‘Honda-powered’ Cambodia may know Malaysia better than expected
PETALING JAYA: Malaysia coach Tan Cheng Hoe is more concerned about Cambodia’s inside intel than their new Japanese coach Keisuke Honda when they meet in a friendly at the Phnom Penh National Olympic Stadium today.
Terengganu midfielder Thierry Chantha Bin and former Negri Sembilan and PKNP players Prak Mony Udom and Keo Sokpheng are expected to spill the beans on Malaysian football to Honda.
“I’m more concerned about the team than the coach. Some of them have been playing in the Malaysian League.
On top of this, they will be motivated due to their new coach, and they will get the backing of the home fans,” said Cheng Hoe in the prematch press conference.
“Cambodia have never been easy opponents for us and this time I’m sure their play- ers want to perform more than 100% in order to impress their new coach.”
The past four encounters between the two teams have been won by Malaysia, with their most recent clash at the 2016 AFF Cup where the Harimau Malaya won 3-2.
However, world No. 171 Malaysia, who were beaten 2-0 by world No. 125 Taiwan in Taipei on Friday, need to do better to overcome Cambodia, ranked 166th.
The good news is that the players are injury free and Cheng Hoe said he would rotate the squad for the match, which is being used as preparation for the 2018 AFF Cup at the end of the year.
“Only two days have passed since the match, so maybe there will be rotation tomorrow, especially at a time when I’m still identifying the players I want to take to the AFF Championship later this year,” said the former international.