MYANMAR coach Gerd Zeise rates Malaysia as their strongest rivals in Group A of the Kuala Lumpur Sea Games football competition.
The other teams in the group are Singapore, Brunei and Laos.
Zeise, a German, is confident his team, known as the White Angels, will progress together with Malaysia to the semi-finals,
"We cannot underestimate our rivals. Malaysia are a strong team. Singapore are OK, we have played them before (and won), Laos are improving while Brunei are also OK, not too strong," said Zeise when met at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport yesterday.
Myanmar are one of the favourites in Group A, having finished runners-up in the Sea Games in Singapore two years ago where they went down 3-0 to Thailand in the final.
Zeise, who also coaches Myanmar's senior side, said: “Despite some injuries, I have brought my best side here.
"I believe the Myanmar versus Malaysia match will be interesting and I hope we make it past the group stage and to the final."
Myanmar will open their campaign against Singapore at the Selayang Stadium on Monday.
Translated from Harian Metro