Malaysia national under-16 football team

Malaysia U-16
Nickname(s)Harimau Muda
(Young Tigers)
AssociationFootball Association of Malaysia
ConfederationAFC (Asia)
Sub-confederationAFF (Southeast Asia)
Head coachJavier Jordi Ribera
Home stadiumBukit Jalil National Stadium
FIFA codeMAS
First colours
Second colours
First international
 Singapore 0–0 Malaysia
(Singapore; August 1980)
Biggest win
 Guam 0–15 Malaysia
(Yangon, Myanmar; 12 June 2000)
Biggest defeat
 Croatia 11–0 Malaysia
(Čakovec, Croatia; 7 November 2025)
AFC U-17 Asian Cup
Appearances6 (first in 2004)
Best resultQuarter-final (2014)
ASEAN U-16 Boys' Championship
Appearances8 (first in 2002)
Best resultChampions (2013, 2019)

The Malaysia national under-16 football team (also known as Malaysia under-16 or Malaysia U-16) represents Malaysia in international football competitions in ASEAN U-16 Boys' Championship, AFC U-17 Asian Cup and FIFA U-17 World Cup, as well as any other under-17 international football tournaments. The players in the current team mainly consist of players with age within 15 to 16 years old where the oldest players will be below the age requirement of 17 years old when the next U-17 tournament started.

History

The team is considered to be the feeder team for the Malaysia national under-19 football team. It is for players aged 16 and less. Also in existence are national teams for Under-22s (Under-21s and Under-20s), Under-19s and Under-15s. As long as they are eligible, players can play at any level, hence it is possible for one to play for the U-16s, senior side and then again for the U-16s.

AFF U-16 Youth Championship

The team's best performance in the AFF U-16 Youth Championship was winning the 2013 edition in Myanmar.

Players were called up for the 2016 AFF U-16 Youth Championship in July 2016. The team did not manage to pass the group stage.[1][2][3]

AFC U-16 Championship qualifying

Malaysia achieved their best ever quarter-final appearance in 2014 edition before being eliminated by Australia after a narrow 1–2 defeat. The team continued to show their improvement at youth level by advancing to the 2016 competition with three wins from four during their qualifying campaign under the guidance of coach P. Somasundram. The team targeting for reaching the semi-finals and qualify for the World Cup.[4]

The team participated in the 2016 edition in Group C alongside South Korea, Oman, and Iraq.[5][6] They were eventually knocked out of the campaign after failing to get past the group stage, being defeated 0–3 by both Oman and South Korea, before managing a 1–1 draw with Iraq, thus ending their chances to qualify for the 2017 FIFA U-17 World Cup.

FIFA U-17 World Cup qualifying

The team qualifying will be determined after AFC U-16 Youth Championship 2018 result.

NFDP collaboration

After a recent slump in performance of national team, Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) and National Football Development Programme (NFDP) has collaborated to increase the quality of grassroots football development in Malaysia in order to produce better players for the national team.[7] The current target is to produce players which will represent Malaysia in Under 17 World Cup competition in near future.[7]

International records

ASEAN Confederation

Invited tournaments

Invited Tournament
Year Tournament Result GP W D* L GS GA
1980 Lion City Cup Round 1 5 1 2 2 3 12
1981 Lion City Cup 5 0 0 5 1 19
1982 Lion City Cup 4 1 0 3 5 7
2005 Lion City Cup Runners-up 5 3 1 1 11 3
2006 Lion City Cup 4 2 1 1 3 3
2012 Frenz International Cup Fourth Place 5 2 1 2 8 4
2014 FAM-FRENZ Asia Champions Trophy Champions 13 8 3 2 44 17
2015 International Youth Championships 4 2 1 1 3 1
2016 Dream Come True Tournament Runners-up 6 5 1 0 64 3
2016 AIFF Youth Cup Fourth Place 5 0 2 3 5 12
2016 Bari Cup Runners-up 5 4 0 1 20 5
2017 Tournament of Nations Tenth Place 5 1 0 4 3 7
2018 JENESYS Japan-ASEAN Tournament Fifth place 4 3 0 1 16 2
2019 Jockey Club Football Tournament Champions 3 3 0 0 11 1
2019 CFA U-16 Youth Football Tournament Champions 3 2 1 0 5 2
2022 UEFA U15 Development Tournament[8] Runners-up 3 1 2 0 5 3
2025 FIFA Youth Series Fifth place 3 1 0 2 1 3
2025 Emerging Socceroos Championships[9] Tenth place 6 1 4 1 10 7
Total Invited Tournament: 18 Tournaments Best: Champions 88 40 19 29 218 111

