From Ahmad Nazrin Syahmi Mohamad Arif
JAKARTA, Oct 6 (Bernama) -- National team interim head coach Tan Cheng Hoe has expressed his readiness to continue serving Harimau Malaya following an impressive campaign at the FIFA 2026 ASEAN Cup, which concluded here yesterday.
Cheng Hoe said he remains fully committed to dedicating his efforts to the national squad should the trust in him continue.
However, the 58-year-old coach leaves the decision regarding his position entirely to the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM).
"As for my position, I leave it to FAM to decide. As long as I am able, I will pour all my energy into this national team," he said during the press conference following the FIFA 2026 ASEAN Cup third-place play-off match between Malaysia and Vietnam here.
In the match held at the Gelora Bung Karno (GBK) Stadium, Malaysia secured a 1-0 victory thanks to a goal by substitute striker Fergus Tierney in the 62nd minute, thereby ending a 12-year winless streak against the opponent dating back to 2014.
The victory also saw Cheng Hoe’s charges conclude the campaign as the only team to remain unbeaten and concede no goals throughout the tournament.
For the record, Cheng Hoe was appointed as the national team's interim head coach in June, replacing Peter Cklamovski, whose contract was terminated that same month.
He managed the national squad from December 2017 to December 2021, having previously served as the national team's assistant coach from 2009 to 2013.
Among Cheng Hoe's notable achievements were helping Malaysia win the 2009 SEA Games gold medal and the 2010 AFF Suzuki Cup title while serving as assistant coach to Datuk K. Rajagobal, as well as finishing as runner-up in the 2018 AFF Suzuki Cup as head coach.
On the domestic front, the 58-year-old coach achieved great success by helping Kedah win the 2015 Premier League, the 2016 Malaysia Cup, and the 2017 Charity Shield.
Cheng Hoe also managed Selangor from 2022 to 2024 before moving to Thailand to take charge of Police Tero FC.
In April 2025, he returned to the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) after being appointed as the national team technical director.
-- BERNAMA
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