DistantNews
Support us
Malaysia's coach demands more despite dominant ASEAN Cup win
🇲🇾 Malaysia /Sports

Malaysia's coach demands more despite dominant ASEAN Cup win

From Utusan Malaysia · () Malay

Translated from Malay, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Malaysia's interim coach Tan Cheng Hoe acknowledges the team needs significant improvement despite a 4-0 victory over Laos in the ASEAN Cup.
  • The team faces a tougher challenge against Thailand next, requiring enhanced performance and attacking sharpness.
  • Cheng Hoe warns players against complacency, emphasizing the importance of teamwork and learning from experienced players.

Interim head coach Tan Cheng Hoe admits that the Malaysian national football team, Harimau Malaya, still has substantial work to do despite a commanding 4-0 win against Laos in their second ASEAN Cup group match. While the victory maintained their winning momentum, Cheng Hoe stressed that the team must elevate their performance significantly for their upcoming, more challenging fixture against Thailand.

As a coach, I am very satisfied with this result where we were able to continue the momentum and further improve the team's understanding. Three points motivate us before facing Thailand.

— Tan Cheng HoeExpressing satisfaction with the win but acknowledging the need for further improvement.

The Malaysian squad secured a comfortable win with goals from Paulo Josue, Endrick Dos Santos, an own goal by Laos' Viengxay Sitdavong, and Wan Kuzain Wan Ahmad Kamal. However, Cheng Hoe pointed out that breaking down Laos' defense proved difficult in the first half, highlighting a need for greater attacking efficiency. He emphasized that Thailand, playing on home soil with a quality squad, will present a much sterner test.

But surely we still have a lot of homework to do to further improve our game before facing the next match.

— Tan Cheng HoeHighlighting the areas needing improvement before the Thailand game.

"As a coach, I am very satisfied with this result where we were able to continue the momentum and further improve the team's understanding. Three points motivate us before facing Thailand," Cheng Hoe stated. "But surely we still have a lot of homework to do to further improve our game before facing the next match." He cautioned his players against complacency, reminding them that any mistake could be costly in their pursuit of a semi-final spot.

Thailand has a quality squad and plays on their home turf. We need to be prepared for a tougher challenge. Team spirit will be the key if we want to get a positive result.

— Tan Cheng HoeAssessing the upcoming match against Thailand.

Cheng Hoe also praised the development of young winger G. Pavithran, who contributed two assists despite initial struggles. He sees significant potential in the player, urging him to build confidence and learn from senior teammates. "Pavithran is showing improvement from one match to another. He needs to continue believing in his abilities and learn from more experienced players," Cheng Hoe added.

Pavithran is showing improvement from one match to another. He needs to continue believing in his abilities and learn from more experienced players.

— Tan Cheng HoePraising the development of young winger G. Pavithran.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Utusan Malaysia in Malay. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

More Stories

From Our Blog