Results and fixtures

  Win   Draw   Lose

2024

23 June ASEAN U-16 Boys Championship GS Malaysia  5–0  Timor-Leste Surakarta, Indonesia
19:30 WIB
  • Izzuddin 35'
  • Fahmi 55'
  • Awal 66', 89'
  • Arayyan 78'
Report Stadium: Sriwedari Stadium
Referee: Lê Vũ Linh (Vietnam)
26 June ASEAN U-16 Boys Championship GS Australia  2–0  Malaysia Surakarta, Indonesia
15:00 WIB
  • Tatu 45+5'
  • Williams 90+5'
Report Stadium: Sriwedari Stadium
Referee: Clarence Leow Hong Wei (Singapore)
29 June ASEAN U-16 Boys Championship GS Thailand  3–1  Malaysia Surakarta, Indonesia
15:00 WIB
  • Jompon 74' (pen.)
  • Siwakorn 76'
  • Poramet 89' (pen.)
Report Izzudin 4' Stadium: Manahan Stadium
Referee: Du Jianxin (China)
15 October Friendly Malaysia  1–2  Tajikistan Johor, Malaysia
  • Odilzoda
  • Odilzoda
Stadium: Taman Ungku Tun Aminah Mini Stadium
18 October Friendly Malaysia  1–1  Tajikistan Johor, Malaysia
  • Jafoyev
Stadium: Pasir Gudang Corporation Stadium
23 October 2025 AFC U-17 Asian Cup qualification United Arab Emirates  2–0  Malaysia Vientiane, Laos
19:00 UTC+7
  • Khamis 7'
Al-Marar 45+1'
Report Stadium: New Laos National Stadium
Referee: Mahmoud Al-Sbaih (Kuwait)
27 October 2025 AFC U-17 Asian Cup qualification Malaysia  2–2  Laos Vientiane, Laos
19:00 UTC+7
  • Arayyan 11'
  • Naqif 66'
Report
  • Palindeth 21'
  • Phayak 33' (pen.)
Stadium: New Laos National Stadium
Referee: Ibrokhim Ismoilov (Uzbekistan)

