By Ahmad Nazrin Syahmi Mohamad Arif
BANDUNG, Oct 1 (Bernama) -- Interim national head coach Tan Cheng Hoe admitted to being disappointed after Malaysia failed to reach the final of the 2026 FIFA ASEAN Cup despite thrashing Singapore 6-0 in their final Group A Division 1 match at Si Jalak Harupat Stadium here tonight.
The victory fell short as Indonesia defeated Bangladesh 9-2 in another group match at Gelora Bung Karno (GBK) Stadium in Jakarta to finish as group champions on goal tally.
Harimau Malaya finished their group campaign with seven points, the same as Indonesia, with both teams also recording an identical goal difference of nine.
However, the Garuda secured a place in the final after scoring 11 goals throughout the group campaign compared with Malaysia’s nine.
Cheng Hoe said his players had given their all on the pitch, particularly with their high level of commitment, game control and clinical finishing, which produced six goals against their Causeway rivals.
“Our players performed very well and were committed in every movement. Our ball control and finishing were also good. But in football, things like this happen. It is a case of joy amid disappointment.
“We have to move forward, think positively and improve ourselves for the next match,” he said in a press conference after the match here.
In the final group matches tonight, Malaysia led Singapore 2-0, while Indonesia were 6-1 ahead of Bangladesh at half-time.
Harimau Malaya then stepped up the pressure in the second half, scoring four more goals, with naturalised striker Bergson da Silva completing a hat-trick.
However, the victory was not enough to challenge Indonesia’s position, as the latter ended their campaign with a 9-2 win.
Malaysia, which recorded two wins and a draw in the group campaign, will face Vietnam in the third-place play-off, while Indonesia will take on Thailand in the final, with both matches to be played at GBK on Monday.
-- BERNAMA