Razip Hopes To Kick Off 2016 U-23 AFC Cup Qualifier On Winning Note

PETALING JAYA (Selangor), March 26 (Bernama) -- National Under-22 (U-22) squad head coach Razip Ismail has set his sights on collecting all three points when his boys face Vietnam in their opening Group I Under-23 AFC Cup 2016 Qualifier at the Shah Alam Stadium on Friday. Razip, 52, a former international, said collecting three points in their first match would help motivate the players to clinch a slot for the final in Qatar, next January. "We must however, be cautious because Vietnam is a strong outfit and would also want to kick off their campaign on a winning note," he told Bernama when met after a training session at Wisma FAM, Kelana Jaya, here Wednesday. Razip said the players were in fine form after playing two friendly matches against Myanmar teams last week. Malaysia lost 0-3 to the Myanmar Under-20 squad at the Thuwunna Stadium in Yangon last Thursday and drew 1-1 against the Myanmar U-22 squad three days later. After Vietnam, Malaysia are scheduled to meet Macau on March 29 and Japan two days later, at the Shah Alam Stadium. Based on the format of the U-23 AFC Cup competition, the top 10 teams from each of the 10 groups and the five next best teams and the host make up the final. -- BERNAMA