KUALA LUMPUR — Surviving a shocking scare against world number 198 Timor Leste was tough enough, but Malaysia now face an even greater challenge. They are set to take on group favourites Thailand with a depleted squad in their third Group A match of the Asean Cup this Saturday.
After narrowly defeating minnows Timor Leste 3-2 at the Bukit Jalil National Stadium last night, Harimau Malaya’s interim coach Pau Marti Vicente confirmed that several players would not make the trip to Bangkok due to club commitments.
While Vicente did not disclose the names of the players or their clubs, it is understood that Sabah FC players will miss the tie as they are preparing for the Malaysia Cup quarter-finals against Kuching on Sunday.
Adding to Malaysia’s woes, three key players – Darren Lok, Fergus Tierney, and Syafiq Ahmad – have been ruled out after picking up injuries during the match against Timor Leste.
“Emotionally, the game against Timor Leste was tough for everyone. The players need to recover, and it’s a big challenge,” said Vicente, who will step down as interim coach after the Asean Cup.
“Some players are injured, and others won’t be joining us for the next match. It’s difficult for the players to stay focused when their clubs need them back.
“They are giving their best, and we still have a chance to go all the way, although it’s far from the ideal situation,” he added.
When pressed on how many players from the 26-man squad would not travel to Bangkok, Vicente simply replied: “We know, of course, but we won’t share it here. It’s important we field the best team possible. Right now, we are dealing with three players going to the hospital.”
Vicente, who led Malaysia to the Merdeka Cup title in September, emphasised that the upcoming clash with Thailand would be a completely different challenge compared to the match against Timor Leste.
For context, Thailand hammered Timor Leste 10-0 in their opening Group A fixture last Sunday, while Malaysia could only manage a 2-2 draw against Cambodia in Phnom Penh.
Singapore, the other team in the group, began their campaign with a 2-1 victory over Cambodia yesterday.
“We cannot compare these games; they are completely different. Most of our players have already played four to five matches in 12 days, including with clubs, when we came into the tournament. They need time to recover and regroup,” Vicente said.
“In my view, the national team should always represent the best players in the country. The Asean Cup is an important tournament, and every team comes here to win. But when you face challenges like these, it becomes much harder.
“I tell the players, we have a squad of 26, and everyone is important. As a team, we must keep going,” he explained.
After the match against Thailand, Malaysia will return to Bukit Jalil to face Singapore in their final group fixture on December 20. Only the top two teams from Groups A and B will progress to the semi-finals. — December 12, 2024