2025

18 May FIFA Youth Series Malaysia  0–1  Paraguay Zurich, Switzerland
11:00 UTC+2 Report Rolon 53' Stadium: FIFA headquarters
Referee: Manuel Pfister (Switzerland)
19 May FIFA Youth Series Malaysia  0–2  Tunisia Zurich, Switzerland
11:00 UTC+2 Report
  • Trimech 65'
  • Mellouli 79'
Stadium: FIFA headquarters
Referee: Luca Talarico (Switzerland)
21 May FIFA Youth Series 5th place play-off Guatemala  0–1  Malaysia Zurich, Switzerland
16:30 UTC+2 Report Iman Irfan 90+1' Stadium: FIFA headquarters
Referee: Ersin Nesimi (Switzerland)
6 July 2025 Emerging Socceroos Championships Victoria White 2–0  Malaysia Melbourne, Australia
14:00 UTC+10
  • Fillies 7'
  • Lykopoulos 47'
Report Stadium: The Home of the Matildas Field 4
7 July 2025 Emerging Socceroos Championships Malaysia  1–1 Capital Football Melbourne, Australia
11:30 UTC+10 Amsyar 13' Report Villatobas 28' Stadium: The Home of the Matildas Field 1
8 July 2025 Emerging Socceroos Championships Malaysia  1–1 Queensland Maroon Melbourne, Australia
13:00 UTC+10 Fahim Akmal 32' Report Skinner 24' Stadium: The Home of the Matildas Field 2
9 July 2025 Emerging Socceroos Championships play-off quarter-finals Malaysia  5–0 Tasmania Melbourne, Australia
11:40 UTC+10
  • Zazuan Asyraff 5'
  • Zahirul Haq 10'
  • Yusuf Nasrullah 16'
  • Aniq Thaqif 18'
  • Haziq 19'
Report Stadium: The Home of the Matildas Field 4
10 July 2025 Emerging Socceroos Championships play-off semi-finals Malaysia  2–2
(3–2 p)
Northern NSW Melbourne, Australia
10:00 UTC+10
  • Syaifullah 8'
  • Zahirul Haq 12'
Report
  • Barton 53'
  • Zigic 58'
Stadium: The Home of the Matildas Field 4
Penalties
11 July 2025 Emerging Socceroos Championships 9th & 10th place play-offs Queensland White 1–1
(5–3 p)
 Malaysia Melbourne, Australia
08:20 UTC+10 Cargill 30' Report Yusuf Nasrullah 35' Stadium: The Home of the Matildas Field 3
Penalties
7 November Friendly Croatia  11–0  Malaysia Čakovec, Croatia
--:-- UTC+1 2'
16'
18'
43'
44'
45'
60'
76'
79'
83'
87'
Report
Report
Stadium: Stadion SRC Mladost
22 November 2026 AFC U-17 Asian Cup qualification Malaysia  13–0  Northern Mariana Islands Hanoi, Vietnam
19:00 UTC+7
  • Iman Danish 5, 16, 20'
  • Nabil Ikhwan 32'
  • Iman Irfan 34'
  • Arfan Haziq 40, 54, 90'
  • Arayyan Hakeem 45'
  • Alif Ashraf 50'
  • Nurikhwan Hazeem 60'
  • Navarro 66' (o.g.)
  • Fahim Akmal 82'
Report
Report (AFC)
Stadium: Vietnam YFTC Field No. 3
Referee: Seo Dong-hwan (South Korea)
24 November 2026 AFC U-17 Asian Cup qualification Malaysia  1–0  Hong Kong Hanoi, Vietnam
16:00 UTC+7 Iman Danish 65' Report Stadium: Vietnam YFTC Field No. 3
Referee: Mohammed Saleh Alghamdi (Saudi Arabia)
26 November 2026 AFC U-17 Asian Cup qualification Macau  0–5  Malaysia Hanoi, Vietnam
19:00 UTC+7 Report
  • Alif Ashraf 39, 40, 51'
  • Iman Danish 86, 90+3'
Stadium: Vietnam YFTC Field No. 3
Referee: Afsheen Naseer (Maldives)
28 November 2026 AFC U-17 Asian Cup qualification Malaysia  2–1  Singapore Hanoi, Vietnam
16:00 UTC+7
  • Iman Danish 5'
  • Arayyan Hakeem 44'
Report Aaryan 75' Stadium: Vietnam YFTC Field No. 3
Referee: Seo Dong-hwan (South Korea)
30 November 2026 AFC U-17 Asian Cup qualification Vietnam  4–0  Malaysia Hưng Yên, Vietnam
19:00 UTC+7
  • Nguyễn Mạnh Cường 4'
  • Nguyễn Ngọc Anh Hào 43'
  • Nguyễn Văn Dương 50'
  • Lê Sỹ Bách 77'
Report Stadium: PVF Stadium
Referee: Clifford Daypuyat (Philippines)

Players

Current squad

The following is the finalised list of players for the 2026 AFC U-17 Asian Cup qualification in Hanoi, Vietnam.[10]

No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Club
1GK Adrian Muslim Sufian (2009-05-13) 13 May 2009 Sekolah Sukan Malaysia Pahang
1GK Aiman Khaufly Hanafi (2009-11-28) 28 November 2009 SMK Taman Desa Skudai
1GK Muhammad Hakiim Rosli (2009-02-27) 27 February 2009 SMK Taman Desa Skudai

