Harimau Malaya in high spirits as stalwarts return
SEPANG: The Harimau Malaya are high spirits ahead of their AFF Suzuki Cup 2018 final second-leg clash against Vietnam at the My Dinh Stadium in Hanoi on Saturday as two defensive stalwarts have recovered from injuries.
The two players are midfielder Aidil Zafuan Abd Radzak and left back Muhammad Syazwan Andik Mohd Ishak who did not feature in the first- leg at the National Stadium, Bukit Jalil last Tuesday, which ended in a 2-2 draw.
National coach Tan Cheng Hoe acknowledged that the return of the two defenders as well as Muhammad Syahmi Safari from a one-match suspension was a big relief.
“We hope with the return of these three defenders, will help us
We hope with the return of these three defenders, will help us in the defensive line up, although we know Vietnam’s attacks are moving faster and quicker to take the advantage, our players need to focus and defend the fortress. Tan Cheng Hoe, National coach
in the defensive line up, although we know Vietnam’s attacks are moving faster and quicker to take the advantage, our players need to focus and defend the fortress,” he told reporters before leaving for Hanoi from the Kuala Lumpur International Airport, here, yesterday.
In the meantime, Cheng Hoe did not rule out the possibility of a change in formation, especially in defence as it was breached easily in the first leg, but it depends on the situation on the day of the match.
“Our players already know the weather there, it could be raining or cold and they must be ready to adapt,” said Cheng Hoe, who was assistant coach to Datuk K. Rajagobal when Malaysia won the title for the first time in the 2010 edition. Football Association of Malaysia ( FAM) president Datuk Hamidin Mohd Amin, who is joining the team to Hanoi, mentioned that the tie could go either way.
Vietnam also have only won the Cup once, in 2008 “With the first leg a 2-2 draw, some supporters may think that we have a slim chance to win in Hanoi, but in football, anything can happen just like (previously) when we met Thailand.
“I think our chances to win Vietnam is 50-50, Vietnam will also be under pressure because they will be playing a before a fanatic home crowd,” said Hamidin. Malaysia beat more fancied Thailand in the semifinals.
The final result of the twolegged clash was 2-2 but Malaysia qualified for the final on the away goals rule.