KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia will have to tread with caution when they face Thailand in Sunday’s Group A match in the AFC Under-16 Championship at National Stadium in Bukit Jalil.
Thailand hope to bounce back from their opening 5-2 defeat to Japan, and they will be out to beat Malaysia to remain in contention for a quarter-final spot.
Thai coach Thongchai Rungreangleas has urged his charges to forget the disappointment of losing to Japan and focus on Malaysia.
"We still have two matches to play, so there is still a chance for us to collect points and advance to the next round," said Thongchai on Thursday.
"Qualifying for the (Under-17) World Cup, however, will not be easy. We will work on our weaknesses and come up with an effective strategy for Sunday’s match."
Thailand surprised Japan by scoring the opening goal in the first minute at the Universiti Malaya Arena only for Japan's Ryotaro Araki to level five minutes later.
Japan then went ahead through Kuraba Honda in the eighth minute before Supanat Mueanta equalised in seven minutes later.
But it was all Japan from then on as Araki scored his second in the 32nd followed by strikes from Riku Honda and Shoji Toyama in the 41st and 90th minutes to secure a comfortable victory.