Arif lets his football do the talking for Harimau Malaya

Harimau Malaya winger Arif Aiman Hanapi is content to let his on-field actions speak for themselves. While quizzed about his knack for outpacing opponents with European backgrounds, Arif remained modest, stating simply: "I don't want to say anything. You can see it yourselves, right?" His reply suggested that his talent was evident enough without any further explanation.

During Harimau Malaya's tournament display, Arif showcased his ability to hold his own against physically imposing and experienced players. The winger's pace, confidence, and relentless attacking runs were evident in every match, particularly in one-on-one encounters. However, he swiftly redirected attention from his individual brilliance to the team's success.

Malaysia's Group A campaign started with a resounding 3-0 victory over Bangladesh, followed by a goalless stalemate with Indonesia and a dominant 6-0 thrashing of Singapore. Aiming for a perfect tournament record, the team recorded nine goals and conceded none in the three matches. Arif expressed satisfaction with the team's performance, assuring Malaysian supporters that there was no reason for disappointment: "For me, the Malaysian supporters don't need to be disappointed.

There is no need to criticise us because we have given our best in these three matches without conceding."

Midfielder Stuart Wilkin echoed Arif's sentiments, emphasizing the pride the team felt in their accomplishments. Despite missing the final, Wilkin highlighted the nine goals scored and zero conceded as a testament to Harimau Malaya's strong showing. He acknowledged the disappointment of not advancing but reaffirmed the team's pride in their achievements, particularly with the integration of new players and changes in coaching:

"We are proud of what we have achieved. We have scored nine goals in this tournament and have not conceded, so it is difficult to believe that we did not qualify for the final. Of course we are disappointed, but we are proud of what we have achieved," Wilkin stated.

Wilkin also pointed to the team's collective improvement with each match, noting the growing confidence among the players. While acknowledging the challenges posed by integrating new talents and shifting coaching dynamics, he remained optimistic about the team's progress, saying, "I think with every game we have become more confident as a group. Of course, we have new players in the squad and we need to build that understanding. So it is a learning process, but I think we have improved with every game."

As Malaysia shifts focus to the third-place playoff against Vietnam on Monday, the team remains poised for further success.