Football
Reuters 17y

Soccer-Malaysia coach looking forward to China test in opener

By Nazvi Careem

KUALA LUMPUR, July 9 - Malaysia coach Norizan
Bakar expects his team to be given the sternest of tests when
they open their Asian Cup campaign with a Group C encounter
against China on Tuesday.

Malaysia gained automatic entry into the Asian Cup as one
of the four co-hosts, but are considered underdogs of a strong
group that also includes Iran and Uzbekistan.

"The question for us is now is whether we are going to be
outplayed by the good teams or are we going to match them,"
Norizan told reporters on Monday.

"The players want to play against the good teams in Asia
and this is the great chance to prove themselves."

Norizan is also banking on a big turnout of Malaysian
supporters at the Bukit Jalil Stadium to help encourage his
players.

Malaysia were soundly beaten by Jamaica and the United Arab
Emirates during their finals preparations for the Asian Cup,
with their only warm-up victory a 6-1 triumph over lowly
Cambodia.

Norizan is expected to spearhead his attack with striker
Hairuddin Omar, who is relishing the opportunity of playing in
a major international tournament.

"I've played against Chelsea and Brazil in friendly matches
but this tournament is the biggest one for me," he said.

Thailand, Vietnam and Indonesia are the other hosts of the
16-nation tournament that culminates with the final in Jakarta
on July 29.

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