Bangkok: National Under-23 (U-23) football squad head coach Mohd Nafuzi Zain described Malaysia's journey at the SEA Games Thailand 2025 as a struggle filled with twists and sacrifices that deserves pride. Mohd Nafuzi said that from the early stages of preparation, the team faced various challenges, including players not being released by their clubs, a shortage of players, suspensions and injuries.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Mohd Nafuzi expressed that the story of this SEA Games could be turned into a book due to the numerous challenges faced by the team. He noted that the team never had enough players, with some joining, others leaving, and several facing suspensions and injuries. The journey felt like a battle, with players enduring injuries and making sacrifices for the country.
In the third-place playoff match against the Philippines, the Harimau Muda squad clinched a 2-1 victory, securing the bronze medal and ending Malaysia's eight-year medal drought in the men's football event at the SEA Games. Danish Hakimi Sahaludin scored the opening goal for Malaysia in the 28th minute. The Philippines equalised with an own goal by Muhammad Haqimi Azim Rosli in the 36th minute, but Rosli redeemed himself by scoring the winning goal in the 43rd minute.
The bronze medal achievement marked Harimau Muda's return to the podium for the first time since winning silver at the 2017 edition in Kuala Lumpur. This success made up for the team's previous disappointments, having exited without a medal in the past three editions.
Mohd Nafuzi highlighted the players' strong camaraderie and fighting spirit, which played a crucial role in overcoming the squad's limitations throughout the campaign. He praised the teamwork and familial bonds that aided the team despite the shortage of players.
In previous editions, Malaysia faced challenges, being eliminated at the group stage in the 2019 edition in the Philippines and the 2023 edition in Cambodia. At the 2021 edition in Vietnam, the team narrowly missed securing a medal after a 1-1 draw with Indonesia in the third-place playoff, followed by a 4-3 loss on penalties.