Malaysia has been invited to play in the Under-20 Copa B.H. de Futebol tournament in Brazil this coming July. The Football Association of Malaysia is expected to use this tournament as part of the National Under-20 squad’s preparations for the Asian Football Confederation’s Youth Championships Finals in Kolkata, India, in October. FAM general secretary Datuk Seri Dr Ibrahim Saad said the Copa tournament will be held in Minas Gerais from 12-20 July.
"This is indeed an honour for Malaysia because the invitation is limited to just four international teams," said Dr Ibrahim. "The tournament in Brazil will serve as a useful experience for the Under-20 side. The exposure they will get in playing against these top clubs will do them good," he said.
Dr Ibrahim said the Malaysian squad will be guaranteed a minimum of five matches based on the competition format of six teams per group. The group winners, runners-up and the four best third-placed teams will then advance to the knock-out stage of the tournament. Among the top Brazilian clubs expected to compete in the tournament are Corinthians, Sao Paulo, Flamengo, Fluminense, Santos, Gremio, Palmeiras, Cruzeiro, Botafogo and Vasco da Gama.
"This is indeed an honour for Malaysia because the invitation is limited to just four international teams," said Dr Ibrahim. "The tournament in Brazil will serve as a useful experience for the Under-20 side. The exposure they will get in playing against these top clubs will do them good," he said.
Dr Ibrahim said the Malaysian squad will be guaranteed a minimum of five matches based on the competition format of six teams per group. The group winners, runners-up and the four best third-placed teams will then advance to the knock-out stage of the tournament. Among the top Brazilian clubs expected to compete in the tournament are Corinthians, Sao Paulo, Flamengo, Fluminense, Santos, Gremio, Palmeiras, Cruzeiro, Botafogo and Vasco da Gama.