Jakarta: National U-23 head coach Nafuzi Zain admitted that defensive frailties were the main reason behind the 0-2 defeat to the Philippines in their Group A opener of the AFF U-23 Championship 2025 at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium here tonight. Although disappointed with the result, Nafuzi praised his players’ fighting spirit, noting that most of them were still young and lacked experience at the international level.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Nafuzi highlighted that early lapses and nervousness in the defense allowed the Philippines to score, which put Malaysia on the back foot. Despite their efforts to secure a draw, the team struggled to recover once they were trailing.

Nafuzi pointed out that the majority of the players were aged between 19 and 21, emphasizing that the match served as a valuable opportunity for them to gain experience and maturity. He also mentioned that they were awaiting a detailed medical report on the injury status of key players Alif Izzuan and Muhammad Haqimi Azim Rosli.

The head coach expressed hope that Malaysian fans would be able to attend and support the team in future matches, especially if they face hosts Indonesia. He acknowledged the importance of fan support and apologized for not securing a win, promising to improve preparations for the upcoming matches against Brunei and Indonesia.