Teamwork key to Harimau Malaya's commendable outing — Cheng Hoe
JAKARTA: Malaysia’s success in finishing third in the FIFA 2026 ASEAN Cup campaign with impressive statistics was the result of a fighting spirit and the close bonds among players who operated like a family, said interim head coach Tan Cheng Hoe.
Malaysia's achievement of a third-place finish in the FIFA 2026 ASEAN Cup was a result of teamwork, a fighting spirit, and strong bonds among the players, according to interim head coach Tan Cheng Hoe. The team's impressive performance throughout the inaugural tournament highlighted a positive atmosphere, with all players sharing ambitious goals and a unified desire for success.
The coach noted that the closeness of the players, who enjoyed togetherness both on and off the pitch, played a significant role in their success. Malaysia secured their spot in the final with a 1-0 victory over Vietnam, thanks to a late goal by substitute forward Fergus Tierney, ending a 12-year winless streak against Vietnam. The team's accomplishments included three wins, one draw, and an unbeaten record without conceding a goal, while scoring a total of 10 goals.
Despite finishing the tournament unbeaten, Malaysia fell short of the final due to the number of goals scored, as they shared the same points and goal difference as the host team. Cheng Hoe urged the team to continue working hard to build a stronger squad and face future challenges. The coach emphasized that while the current success is commendable, there is still a long journey ahead for the national team.
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