FIFA ASEAN Cup: Time For Harimau Malaya To End Long Winless Run Against Vietnam - Coach

From Ahmad Nazrin Syahmi Mohamad Arif

JAKARTA, Oct 4 (Bernama) -- Harimau Malaya interim head coach Tan Cheng Hoe wants Malaysia to end their winless run against Vietnam when the two sides meet in the FIFA ASEAN Cup third-placing playoff match at the Gelora Bung Karno (GBK) Stadium here tomorrow.

Cheng Hoe is determined to see Harimau Malaya produce a positive result this time, having failed to beat Vietnam for more than a decade.

Malaysia last defeated Vietnam in 2014 when Dollah Salleh’s men recorded a 4-2 win in the return leg of the AFF Cup semi-final to march into the final with a 5-4 aggregate victory.

“Yes, I have a strong desire to beat Vietnam because we have not defeated them in the last 10 years.

“We know their strength is not only in attack, as they have also added naturalised players to their defence. So, the most important thing is for us to remain focused and be prepared to face Vietnam,” he told reporters here today.

Since 2014, Malaysia have failed to get the better of Vietnam in 12 meetings, suffering 11 defeats and recording one draw, including during Cheng Hoe’s previous tenure as national head coach.

In their most recent meeting, Vietnam defeated Malaysia 2-0 in the second leg of the ASEAN Championship sem-final in August, resulting in the Harimau Malaya being eliminated 4-0 on aggregate.

As such, tomorrow’s clash will not only provide Malaysia with an opportunity to end their long winless run against Vietnam, but also a chance to end the ASEAN Cup campaign with a meaningful victory.

Malaysia advanced to the third-placing playoff after finishing second in Group A with seven points, while Indonesia topped the group with a better goal difference, also on seven points.

Meanwhile, Thailand and hosts Indonesia will meet in the title showdown at the same venue tomorrow night.

-- BERNAMA