The national’s under-23 squad emerged Group J champions of the qualifying rounds after collecting seven points from three matches against Laos (1-0), Mongolia (1-0), and Thailand (0-0) in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia recently.

As becoming top of the group, Brad Maloney's boys will automatically qualify for the U-23 Asian Cup in Uzbekistan which is scheduled to take place from June 1 to 19 next year.

Throughout the qualifying round, Brad Maloney has listed four young Selangor FC players in his starting lineup and they have played fully in all meetings.

The Red Giants midfielder, Mukhairi Ajmal was named as the captain of the national squad, was seen comfortable pulling the strings in the middle of the pitch, as another three 19 -year -old defenders of the squad, Zikri Khalili, Harith Haiqal, and Azrin Afiq managed to defend the national goalposts by grabbing 'clean sheets’ in all the three qualifying matches.

Harith Haiqal, the central defender of the national U23 squad praised his teammates who have carried out their duties well to achieve a 'clean sheet’.

"Alhamdulillah, the credits should be given credit to all the players who played because they have done their job well and have facilitated our task in the defense department, making us looks good," praised Harith Haiqal to his teammates.

"Besides that, the chemistry between me, Zikri, and Azrin has helped us play well. After all, we have played together since the under-19 squad and understand the tactics of head coach (Brad Maloney) and during our time with Selangor FC we also mostly the match played together which led to that understanding, "he added about the good performance of the defense of the national under-23 squad.

Not forgetting the new face of the national under-23 squad, Saravanan Thirumurugan who managed to get his first national appearance with the team after being brought into action against Laos in the second half of the match.

Brad Maloney is very proud of his players for having achieved a great deal in this qualifying campaign.

"I am very confident with the line-up of players listed for the qualifying campaign this time. They have played very professionally throughout the tournament to qualify for the 2022 Asian Cup (B23) in Uzbekistan with an unbeaten run and not conceded any goal. There are no words I can express other than to be proud of them.”

Brad Maloney's squad will return to the country on November 2 and will undergo a seven-day quarantine upon arrival in Malaysia.

Selangor FC congratulates the national under-23 squad that managed to get an automatic slot to the Asian Cup in Uzbekistan next year by becoming the group J champions of the qualifying campaign yesterday. Have a good rest, Harimau Muda!

Demi kebanggaan.