KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Junior World Cup team were "rewarded" with "Division Two" action which begins tomorrow at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil.
Young Tigers will play a fighting Egypt who narrowly lost to France 3-1, South Africa 3-2 and were hammered 10-0 by Germany in Group B.
Malaysia's JWC record with Egypt also indicates that tomorrow might turn into a nightmare, if the Malaysian team take them lightly.
"What the team put into matches, is the result that they earned in Group A.
"In the ninth-16th placing match, no team including, Egypt, is going to be easy as every coach plans to make amends and finish as high as possible," said Malaysia team manager I. Vikneswaran.
Young Tigers last played Egypt at the Lucknow JWC in 2016 and won 2-0.
Their other JWC encounters were close, with Malaysia being held 2-2 at the Johor-Singapore tournament and in Rotterdam 2005, it was a slim 2-1 win.
"Egypt has some skilful strikers who have their own style of play and over the years at the JWC, they have consistently given Malaysia a tough time.
"It's going to be the same on Monday, as they, too, will be aiming to finish as high as possible," said Vikneswaran.
For the hosts, nothing but pride is left to play for as they strive to make the best out of their "Division Two" matches.
Even though the tournament has not officially ended, Malaysia need to start scouting for better goalkeepers as Rafaizul Saini and Danish Afnan Faizal need to be challenged to see if they can still be relied upon in the JWC qualifier next year.
In the eyes of many is Kuala Lumpur goalkeeper Khairul Amirin Kamarul, 17, who played a sterling Razak Cup to showcase his agility, and another 15-year-old in the making to become a Terminator between the posts.
But that Terminator is for Malaysian Hockey Confederation scouts to find out from their states.