Malaysia coach warns against underestimating Laos in ASEAN Cup

Interim Malaysia coach Tan Cheng Hoe has cautioned his squad against underestimating Laos in their upcoming ASEAN Cup fixture. Despite Laos suffering a heavy 5-0 defeat to Thailand in their opening Group B match, Cheng Hoe stressed that the young and energetic Laotian team possesses the capability to launch dangerous counter-attacks.

"We have analyzed Laos's game. Even though they lost to Thailand, we still need to respect them because they have a young and highly spirited team," Cheng Hoe stated at a press conference ahead of the match. "They will surely not want to lose for a second time. We cannot lose the ball easily in our own half and must be sharper in front of goal."

Malaysia began their campaign with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Myanmar. Cheng Hoe expressed his hope that this winning momentum would carry over into their second match against Laos at the Kuala Lumpur Football Stadium. However, the former Selangor FC coach acknowledged that the physical condition of his players would be assessed before deciding on the starting lineup.

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We have analyzed Laos's game. Even though they lost to Thailand, we still need to respect them because they have a young and highly spirited team. They will surely not want to lose for a second time. We cannot lose the ball easily in our own half and must be sharper in front of goal.

"We are happy to get three points in the first game, but the journey is still long and there are still several tough matches ahead," he added. "We need to ensure all players are at their best fitness level before making decisions about the lineup."

Cheng Hoe also noted that the blend of experienced players and new faces brings a different dimension to the team. He believes the senior players play a crucial role in guiding the younger ones as they adapt to the international stage.

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We are happy to get three points in the first game, but the journey is still long and there are still several tough matches ahead. We need to ensure all players are at their best fitness level before making decisions about the lineup.