2DF Muhammad Syazani Yussairi Yusnazairi (2009-11-28) 28 November 2009 Sekolah Sukan Malaysia Pahang
2DF Tan Zheng Hang (2010-12-23) 23 December 2010 SMK Taman Desa Skudai
2DF Nourrul Ezzery Mohamad Nor Lizam (2009-01-26) 26 January 2009 Sekolah Sukan Malaysia Pahang
2DF Adam Muqri Muhaizam (2010-10-26) 26 October 2010 SMK Gambang
2DF Tengku Ahmad Darwis Tengku Daud (2009-06-21) 21 June 2009 Mokhtar Dahari Academy
2DF Muhammad Amirul Haziq Mazlam (2009-08-26) 26 August 2009 Sekolah Sukan Malaysia Pahang
2DF Muhammad Adam Haikal Muhammad Afifi (2010-11-28) 28 November 2010 SMK Gambang
2DF Aqhyl Faiesal Ahmad Famy (2009-11-28) 28 November 2009 SMK Taman Desa Skudai

3MF Muhammad Nurikhwan Hazeem Mohd Fadhil (2009-01-29) 29 January 2009 Sekolah Sukan Malaysia Pahang
3MF Muhammad Iman Irfan Muhammad Hapis (2009-06-09) 9 June 2009 Sekolah Sukan Malaysia Pahang
3MF Muhammad Nabil Ikhwan Mohd Zaidi (2009-01-26) 26 January 2009 Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Dato Harun
3MF Taufiquul Hakim Mohd Azlan (2009-02-15) 15 February 2009 Sekolah Sukan Malaysia Pahang
3MF Muhammad Syakir Zamri (2009-04-27) 27 April 2009 SMK Taman Desa Skudai
3MF Carrick Sipri (2009-10-04) 4 October 2009 SMK Taman Desa Skudai

4FW Mohamad Iman Danish Mohd Shukor (2009-03-26) 26 March 2009 Sekolah Sukan Malaysia Pahang
4FW Arayyan Hakeem Norizam (2009-09-13) 13 September 2009 SMK Taman Desa Skudai
4FW Muhammad Alif Ashraf Mohd Abd Rahman (2009-11-28) 28 November 2009 Sekolah Sukan Malaysia Pahang
4FW Arfan Haziq Ahmad Marzuki (2009-01-21) 21 January 2009 Sekolah Sukan Malaysia Pahang
4FW Ahmad Yusuf Nasrullah Ahmad Ramli (2009-12-31) 31 December 2009 SMK Gambang
4FW Mohamad Fahim Akmal Zulkarnain (2010-01-13) 13 January 2010 SMK Taman Desa Skudai

Recent call-ups

The following players were previously called up to the squad.

Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club Latest call-up
GK Muhammad Zarif Altaf Mohd Zahidi (2009-01-29) 29 January 2009 Sekolah Sukan Malaysia Pahang November 2025 training camp
GK Adam Nurfakrullah Mohd Fadli (2010-01-29) 29 January 2010 - - SMK Gambang October 2025 training camp
GK Muhammad Syafiq Hidayat Ismail Abdullah (2009-06-27) 27 June 2009 Sekolah Sukan Malaysia Pahang October 2025 training camp
GK Muhammad Que Hairiel Wahfie Saiful Ramdhan (2010-11-28) 28 November 2010 SMK Putrajaya Presint 14 (1) 2025 Emerging Socceroos Championships
GK Ahmad Airil Ridzman Ahmad Ridzalman (2010-11-28) 28 November 2010 SMK Taman Desa Skudai 2025 Emerging Socceroos Championships
GK Muhammad Faierul Aieman Mohd Fauzi (2010-05-31) 31 May 2010 Johor Darul Ta'zim F.C. IV
GK Hugo John Ng Yien-Li (2009-01-03) 3 January 2009 Football South Australia

