Coach Cheng Hoe salutes Malaysian football fans

HANOI: Malaysian football team national coach Tan Cheng Hoe has saluted Malaysian fans who travelled to Hanoi to watch the crucial second leg of the AFF Suzuki Cup final between Malaysia and Vietnam at the MyDinh Stadium in here Saturday (Dec 15) night.

The former Kedah head coach was heartened by their commitment to travel with the team to countries like Cambodia, Thailand and Vietnam.

"I have to salute them. From day one, they've shown how passionate they are towards the flag and the team.

"I want to give something to the fans and winning the cup would be perfect," he said.

Harimau Malaya captain Mohd Zaquan Adha Abdul Radzak said the team would do their best in the game.

He added that coming back from a two-goal deficit to draw the first leg 2-2 showed that the team had good fighting qualities.

Mohd Zaquan, the 31-year-old Kuala Lumpur player added that the team had worked on their mistakes from the last two matches against the Golden Dragons.

He also urged the team to remain focused because any small mistake could be punished.

"Focus must be maintained until the whistle is blown. Let our game do the talking. Don't let abuse or sentiments provoke us."

Mohd Zaquan hoped the fans following the national team will continue supporting the team even after the cup is over.

Coach Cheng Hoe said that all players, except for Nazirul Naim Che Hashim who is still recovering from a groin injury, will be available for the game.

"Three days were enough to recoup their energy for the game in Hanoi. It will be a highly-charged match and the players will have to remain composed and calm.

"Vietnam players will resort to provocation and our players will have to be composed. Focus is key and I have told the defensive line to be on their toes.

"It will not be easy but Malaysia will never easily give up. We will do our best to win the cup," he said.

Malaysia last faced Vietnam in the semi-finals of the 2014 AFF Suzuki Cup, winning 5-4 on aggregate in the two-legged tie.

In the first leg of the AFF Suzuki Cup final at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil on Dec 11, Malaysia were trailing 0-2 within the first 30 minutes of the match but came back strongly to draw the match 2-2.

Malaysia last won the cup in 2010 under coach Datuk K. Rajagopal and their last final appearance was in 2014 when they lost 4-3 on aggregate to favourites Thailand.