KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 23 — Defender Harith Haiqal Adam Afkar emerged as the hero for the national Under-23 (U-23) squad after scoring the solitary goal to secure a 1 – 0 victory against China’s U-23 team in their first friendly match at the Jinshan Stadium in Shanghai, China, today.
In the match played without spectators, Harith, who also plays for Selangor FC, etched his name as the goal-scorer during injury time (90’+5’).
Harimau Muda will once again face the home team in the second friendly match on Tuesday (December 26).
These two friendly matches serve as preparation for the team’s head coach, Juan Torres Garrido, as Harimau Muda gear up for the Asian U-23 Cup in Doha, Qatar, starting in April next year.
Harimau Muda are drawn in Group D of the Asian Cup and will kick off the competition against Uzbekistan on April 17, followed by Vietnam (April 20), before concluding the group stage against Kuwait (April 23).
— Bernama
