuwait are beatable.
"On paper, Uzbekistan are the favourites. Their football has improved, from the youth to the senior sides, but we should have chances against them. If we can take advantage, the outcome of the match could change," said the former international.
"Vietnam have an experienced squad, but they seem to be unsettled in recent times, and I see that we have the quality to edge them. It's the same with Kuwait, we can beat them based on the quality of the players that we have."
Richard said the current national Under-23 team have several players who featured in the 2022 edition in Uzbekistan, and these players are now in their peak form.
He pointed out that the inclusion of several Under-23 players in the national senior team is another key indicator of the players' standards.
Richard reckoned that winger T. Saravanan, midfielder Mukhairi Ajmal Mahadi and defender Ubaidullah Shamsul should be able to bring their "Super League form" to Doha.
"I have observed the team, and some of the players have really shown growth since playing in the 2022 Under-23 Asian Cup. They were much younger at that time, and I believe they will be hungrier to prove something.
"These talents are inching closer to the senior squad, some of them had already earned senior caps as well. I believe we have some of the best talents in the region," said Richard.
Malaysia will be appearing in the Under-23 Asian Cup for the third time. Their best achievement was in 2018 in China, where they reached the quarter-finals before being edged 2-1 by South Korea. In 2022, Malaysia failed to get past the group stage.
