HARIMAU MALAYA STALK AFF CUP
Zaquan’s men won’t show their claws, for now
NATIONAL skipper Zaquan Adha Abd Radzak would prefer that the Harimau Malaya “do not show their stripes” now as the national football team prepare for the AFF Cup in November.
While confident that Tan Cheng Hoe’s men can spring a surprise in the regional tournament, Zaquan feels that it is better they keep a low profile now.
He said the team should learn from the setback of bowing out early in the AFF Cup in Yangon two years ago.
And incidentally for Malaysia, they are drawn in almost the same group as two years ago: Vietnam, Myanmar, Cambodia, except for Laos.
“I am not affected by people saying we are not the favourites (for the AFF Cup) this time.
“Let us keep a low profile, but we should prove that we are a good team.
“In our group, Vietnam and Myanmar are our strongest opponents but Cambodia and Laos won’t be easy for us.
“Two years ago, Malaysia failed to reach the semi-finals. I hope all the players have learned from that, and will be more determined this time,” said Zaquan who plays for Kuala Lumpur.
Zaquan said the Harimau Malaya team are in great spirits and ready to hunt for a place in the AFF Cup final.
Malaysia, AFF Cup winners in 2010, will open their campaign in Group A against Cambodia in Phnom Penh on Nov 8 before meeting Laos in Bukit Jalil on Nov 12. Harimau Malaya’s other matches are against Vietnam in Hanoi (Nov 16) and Myanmar in Bukit Jalil (Nov 24).
Defending champions Thailand are in Group B with Indonesia, the Philippines, Singapore and the winners of the qualifier between Brunei and Timor Leste.