HOW TO USE DE PAULA?
Cheng Hoe says naturalised Brazilian is not the only one to be blamed for Malaysia’s 4-0 loss to Jordan
AT yesterday’s online press conference, national coach Tan Cheng Hoe was asked the question that every fan has been asking.
What to do with Guilherme de Paula? Or how best to use him in the national team?
The naturalised Brazilian, who started playing for Malaysia in June, has turned out to be goal shy. And again he fired blanks in Malaysia’s 4-0 loss to Jordan in an international friendly in Amman on Wednesday.
Referring to the issue, Cheng Hoe said yesterday everyone is entitled to their own opinions.
“De Paula is not a player whom we simply picked to fill up the team. But when the whole team cannot move to attack, it would be hard for any striker to score goals.”
So, it seems De Paula, 34, is not entirely to be blamed for Harimau Malaya’s failure to get goals.
On the Jordan match, Cheng Hoe said: “We were always under pressure, we could not move into the opponent’s half. We conceded goals due to individual mistakes.” Cheng Hoe admitted that Harimau Malaya were toothless against Jordan, and just could not launch attacks.
On Thursday, former international Khalid Ali told Timesport that Cheng Hoe did not utilise De Paula well in his natural position.
Cheng Hoe said De Paula, who plays for Johor Darul Ta’zim, is still looking for chemistry and momentum in the team.
Today, fans will hope De Paula has settled into the team when Malaysia play Uzbekistan in a friendly in Amman.
Cheng Hoe admitted that world No. 84 Uzbekistan are even stronger than Jordan. “We need to play as a unit, we want to give at least a good fight.
“Uzbekistan have players playing overseas and have the advantage and quality.
“We will need to focus on our defending, not make individual mistakes and have good teamwork,” said Cheng Hoe.
De Paula will want to show that he is not a misfit with goals against Uzbekistan. But his teammates will need to supply him with the passes first.
Recently, national team manager Datuk Yusoff Mahadi said De Paula must be mentally ready to shoulder the responsibility of leading the line and get as many goals as possible.
“If he can’t score in every match, then it means he can’t be of help to us. We have roped him in with the specific task of finding the net, that is his responsibility,” Yusoff was quoted as telling the media.