Go get the three points
Coach Cheng Hoe urges team to start off Suzuki Cup challenge on the right foot
PETALING JAYA: It’s a match Malaysia can’t afford to lose.
Malaysia will kick off their Asean Football Federation (AFF) Suzuki Cup campaign with a Group A tie against Cambodia at the National Olympic Stadium in Phnom Penh tonight.
Malaysia last took on Cambodia in a friendly at the same venue last month, coming back strongly after the interval to take a 3-1 victory.
The hosts have undergone dramatic changes in their coaching set-up in recent months, with former Japan international Keisuke Honda and Argentine Felix Dalmas taking charge.
Just like in 2016, Malaysia have Cambodia, Vietnam and Myanmar as their opponents while Laos are the fifth side in a group that is likely to see an intriguing battle for the two semi-final berths.
National coach Tan Cheng Hoe wants his charges to earn the three points to make it easier to progress from the group.
“We played Cambodia last month but that was just a friendly. It will be a competitive game this time and I am sure they are eager to take us on.
“The first match is not easy for any team but I hope our boys can earn the three points.
“My players are in good shape and we’re looking forward to playing a good match,”
said Cheng Hoe, who is taking charge of the national team in a major tournament for the first time.
Dalmas will be in charge of the Cambodian side for the opening match as Honda has playing commitments in the Australian League.
“Keisuke Honda won’t be here for the match. Hopefully, he will be joining us for a couple of games later in the tournament,” said Dalmas.
“Despite the fact he is not physically here, he is still communicating with us and is still aware of everything that’s going on.
“I don’t think his absence will affect us a lot. We learned a lot from our recent meeting with Malaysia,” added Dalmas.
Cambodia have yet to progress from the group stage but Malaysia have a strong record in the AFF Suzuki Cup.
Champions in 2010, Malaysia reached the semi-finals in 2012 and finished as runners-up in 2014 but failed to make it into the knockout rounds two years ago.