Josue insists Malaysia can make another World Cup push
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia should not abandon their World Cup ambitions despite falling short in the previous qualifying campaign, says veteran midfielder Paulo Josue.
Malaysia should not abandon their aspirations to reach the World Cup, according to veteran midfielder Paulo Josue. The 37-year-old midfielder believes the national team can make another bid for the prestigious tournament, provided they field a strong squad and keep their key players fit. In the 2026 World Cup qualifying round, Malaysia finished third in Group D with 10 points, one behind Kyrgyzstan who advanced to the third round alongside Oman.
Malaysia defeated Kyrgyzstan 4-3 in a home match and drew 1-1 in an away game, but two losses against Oman ultimately cost them a spot in the third round. Despite falling short, Josue is confident in Malaysia's abilities and insists the team should carry that belief into their next qualifying campaign. He acknowledges that advancing to the World Cup remains a daunting challenge due to the strength of Asian football, but maintains that it is not impossible.
Josue also believes that qualifying for the Asian Cup is a more achievable goal, as long as Malaysia maintains a strong squad and avoids injuries.
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