KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 29 (Bernama) -- The national Under-15 (U-15) squad missed out on a place in the Tier B final (53rd-54th place playoff) after losing 4-5 on penalties to Qatar at the FIFA U-15 World Cup and Festival 2026 in Baku, Azerbaijan, today.
According to a post on the national team's official Facebook page, Malaysia NT, the Tier B semi-final (53rd–56th classification) was decided on penalties after both teams played out a goalless draw at the Hovsan Competition Complex.
Earlier, Malaysia lost 1-3 to China in the Tier B quarter-finals (49th–56th classification).
The defeat to Qatar means the Harimau Malaya U-15 squad will face Lebanon tomorrow in the 55th-56th place playoff.
Malaysia was the sole Southeast Asian representative to qualify for Tier B after finishing runners-up in Group H with 10 points from three wins, one draw, and one defeat.
The inaugural tournament features 191 national teams and uses an eight-a-side format, with each match lasting 40 minutes.
-- BERNAMA