Malaysia opts for U-16 players in the ASEAN U-17 Championship for early 2027 Asian Cup qualifier prep, with Kim Swee confident in the young squad’s challenge.

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia will field a squad of 16-year-old players at the upcoming 2026 ASEAN Under-17 Boys’ Championship in Indonesia.

The decision to send the younger Harimau Malaya Under-16 squad is aimed at providing early preparation for the 2027 U-17 Asian Cup Qualifiers in November.

National Football Development Programme technical director Datuk Ong Kim Swee said the move was decided after discussions with the Football Association of Malaysia management.

“The 2026 ASEAN U-17 Championship is actually used as a preparation or warm-up for teams under the ASEAN Football Federation who will compete in the 2026 Asian U-17 Cup in Saudi Arabia in May,” he said.

He noted that five qualified teams are sending their U-17 squads to the tournament because they qualified for Saudi Arabia.

Malaysia failed to qualify for the 2026 Asian U-17 Cup during the qualifying round last November.

Kim Swee expressed confidence that the country’s younger players will still be able to provide a great challenge in Indonesia.

The 2026 ASEAN U-17 Championship will be held in East Java, Indonesia from April 11 to 24.

Malaysia is drawn in Group A with hosts Indonesia, Vietnam and Timor-Leste.

Group B features Thailand, Laos, Myanmar and the Philippines, while Group C comprises Australia, Cambodia, Singapore and Brunei.

For the record, the national team failed to advance past the group stage at the 2024 edition in Surakarta, Indonesia.

 The Sun Malaysia