The Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) II player, who captained the victorious Malaysian U-19 squad, said this honour will inspire him to build a name for himself.

“I will continue to establish my name as a player for my team JDTII and the national squad. This is a turning point in my career as a footballer,” he told a news conference after Malaysia beat Laos 2-0 in the U-19 AFF championship final last night.

The win at Stadium Patriot Candrabhaga in Bekasi, Indonesia, also meant that chief coach Hassan Sazali Waras’s squad avenged their 0-1 loss to Laos in the final Group B match last Monday.

Defender Faiz Amer Runnizar and midfielder Aliff Izwan Yuslan scored in the 14th and 76th minutes respectively to give the title to Malaysia, who have won it only once previously in 2018.

Ahmad Aysar thanked JDT owner crown prince Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim and all local clubs for releasing their players to play in the tournament.

“It’s hard to describe my feeling. We did well and played according to plan. I’m savouring this victory,” he said.

The national U-19 squad will next play in the U-20 Asian Cup 2023 qualifiers in Mongolia in September.

In the qualifying round, Malaysia have been drawn in Group E with 12-time champions South Korea, Sri Lanka and Mongolia.

The 10 group champions and five best runners-up will qualify for the final round to be held in March next year.