Shoot to kill!
Cheng Hoe urges strikers to be at their lethal best against Laos
KUALA LUMPUR: Get me the goals.
That’s the message Malaysia coach Tan Cheng Hoe drummed into the national side as they get ready to host Laos for the second round of Group A matches in the Asean Football Federation (AFF) Suzuki Cup tonight.
Malaysia pulled off a 1-0 win over Cambodia in Phnom Penh last Thursday but Cheng Hoe was not impressed with the finishing of the strike force.
He is expected to make changes in his attack for tonight’s match at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil with the mission to bag three more points.
Norshahrul Idlan Talaha, who scored the only goal, captain Zaquan Adha Radzak, Mohamadou Sumareh and Safawi Rasid played in attack against Cambodia.
Cheng Hoe said his players need to maintain their focus whilst still playing in the attack-minded fashion that is his trademark.
“This is an important match for us and we have great respect for Laos as they are also good in counter-attacks,” he said.
“It’s important that we play with confidence but also in an attacking manner.
“We must score goals to win in our own place before we face favourites Vietnam and Myanmar later.
“I will likely make changes considering that our main weakness is in attack. I will either make changes to our attacking line-up or reshuffle their positions,” he said.
Having been defeated 0-3 at home by
Vietnam, Laos will be looking to bounce back.
Laos coach V. Sundramoorthy declared his side are the underdogs but he has also promised a committed showing from the visitors.
“Malaysia played well in their first match and they have a lot of dangerous players that we will need to contain,” said the former Singapore national player.
“We’re the underdogs but we know that if we turn up on the day, then we have a chance of upsetting any team.”
There will be an interesting subplot to the match with the respective coaches having been teammates at Kedah almost 20 years ago where they combined to help win the state’s first Malaysia Cup in 1990.
Sundramoorthy has played extensively in Malaysia and he is hoping that inside knowledge can help his side in front of a lively home crowd at Bukit Jalil.
“I know the Malaysian players well and of course I know their coach too, so it gives me a good idea of the team’s strengths and weaknesses. We have to find a good way to prepare a game plan to stop Malaysia.”