From Ahmad Nazrin Syahmi Mohamad Arif
BANDUNG, Oct 2 (Bernama) -- Interim national head coach Tan Cheng Hoe believes Malaysia's convincing performance throughout the FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026 group campaign is a positive sign for Harimau Malaya despite failing to advance to the final.
Malaysia missed out on a place in the final despite thrashing Singapore 6-0 in their final Group A Division 1 match at Si Jalak Harupat Stadium here last night, after Indonesia went on a goal-scoring spree to beat Bangladesh 9-2 at Gelora Bung Karno (GBK) Stadium in Jakarta.
Malaysia and Indonesia both finished the group campaign with seven points and the same goal difference, but the Garuda squad emerged group champions on the basis of the number of goals scored, having netted 11 compared with Malaysia's nine.
Cheng Hoe said the players needed to accept the disappointment of failing to reach the final, but should not overlook the team's achievement of recording two wins and one draw, in which they scored nine goals without conceding any.
“I think we have to accept the fact that we did not qualify for the final. But the important thing is that we played very well in the last three matches.
“We were able to maintain clean sheets and also score so many goals. I think that is a good sign for the national team,” he said at a post-match press conference.
He said the national team needed to continue building confidence and understanding among the players, while maintaining focus in facing the challenges ahead.
“We need to continue our journey. We have to focus on the future and move forward. We are confident in the team's ability for the upcoming matches. We also want a positive result for the team,” said the 58-year-old coach.
Malaysia opened their campaign with a 3-0 win over Bangladesh before holding hosts Indonesia to a goalless draw, followed by the big win over Singapore.
The national team will face the Group B runners-up in the third-place playoff, while Indonesia will take on Thailand in the final, with both matches to be held at GBK next Monday.
-- BERNAMA