{
  "id": 11842974,
  "title": "Cheng Hoe targets end to Malaysia's Vietnam drought",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/04/cheng-hoe-targets-end-to-malaysias-vietnam-drought",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-04T04:02:16.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/sports/football/2026/10/1547310/cheng-hoe-targets-end-malaysias-vietnam-drought"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "JAKARTA: Interim coach Tan Cheng Hoe is aiming to end Malaysia's 11-year drought without a victory over Vietnam in Monday's FIFA Asean Cup third-place playoff at the Gelora Bung Karno stadium. The Harimau Malaya team last defeated Vietnam in 2014, with a 4-2 win in the second leg of the Asean Championship semi-finals at the My Dinh Stadium in Hanoi. That victory secured Malaysia a 5-4 aggregate win and a place in the final. Since then, Harimau Malaya have lost their last nine matches against Vietnam, following a 2-2 draw in 2018. Cheng Hoe expressed his ambition to beat Vietnam but acknowledged the challenge ahead. He noted that Vietnam possesses strengths beyond their attacking prowess, including a robust defense bolstered by naturalized players. Cheng Hoe's primary focus now is on his players' physical and mental recovery after a grueling series of matches. The third-place playoff is scheduled to commence at 5pm Malaysian time, while the final between Indonesia and Thailand will take place at the same venue at 9pm.",
  "summary": "JAKARTA: Interim coach Tan Cheng Hoe hopes to end Malaysia’s wait of more than 11 years for a win over Vietnam in Monday’s FIFA Asean Cup third-place playoff at the Gelora Bung Karno.",
  "key_points": [
    "Tan Cheng Hoe aims to end Malaysia's 11-year losing streak against Vietnam.",
    "Harimau Malaya last defeated Vietnam in 2014 with a 4-2 win.",
    "Cheng Hoe focuses on players' physical and mental recovery for the playoff."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}