Full points and a clean slate will be the be “motivating factor” when Malaysia face Laos in their second Group A match in the AFF Suzuki Cup – this time at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil on Monday (Nov 12) after the win over Cambodia in Phnom Penh on Thursday.
There was more flak than accolades for the Harimau Malaya in their 1-0 win against Cambodia in their opening match at the Olympic Stadium in Phnom Penh last week. The match was played on synthetic turf with Norshahrul Idlan Talaha scoring the solitary goal in the 30th minute.
“A lot has been said about our win over Cambodia. A lot of criticism on our overall performance… a performance which I admit was not what we wanted,” said Cheng Hoe after a training session on Sunday.
“There are several factors for this. It was our first match in the tournament. The first match is always not an easy one. The artificial pitch conditions did not help us either against a team that is used to train and plays on such conditions.
“However, this is not an excuse for our sluggish performance. We need to improve and we need to be sharp in our finishing with the chances we create. I am optimistic we will improve on this in our match against Laos.”
In the same breath Cheng Hoe, however, is aware that Laos is not to be written off despite their 3-0 defeat at home to Vietnam in the first match.
“No opponent is comfortable in the group. We cannot write off any of the teams and under the new format of the tournament, it gives every team a chance. I hope that it will be a better show at Bukit Jalil.
“At the same time, we need to cut out the mistakes. There were some glaring mistakes against Cambodia. Here again, the pitch did us no favor but we have to be prepared for any eventuality,’ added Cheng Hoe.
The former international gave broad hints that he will retain the same starting lineup that took the field against Cambodia.
Many questioned why Norshahrul and skipper Zaquan Adha Abdul Radzak were substituted mid-way in the second half against Cambodia, Cheng Hoe said: “This was to suit our tactical changes.”
“We need to be focused in every match and get the goals plus the three points.” – BY RIZAL ABDULLAH
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