Malaysia's coach Tan Cheng Hoe

Malaysia narrowly beat Thailand 1-0 to advance to the AFC U19 Championship in Uzbekistan next year.

“We encountered many challenges in the Thailand match but we proved our strength. We did not expect a draw. We aimed for victory and we made it,” said Malaysia U19 manager Brad Maloney.

While praising the U19 team, national team manager Tan Cheng Hoe said the senior team will do the same.

“The senior team will follow their juniors to thrash Thailand in our upcoming World Cup 2022 qualifier. We once beat them in the AFF Cup 2018 semis,” The Star quoted Tan Cheng Hoe as saying, “The gap between ASEAN teams has no longer existed. We are confident of winning over them at home. Thailand is nothing to be afraid of,”

Malaysia currently ranks 4th in group G with three points. They lost to Vietnam and the UAE and must win all the remaining games to advance to the next round of World Cup qualifiers.

Malaysia will host Thailand at 7:45pm on Thursday.