Captain Paulo Josue Praises Harimau Malaya's Fighting Spirit After ASEAN Cup Victory

Harimau Malaya captain Paulo Josue expressed pride in his team's fighting spirit after their hard-fought 2-1 victory over Myanmar in the ASEAN Cup. Despite a short preparation period, the Malaysian squad demonstrated strong cohesion, proving that limited time together was not a barrier to forming a competitive unit.

Josue, who scored both goals for Malaysia, was instrumental in the comeback win. He acknowledged the challenge of adapting to coach Tan Cheng Hoe's tactics within approximately 10 days but praised his teammates' performance. "I think we played very well in the first half. We conceded one goal which was unplanned, but we knew Myanmar had fast counter-attacks and transitions," he said.

The naturalized striker, playing for Kuala Lumpur City, was named Man of the Match for his decisive contribution. He highlighted the team's resilience in the second half, stating, "Thank God we managed to come back in the second half. Overall, I think we showed good play and I am proud of my teammates."

This victory marks a positive start for Harimau Malaya in Group B of the tournament. It not only secures three crucial points but also injects significant confidence into the squad as they prepare for their remaining group stage matches.