ASEAN Cup: Malaysia Can't Use Absentees As Excuse, Just Enjoy The Game - Cheng Hoe

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 15 (Bernama) -- Harimau Malaya have been told not to use the absence of several players as an excuse when they face defending champions Vietnam in the ASEAN Cup 2026 first leg semi-final at the Kuala Lumpur Football Stadium in Cheras tomorrow.

Interim head coach Tan Cheng Hoe instead urged his charges to stay focused, enjoy the occasion and play with confidence against Kim Sang Sik’s side.

"It's not easy, but reaching the semi-final is a dream. We cannot find excuses about who is missing. Everyone in the squad must work together and fight.

“The players must enjoy the moment, stay confident, and show they deserve to be here," he told a pre-match press conference today.

Among the unavailable national players for the clash against Vietnam are Endrick Dos Santos, Jimmy Raymond, Aliff Haiqal Lokman Hakim Lau and Engku Shakir Engku Yacob, who are sidelined by injuries, while Wan Kuzain Wan Ahmad Kamal has returned to his United States-based club, Sporting Jax.

Even though Cheng Hoe acknowledged that Vietnam would provide a stern test, especially given their strong record and attacking options, he said Malaysia should concentrate on their own performance rather than overthink their opponents.

The 58-year-old coach said Cape Verde’s wonderful journey at the FIFA World Cup 2026 should serve as a source of inspiration, demonstrating that football can produce unexpected results when a team gets its approach right.

"The World Cup provides many examples like Cape Verde holding a favourite like Spain to a draw. In football, nothing is impossible with the right timing,” he said.

The former Kedah and Selangor FC coach also called on Malaysian supporters to turn up in full force and provide the team with the backing needed for the crucial encounter.

As of today, tickets for the match have reportedly not sold out, with fans previously complaining about the nearly 70 per cent increase in ticket prices compared to the earlier group-stage matches.

Based on an announcement by the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) recently, the open category ticket for adults has increased to RM50, compared to RM30 during the group stage.

According to FAM, grandstand tickets are priced at RM70, while VIP tickets cost RM100 and open category tickets for children remain unchanged at RM5.

Meanwhile, defender Ubaidullah Shamsul Fazili described the semi-final as an occasion that could be bigger than the final itself, saying they were determined to make the most of the opportunity to take a positive result to Hanoi for second leg match this Wednesday.

“As a player and as a team, we will try our best to upset Vietnam. Everyone knows Vietnam is the favourite in this tournament and we are the underdog, but we will do our best to win.

"We are dreaming of the final. Nothing is impossible in football. Tomorrow, we cannot lose at home. Winning is the first choice and a draw is the second. We want to take that motivation to Hanoi," he said.

-- BERNAMA