Hitting the hitmen
Cheng Hoe: Malaysia can only progress if strikers sharpen up
PETALING JAYA: Malaysia’s forwards must improve their shooting accuracy if they are to progress to the knockout stage of the Asean Football Federation (AFF) Suzuki Cup.
The national team under Tan Cheng Hoe got off to a winning start when they edged Cambodia 1-0 in Thursday’s Group A match at the Olympic Stadium in Phnom Penh.
However, the Malaysian team found it tough playing on the uneven artificial pitch and only managed to get things going after 20 minutes.
It was Cambodia who threatened in the early moments despite the absence of team manager Keisuke Honda on the bench. The Japanese had playing commitments in the Australian League.
Experienced striker Norshahrul Idlan Talaha’s header in the 30th minute turned out to be the only goal of the night.
Malaysia also hit the post twice through forwards Safawi Rasid and Mohamadou Sumareh.
Cheng Hoe said playing the first match is never easy.
“We had six players playing for the first time for the national team and it was not easy to get going,” said Cheng Hoe.
“We played Cambodia in a friendly last month (Malaysia won 3-1), so we knew they were not pushovers, especially as they were playing in front of a full crowd at their venue.
“Cambodia played well on the artificial pitch but we managed to absorb the pressure.
“I hope this win will give the players more confidence going into the second match (against Laos).
“But we have to improve our finishing. We had only three shots out of 10 on target.
“I hope to see better shooting in the next match as it will only get tougher after this.”
Malaysia play Laos on Nov 12 at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil.
They then travel to Hanoi to play Vietnam on Nov 16 before wrapping up their group campaign against Myanmar in Bukit Jalil on Nov 24.
Malaysia last won the AFF Cup in 2010.
Vietnam underlined their title credentials in another Group A match by beating Laos 3-0 in Vientiane on Thursday.