Will Malaysia take another chance with De Paula in do-or-die game?

KUALA LUMPUR: Will under-fire naturalised player Guilherme de Paula be fielded in Malaysia’s next match against Vietnam on June 11 in the 2022 World Cup-2023 Asian Cup second round qualifying Group G match?

It’s uncertain as national coach Tan Cheng Hoe is keeping his cards close to his chest.

“We will discuss and find the best combination,” said Cheng Hoe.

De Paula took the biggest hit following Harimau Malaya’s 4-0 capitulation to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Friday.

Social media trolls slammed the player while many Harimau Malaya fans also questioned why De Paula was not substituted while others, who did better, were.

Cheng Hoe said it was because the coaching panel believed that the Brazilian was capable of getting an equaliser.

“We had faith because he had the physical size and the finishing. We were thinking positively because we were only 1-0 down then.

“So, we thought we could get an equaliser through De Paula,” he said in a virtual media conference from Dubai.

The challenge for Cheng Hoe now is to boost the players’ motivation and determination for the two remaining must-win matches. The other match is against Thailand on June 15.

Meanwhile, Cheng Hoe praised the backline, especially Dion Cools (of Belgian-Malaysian parentage), who was quick to blend in despite it being his debut with the Harimau Malaya.

“With his experience, having played at the highest level in Europe, he was calm and he was also tactically and technically spot-on,” he said.

“His reading of the game was also good.

“We hope he will be able to help raise the team’s standard and guide the younger players so that the country’s football future will be brighter.”—Bernama.