MALAYSIA may not have a good record against Thailand, but Brad Maloney's boys are in the mood to change the status quo.
If Malaysia beat Thailand in their AFC Under-23 qualifier at the MFF Football Centre in Ulaanbaatar today, the reward is a ticket to the Under-23 Asian Cup in Uzbekistan next year.
However, the Thais are deemed to be stronger than Malaysia. In the Asian Under-23 rankings, Malaysia at No 17, are below Thailand who sit at 13.
Maloney said: "Thailand are a good team. Prior to the tournament, they would have been the favourites to qualify."
But for the moment, Malaysia are top of Group J (after beating Laos and Mongolia with 1-0 scores) while Thailand are two points behind (after a 1-1 draw with Mongolia.
Maloney said there will be no changes in team approach though Thailand are tough.
"We respect them greatly but we will stick to our guns, play our game and expect a competitive match.
"Thailand have quality players, and they are taking this competition seriously.
"They called up some players from abroad but I'm not singling anyone as we respect them as a team."
For the AFC qualifiers, Thailand have called up Thanawat from Leicester City and Benjamin Davis from Oxford United.
Jonathan Khemdee from Danish club Odense Boldklub and Owen Charlie Reinat from Belgian amateur club were also listed.
While Malaysia's top scorer in Ulaanbaatar is Azfar Fikri Azhar with two goals, Thailand's leading scorer is Jakkit Palapon, also with two goals.