KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian team plan to play six friendly matches as a tune-up for the Under-23 Asian Cup from April 15 to May 3 in Doha, Qatar.
FAM president Datuk Hamidin Amin said the team will play three friendlies during the March 18-26 international break at home, likely against India and two other teams.
The team, helmed by Spaniard Juan Torres Garrido, will head to Qatar in early April to play warm-up matches against the hosts and most probably Japan among others.
Hamidin admitted that Malaysia's chances of qualifying for the Olympics from the Under- 23 Asian Cup in Doha look tough as only the top three teams qualify for the Paris Olympics while the fourth-placed team had to play off against the fourth-placed team of the Under-23 Africa Cup of Nations.
Malaysia have been drawn in Group D against Uzbekistan, Vietnam and Kuwait in Doha. Only the top two from the group will advance to the quarter-finals.