Cheng Hoe: Harimau Malaya have a ‘surprise’ for Vietnam
KUALA LUMPUR: Having lost to Vietnam in their group match, many expect Harimau Malaya head coach Tan Cheng Hoe to have a trick or two up his sleeve when the two teams meet in the first leg of the AFF Suzuki Cup 2018 final at the National Stadium, Bukit Jalil today. And the coach hinted just as much too when he said: “We have a surprise for Vietnam.”
While aware of the uphill task awaiting his men, Cheng Hoe still expressed confidence that they could get a positive result as they would be extra motivated playing in front of 80,000 faithful home fans. Cheng Hoe also told his players to stay composed as they would come under added pressure playing in the final.
“Playing in our own home ground and getting the ful l support of our fans will surely raise our players’ spirits because a packed National Stadium exudes a different kind of atmosphere and aura all together.
“The Vietnamese defence is solid, so our players must be careful when going on the attack... we have a surprise for Vietnam,” he told the pre- match press conference here today. Revenge is another factor that’s bound to drive the Malaysian players on today, having lost 0-2 to Vietnam in the group stage in Hanoi on Nov 16.
Malaysia wil l need al l the motivation and support they can get because Vietnam, coached by South Korean Park Hang- Seo, have been impressive thus far, including downing the Philippines 4-2 on aggregate in the last four.
Malaysia, who also need to get a big win from the first leg for a comfortable cushion for the return leg in Hanoi on Dec 15, qualified for the final after beating reigning champions Thailand on the awaygoal rule.
Malaysia held Thailand to a goalless stalemate in the semifinal, first-leg tie at home on Dec 1 before drawing 2-2 with the War Elephants at the Rajamangala Stadium in Bangkok on Dec 5.