Young Tigers are stronger after defeat in Shanghai
The national U20 side play bottom of the pile Young Lions before the S-League takes it’s mid season break.
Razip Ismail’s side recently returned from a pre-season tour of China where they lost 4-1 and 6-2 to The Dragons U22’s.
They followed up the defeats with an impressive 1-1 draw against Champions Sarawak.
The recent experience the youngster have gained could be key in picking up three points against the Lions.
Speaking to The New Strait Times, Ismail said: “We came up against a very strong China team but the two matches were good matches in terms of quality.
It was our first matches at international level and we made a few mistakes which led to the goals. It was also clear that we need to improve our fitness level. China were very fit and moved the ball very well but to be able to score against them was a positive sign.”
it won’t be a straightforward game for the Young Tigers by any means, with the team having to contend with 6 injured players.
Coach Ismail is wary about facing today’s opponents without a full strength squad: “This is a game we need to win but it will be difficult without so many players. We will try to do something.”
For the last four months the U23 squad have been in Europe winning four games, losing 12 and competing in the World University Games, their most recent match was a 5-1 deafeat to Slokakian side Vion Zlate Moravce.