MALAYSIA CLAIM FIVE GOLDS IN ASIAN CHAMPIONSHIP
Coach Cheng Hoe believes team are progressing well for AFF meet
PETALING JAYA: National head coach Tan Cheng Hoe reckons his side’s preparations for next month’s Asean Football Federation (AFF) Championship are moving in the right direction.
This comes after the 50-year-old saw his charges’ spirited display against the higher-ranked Kyrgyzstan before going down 0-1 in a friendly match at the Hang Jebat Stadium in Melaka on Tuesday.
The 171st-ranked Malaysia matched the world No. 91 Kyrgyzstan throughout the contest but a lapse of concentration cost them dearly.
The visitors secured the winning goal in the 68th minute when substitute Bekzhan Sagynbaev pounced on a deflection to beat goalkeeper Khairul Fahmi Che Mat.
Cheng Hoe couldn’t fault his team’s efforts, given the number of chances his players created and the duration they controlled the ball against the more illustrious rivals who will feature in the Asian Cup next year.
“We can see more positive signs tonight,” said Cheng Hoe. “The important thing is that the players play the way we want to play.
“They keep possession, create plenty of chances that unfortunately they could not convert.
“These are positive things as it’s my intention to see how our players perform against a better team.”
The only thing lacking from the team was the finishing touch, but Cheng Hoe is convinced that goals will eventually come when he has a full squad at his disposal.
The team were clearly missing the services of Safawi Rasid and Syafiq Ahmad who were not called up for this international break.
The attacking duo are with Johor Darul Ta’zim preparing for the Malaysia Cup semi-finals.
“Once we get back our (key) players, I’m sure we can score the goals. The positive thing is that the team are creating chances,” he said.
Malaysia thrashed Sri Lanka 4-1 in another friendly match last Saturday.
They will play their last friendly match against the Maldives at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil on Nov 3 before heading into the AFF meet which will be held from Nov 8-15.
Malaysia are drawn in Group A with Vietnam, Myanmar, Cambodia and Laos.