YOUNG Tigers D will be playing for more than personal pride and glory when they face PVF Vietnam in the return leg of the Asia Champions Trophy Under-16 final at the Frenz Stadium in Janda Baik tomorrow.
Coach S. Balachandran said his team are fired up for the occasion and hope to do the nation proud after a difficult period in the country’s history.
Young Tigers D take a slim advantage going into the match, having beaten Vietnam 2-1 in the opening leg in Ho Chi Minh on Monday.
“The boys have been giving it their all for the country throughout this tournament but I believe it will have more meaning for us on Sunday,” said Balachandran.
“It has been a tough time after what happened with MH17 and the missing plane (MH370).
“The final will also be on Merdeka day and there is nothing more the boys want than to win this. They will definitely give it everything they have.”
Balachandran will be without two first choice players but is confident his charges have what it takes to finish the job.
Centre-back Hafiy Haikal Ismail came off injured in their 3-1 defeat to Uzbekistan Under-16 in a friendly on Thursday while midfielder Muhammad Syazwan Salihin received a second yellow during the first leg.
Abdul Ghaffar Rahman will step in for Hafiy Haikal while Syamirul Razmee Jasmi will slot into midfield.
The winners will receive US$50,000 (RM157,697) while the runners-up will take home US$25,000 (RM78,849) for their efforts. By Fadhli Ishak