Malaysia can go far after drawn in easier group

Malaysia can go far in the football competition after being drawn in the easier Group A together with Myanmar, Singapore, Laos and Brunei.

With the draw, the Under-22 (U-22) football squad has an easy route to the top two spots and make the semi-final of the SEA Games competition.

Defending champions Thailand are in Group B, seen as the group of death, after being drawn with Vietnam, Indonesia, Cambodia, Timor Leste and the Philippines.

SEA Games squad project head coach Datuk Ong Kim Swee said the players should remain cautious of the competition although Malaysia was drawn in the easier Group A.

"Malaysia must be wary of the threat posed by Myanmar and Singapore and must not underestimate the threat of Laos and Brunei.

"We have to make sure that all the players and the team are in good shape," he told reporters after the footballl draw for 2017 Kuala Lumpur SEA Games, here today.

Meanwhile, Kim Swee said the friendly match between Malaysia and Myanmar would still take place although the two teams were drawn in the same group.

"We have agreed that the friendly match will still proceed as scheduled although Malaysia and Myanmar are in the same group," he added. - BERNAMA