DF Muhammad Naufal Nor Aiman (2009-02-11) 11 February 2009 Sekolah Sukan Malaysia Pahang November 2025 training camp
DF Muhammad Alief Farhan Mohd Faizal (2010-07-11) 11 July 2010 SMK Taman Desa Skudai November 2025 training camp
DF Zazuan Asyraff Jefferi (2009-01-26) 26 January 2009 - - SMK Gambang October 2025 training camp
DF Muhammad Hafiz Aiman Sulaiman (2009-03-25) 25 March 2009 SMK Taman Desa Skudai October 2025 training camp
DF Muhammad Fareez Danial Fadzly (2009-11-28) 28 November 2009 SMK Taman Desa Skudai 2025 Emerging Socceroos Championships
DF Dawud Imran Rozlin (2009-04-28) 28 April 2009 SMK Gambang 2025 Emerging Socceroos Championships
DF Muhammad Faiz Naufal Zuhairi (2009-01-29) 29 January 2009 Mokhtar Dahari Academy 2025 FIFA Youth Series
DF Aiden Ang (2009-06-05) 5 June 2009 San Jose Earthquakes
DF Reyess Shaqeel Emir (2009-01-16) 16 January 2009 Eton College

MF Muhamad Syafi Amir Ab Aziz (2009-05-17) 17 May 2009 Sekolah Sukan Malaysia Pahang November 2025 training camp
MF Muhammad Naqib Mohd Nazrol (2009-10-28) 28 October 2009 Sekolah Sukan Malaysia Pahang November 2025 training camp
MF Muhammad Rayyan Anaqy Husharudin (2009-10-15) 15 October 2009 Sekolah Sukan Malaysia Pahang October 2025 training camp
MF Muhammad Aniq Thaqif Hairulnizam (2009-10-03) 3 October 2009 Sekolah Sukan Tunku Mahkota Ismail 2025 Emerging Socceroos Championships
MF Muhammad Zahirul Haq Mohd Rizal (2009-10-03) 3 October 2009 SMK Taman Desa Skudai 2025 Emerging Socceroos Championships
MF Muhammad Haziq Zamin (2009-11-28) 28 November 2009 SMK Gambang 2025 Emerging Socceroos Championships
MF Amsyar Mohd Zulfadli (2010-11-28) 28 November 2010 SMK Gambang 2025 Emerging Socceroos Championships
MF Mohd Aiman Haqimi Mohd Sanusi (2010-02-07) 7 February 2010 SMK Gambang 2025 Emerging Socceroos Championships
MF Muhammad Ariq Darius Mohd Fharied (2010-01-31) 31 January 2010 Al-Rayyan
MF Raushan Muazz Zaidi (2009-02-23) 23 February 2009 Raisuri Warriors
MF Aiman Mohd Fadly (2009-11-28) 28 November 2009 Manningham United Blues
MF Zubayr Mohd Rafiz Azwar (2010-01-06) 6 January 2010 Subiaco AFC
MF Hezekiah Yu (2009-01-08) 8 January 2009 FC Bulleen Lions

FW Muhammad Aufa Bazli Mohd Razif (2009-08-30) 30 August 2009 Sekolah Sukan Malaysia Pahang November 2025 training camp
FW Muhammad Faris Asyraf Fandi (2009-02-10) 10 February 2009 SMK Taman Desa Skudai November 2025 training camp
FW Muhammad Syaifullah Mahruzi (2009-11-28) 28 November 2009 - - SMK Gambang November 2025 training camp
FW Naim Musaddiq Mohd Sabri (2009-01-08) 8 January 2009 - - SMK Ibrahim Fikri November 2025 training camp
FW Alif Hamzi Helmi Hafiz (2009-10-18) 18 October 2009 PB Melaka October 2025 training camp
FW Keith Chan Hong Tao (2009-06-22) 22 June 2009 Club de Fútbol San José October 2025 training camp
FW Muhammad Adam Zafri Mohmad Mahadir (2010-06-29) 29 June 2010 Sekolah Sukan Bukit Jalil 2025 Emerging Socceroos Championships
FW Putera Luqman Hafiz (2010-05-27) 27 May 2010 Malvern City
FW Liam Mikail Thulin (2009-03-05) 5 March 2009 AIK Fotboll
FW Kim Johan Nyo Tegnander (2009-02-03) 3 February 2009 FK Jerv

