Vingada wants to snap dry run in Asian Cup

PETALING JAYA: Coach Eduardo Vingada is plotting to end the national team’s winless run when they take on North Korea in the first of the 2019 Asian Cup qualifying Group B double header at the I-Mobile Stadium in Buriram, Thailand, today (9pm).

The match is finally taking place after being postponed three times due to diplomatic concerns between the two countries, the Asian Football Confederation’s (AFC) desire to monitor safety and the travel restriction implemented by the Malaysian government.

Malaysia are rooted to the bottom of the standings in Group B with a single point. Lebanon top the group with 10 points from three matches. Hong Kong are second with five points while North Korea are third with two points from three matches.

The 64-year-old Vingada believes that his side still have a chance to finish second in the group and qualify the 2019 Asian Cup Finals in the United Arab Emirates.

Vingada’s men need at least four points from the two North Korea matches to stay in contention for the Finals. Malaysia’s last Group B match is against Lebanon in Beirut next March.

The inclusion of four Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) players – S. Kunalan, Fazly Mazlan, Fadhli Shas and goalkeeper Izham Tarmizi – is expected to help strengthen the defence.

The Portuguese coach will be without talismanic skipper Safiq Rahim, who will miss the match due to a suspension. His place is likely be taken by the untested Nor Azam Azih of Pahang.

“This is our fourth game in the group and there’s still one spot available. Lebanon are set to advance as group winners,” said Vingada in the pre-match press conference yesterday.

“It’s all up to the players now. We still have a mathematical chance – the same as Hong Kong and North Korea – but we need to win tomorrow (today).”