Cheng Hoe’s the right man to lead revival of national team, says Syafiq
PETALING JAYA: Striker Syafiq Ahmad believes Tan Cheng Hoe is the right man to revive the battered image of the national football team.
The 22-year-old Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) star said he and his teammates have discovered the joy of playing a short and high-intensity passing game under Cheng Hoe since he took charge.
Syafiq is no stranger to Cheng Hoe’s football philosophy having played under him previously in Kedah.
Malaysia have yet to register a win under Cheng Hoe, drawing 2-2 against Mongolia in a friendly at home on March 22 and losing 2-1 in an Asian Cup qualifier defeat by Lebanon in Beirut on Tuesday.
Syafiq says Cheng Hoe’s tactical approach is taking shape and it’s only a matter of time before Malaysia begin to produce positive results.
“His ( Cheng Hoe) philosophy has got us going again and is making us enjoy playing football,” said Syafiq, who scored his first international goal in the match against Lebanon.
“He wants the team to play entertaining football and that has motivated us.
“I have played for him in Kedah, so it wasn’t hard for me to adapt. But surely, the intensity is much higher at international level.”
Having earned his first two international caps coming in from the bench, Syafiq will be hoping to land a starting role against Bhutan at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil tomorrow following an impressive display in Beirut.
Syafiq was one of two JDT players, besides Nazmi Faiz, who rejoined the national team after being controversially released by Cheng Hoe following the Mongolia draw.
Cheng Hoe had released 12 JDT players after the friendly following criticism that he was fielding too many players from the reigning Super League champions. He then brought in nine new players from other teams.
Syafiq played down the incident and said the national team were united.
“There’s no problem in the national camp from the start, we’re united as a team,” said Syafiq.
“We leave club rivalries behind us when we are in the national team. Our goal is one – to represent Malaysia and do the nation proud.”
World No. 178 Malaysia will be out to end a 12-game winless streak when they face Bhutan, who are ranked 10 rungs lower.
The last win secured by Malaysia was in November 2016 when they beat Cambodia 3-2 at the AFF Suzuki Cup group stage.