From Ahmad Nazrin Syahmi Mohamad Arif
BANDUNG, Oct 2 (Bernama) -- Malaysia will have to do without the services of Mohamad Faisal Abdul Halim for the FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026 third-place playoff after the winger suffered a tendon and right calf muscle injury.
Interim national head coach Tan Cheng Hoe said Faisal Halim's injury was expected to require a relatively long recovery period, but the medical team would do everything possible to ensure that he returned to full fitness.
He acknowledged that the absence of the player, who is nicknamed Mickey, would be felt by the team, particularly as he had been one of the key players capable of posing a threat and providing energy in the Harimau Malaya attack.
“I think the team really misses Faisal Halim's presence. But because he picked up an injury the other day (against Indonesia), I think he will have to miss the upcoming match. We hope Faisal Halim recovers as soon as possible for the matches ahead.
“It may take quite a long time (for the recovery process), but the medical team will do everything possible to help Faisal Halim recover,” Cheng Hoe said at a post-match press conference after Malaysia defeated Singapore 6-0 in their final Group A Division 1 match of the FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026 here last night.
In the match against Singapore, Faisal, who was not named in the squad, was seen arriving at the stadium on crutches, with his right leg also fitted with a brace, indicating the seriousness of his injury.
The absence of the Selangor FC player is another challenge for Cheng Hoe as he prepares the team for the third-place playoff against the Group B runners-up at Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in Jakarta next Monday.
Malaysia finished second in Group A with seven points after thrashing Singapore 6-0, but missed out on a place in the final to Indonesia on the basis of goals scored.
-- BERNAMA