PETALING JAYA, Nov 10 — Looks like the FA of Malaysia (FAM) is going to start 2018 on a high when all its young tigers — Under-16, Under-19 and Under-22 — qualified for the AFC Championships finals.

FAM general-secretary Datuk Hamidin Amin said the impressive results of the young Tigers at the qualifiers will make heads turn and Malaysian football is getting the respect it seeks.

He is hoping the senior squad who will take on North Korea in the Asia Cup qualifiers will also get a positive result.

"The Under-19 squad’s achievement yesterday (Wednesday) proved our football at grassroot levels is on the right track. This augurs well for the future,” said Hamidin.

"With all these achievements, Malaysian football will gain respect and trust. I can ensure the teams will be consistent and become better in the near future.

"Hopefully, the senior squad under coach Nelo Vingada, who will be playing against North Korea, can also produce positive outcome.”

Hamidin said Malaysia qualified for next year’s AFC Under-19 Championship for the first time in 11 years after finishing as one of the five best group runners-up.

Although Bojan Hodak’s chargers lost to host South Korea 3-0 in Paju on Wednesday, the team did just enough to finish as fifth-best group runner-up and take the final spot on offer at the 16-team finals.

The finals will be held in Indonesia next year.

This is the first time Malaysia has qualified for the Under-19 tournament since 2006, when it was coached by Datuk K. Rajagobal but failed to make the second round.

The other two young squads, Malaysia Under-22 under Datuk Ong Kim Swee and Under-16 under Lim Teong Kim had earlier qualified for the AFC Championships finals.

The senior squad is the only one left behind and will battle on against North Korea today and on Monday in their 2019 Asia Cup qualifiers in Buriram, Thailand.

The Malaysian seniors are bottom of Group B with one point after three matches — losing 2-0 and drawing 1-1 with Hong Kong and a 2-1 defeat to Lebanon.