KUALA LUMPUR: It's said that many top footballing nations are reluctant to play lower-ranked sides like Malaysia.

Maybe, it doesn't benefit them at all, maybe it doesn't serve any purpose. Maybe they don't want to waste their time on us.

But Cape Verde don't mind doing so. Terima kasih.

The West African team, ranked 72nd in the world, much higher than any Southeast Asian teams, are in town to play two international friendlies against world No. 131 Malaysia this week.

Cape Verde coach Pedro "Bubista" Brito said that his team's objective is to collect meaningful match experience rather than chase world ranking-related results.

"It doesn't matter the rankings of the other teams. The more matches you play, the more experience you have. This is what brings us closer to our target, to qualify for the World Cup."