Cheng Hoe remains optimistic of positive result in Hanoi
KUALA LUMPUR: Harimau Malaya head coach Tan Cheng Hoe believes his team can overcome the 2-2 draw at home when they play Vietnam in the second leg of the 2018 AFF Suzuki Cup final in Hanoi this Saturday.
Cheng Hoe admitted that his side lost concentration which allowed Vietnam to score two goals after 25 minutes of play in the first leg at Bukit Jalil on Tuesday night. But he remains optimistic of his team’s chances.
“Overall we played well and of course we did concede two easy goals. We started well but then lost concentration but we st i l l have 90 minutes to go and I’m positive and optimistic for the game in Hanoi,” he said at the postm a t c h press conference here. The national side fought hard to level the match despite being down 0- 2. Shahrul Mohd Saad headed in the first goal followed by the equaliser from Muhammad Safawi Rasid’s superb free kick in the second half. Meanwhile, Vietnam’s head coach Park Hang- Seo expressed dissappointment with t he result. “It was little bit disappointing to draw in a away match, so we must do better in Hanoi,” he said. On Tuesday’s match, Muhammad Safawi said it was the most intense match the Har imau Malaya had played in the tournament so far. “It was a close match and the two goals we gave away put added pressure on us. But we fought back and now have 90 more minutes to do our best and bring the Cup home,” he said. — Bernama