KUALA LUMPUR - The Harimau Malaya Under-15 (U-15) squad proved to be in a league of their own, defeating Jamaica 4-2 to secure a spot in the quarter-finals of the Tier B Festival which is part of the road to the 2026 FIFA U-15 World Cup early this morning.
In the match held at Pitch 8A of the Hovsan Complex in Baku, Azerbaijan, the young Malaysian side got off to a brilliant start when Armin Haikal Hazim scored as early as the second minute, followed by Iman Lutfi Zairol Hisham, who doubled the lead three minutes later.
In the eighth minute, Iman struck again to put Malaysia in a comfortable position, before Rayyan Haziq Ahfizal Ahmad added a fourth goal in the 24th minute.
Jamaica managed to narrow the deficit with a goal in the 11th minute, followed by another goal in the 39th minute.
A tougher challenge awaits Malaysia, as they are set to face China in the Tier B quarter-finals today, with a place in the semi-finals of the prestigious tournament on the line. - BERNAMA