Coaching staff

Malaysia national football team Coaching staff
Roles Names
Head coach Javier Jordi Ribera
Assistant head coach Amirizdwan Taj
Assistant head coach Efendi Malek
Assistant coach V. Kavi Chelvan
Goalkeeping coach Nasril Nourdin
Fitness coach Khairal Afiq
Malaysia national football team management and supporting staff
Roles Names
Team Manager A. Christopher Raj
Kitman Suhardi Abang Usop
Team Admin Muhammad Aiqal Rasman
Performance analyst Mohd Aimerul Mat Nuar
Physiotherapist Chin Chee Yong
Masseur Zahari Mazlan
Team Doctor Ridzuan Azmi
Media Officer Vincent Wong Yew Sing

Coaching history

Honours

Regional

Others

See also

Notes

References

  1. ^ "Skuad Somasundram Sasar Separuh Akhir Kejuaraan B-16 AFF 2016" (in Malay). Football Association of Malaysia. 9 July 2016. Retrieved 4 April 2018.
  2. ^ Zulhilmi Zainal (15 July 2016). "Ten-man Malaysia U16 set up must-win group match against Myanmar after beating Singapore". Goal.com. Archived from the original on 4 April 2018. Retrieved 4 April 2018.
  3. ^ Zulhilmi Zainal (19 July 2016). "Australia U16 simply too strong for Malaysia U16". Goal.com. Archived from the original on 4 April 2018. Retrieved 4 April 2018.
  4. ^ "AFC U-16 Championship – Group C: MD1 Preview". Asian Football Confederation. 15 September 2016. Archived from the original on 16 September 2016. Retrieved 4 April 2018.
  5. ^ Khairul Nizam (31 May 2016). "Cabaran sukar pasukan bawah 16 tahun Malaysia". Fourth Official. Retrieved 4 April 2018.
  6. ^ "Malaysia layak ke pusingan akhir Kejohanan B16 AFC 2016" (in Malay). Football Association of Malaysia. Retrieved 4 April 2018.
  7. ^ a b "Perjalanan ke Piala Dunia b-17 bermula tahun depan". Bernama (in Malay). Sinar Harian. 18 December 2016. Retrieved 4 April 2018.
  8. ^ "U15: Macedonia won the UEFA development tournament". Macedonian football. Archived from the original on 9 October 2022. Retrieved 11 September 2022.
  9. ^ "2025 CommBank Emerging Championships". Football Australia. 20 June 2022. Retrieved 12 July 2025.
  10. ^ "SIARAN MEDIA: SENARAI AKHIR 23 PEMAIN HARIMAU MALAYA B-16 KE KELAYAKAN PIALA ASIA B-17 2026" (in Malay). Football Association of Malaysia. Retrieved 22 November 2025.
  11. ^ "AFF U16 FINAL: Malaysia Lift First-Ever Crown". ASEAN Football Federation. 2 September 2013. Retrieved 4 April 2018.
  12. ^ "Malaysia crowned ASEAN U16 champions". Asian Football Confederation. 4 September 2013. Archived from the original on 24 September 2016. Retrieved 4 April 2018.
  13. ^ Eric Samuel (1 October 2013). "Coach wants U16 squad to scale greater heights". The Star. Retrieved 4 April 2018.
  14. ^ Suryati Mohd Nor (2 December 2014). "B16 Tahun: Jurulatih Balachandran Akui Letak Jawatan, Masalah Peribadi" (in Malay). mStar. Retrieved 4 April 2018.
  15. ^ Nik Afiq (4 December 2014). "Balachandran has left the Malaysia under 16 team and decided to join Frenz United as their new head coach". Goal.com. Archived from the original on 4 April 2018. Retrieved 4 April 2018.
  16. ^ K. Rajan (21 September 2015). "Under-16 football coach aiming for better results in AFC Finals". The Star. Retrieved 4 April 2018.
  17. ^ Syafiq Aznan (27 September 2018). "FAM sack National Under-16 coach Teong Kim". New Straits Times. Retrieved 27 September 2018.

Head-to-head record

The following table shows Malaysia's head-to-head record in the AFC U-17 Asian Cup.