Yemen eye end to 12-year winless run against depleted Malaysia

KUALA LUMPUR: Yemen believe Malaysia's depleted line-up, missing several established Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT) players, offers their best chance to end a 12-year winless run when the sides meet in China on Nov 17.

Sports portal Kooora reported that Yemen's technical staff plan to use the match to test different styles.

"The technical staff seeks to implement multiple tactical approaches against Malaysia, to test synergy and experimental formations before official competitive assignments, using this tournament to blend domestic league players with foreign-based professionals," the report said.

The match, at Zhaoqing New District Sports Centre Stadium in Guangdong, will be the first meeting between the sides since March 2014, when Malaysia beat Yemen 2-1 in an Asian Cup qualifier.

Malaysia have won three of their five previous meetings, drawing one and losing once.

A planned rematch in Terengganu in 2023 was called off at the last minute because of flight logistical problems in Sana'a.

Yemen have stepped up preparations under Algerian coach Noureddine Ould Ali, who began a training camp in Cairo over the weekend before the squad travels to Guangdong.

Yemeni newspapers Al-Ayyam and Ain Aden reported that Ould Ali had assembled a core group of domestic players, including talents from Sha'ab Hadramout, with overseas-based professionals joining the squad in Egypt and China.

Ranked 144th in the world, Yemen are 11 places behind Malaysia, who enter the four-nation tournament at No. 133.

A win would offer Yemen a chance to improve their standing ahead of future international assignments.

Yemeni outlets, including Qatari broadcaster Al Kass, highlighted the absence of established JDT players Matthew Davies, La'Vere Corbin-Ong and goalkeeper Syihan Hazmi from interim national coach Tan Cheng Hoe's squad.

Overseas-based Dion Cools is among those expected to feature.

Yemen will take confidence from their recent form, having topped their Asian Cup qualifying group with a 2-0 win over Lebanon and a 5-2 victory against Bahrain.

Veteran forward and captain Abdulwasea Al-Matari is expected to lead an aggressive, high-pressing approach, according to Yemeni commentators.