PETALING JAYA, 21 FEBRUARY, 2012: The National Under-23 squad will go all out to score a win against Japan although a win in the Asian Zone Group C Olympic qualifying match will not change Malaysia's fortune.

Coach Ong Kim Swee's boys will be hoping to score their first win in the competition when they face Japan, needing a big win, at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil, tomorrow.

"Although we failed to qualify for the 2012 London Olympics, a win or a draw against Japan will be a big result for us," he told reporters after a training session at Wisma FAM here today.

Ong said since the team was injury free and have had enough rest, there was no reason for the players to perform well tomorrow.

"There will be no pressure as compared with Japan, especially when playing against the home fans, so the players must give back something to please the fans who have given their undivided support," he said.

Ong said he had his own game plan and strategy for the match but stopped short of revealing his first 11.

Meanwhile, Japanese coach Takashi Sekizuka said his team had another two games to complete the Group C schedule, including the match against Malaysia tomorrow.

Japan face Bahrain after the match against Malaysia.

Dubbed as the Blue Samurai, the Japanese squad spent three days in Singapore to acclimatize themselves, especially in dealing with the high humidity here.

Japan are currently in second spot sharing nine points with leader, Syria who have a better goal scoring rate while winless Malaysia are in the last spot without any points.

In their first meeting at the Tosu Stadium last September, Malaysia lost 0-2 to Japan and were again beaten 2-0 by Syria at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil, last November before bowing out of contention after a 2-3 loss to Bahrain in the home match at the same stadium.

In the away match held at the National Stadium in Manama, Bahrain beat Malaysia 2-1.


- Bernama