KUALA LUMPUR, July 19 (Bernama) -- The national Under-19 football team began their title defence in style by hammering Brunei 11-0 in a Group C match of the ASEAN Under-19 Championship at the Gelora 10 November Stadium in Surabaya, Indonesia today.
Coach Juan Torres Garrido's boys, who emerged triumphant in the 2022 edition, needed just two minutes to open accounts through G. Pavitran.
The Malaysian team then added another five goals in the first half for a comfortable 6-0 lead. The goals came courtesy of Abid Safaraz Rozaidi (14th, 16th minutes), Danish Hakimi Sahaludin (25th), Mohammad Haykal Danish Mohd Haizon (42nd) and Pavitran (43rd).
Brunei's day went from bad to worse in the second half when Filipino referee Clifford Daypuyat awarded Malaysia a penalty in the 53rd minute which Izzat Muhammad Syahir Mohd Zulishan converted with aplomb for them to go 7-up.
The Malaysian boys were not done yet, though, as Amir Farhan (68th) and Zamirul Hakim (75th) found the back of the net before Abid Safaraz completed his hattrick in the 80th minute.
Substitute Muhammad Shafizan Mohamad Arshad then wrapped up the proceedings with the final goal of the day two minutes later.
Malaysia, who also won the title in 2018, will take on Singapore on Monday (July 22) before completing their Group C fixtures against Thailand on Thursday (July 25).
-- BERNAMA
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