Stand tall: Harimau Malaya line-up of coaches led by Pau Martí Vicente (second from left) before the AFF Cup match against Singapore. — Bernama
PETALING JAYA: Pau Marti Vicente’s task to lead the Harimau Malaya during uncertain times was not a walk in the park, but the Spaniard can take heart for stepping up.
Having taken over the national team abruptly due to the departure of Kim Pan-gon in July, Vicente faced challenging odds as an interim head coach.
The big and final test was at the AFF Cup but Malaysia’s hope to see the team go through the semi-finals was dashed when the match ended in a goalless draw with Singapore at the Bukit Jalil National Stadium on Friday.
It saw them being booted out of the competition after finishing third in Group A, while Singapore joined group champions Thailand to the last four knockout stage.
The reality that his last match with the Harimau Malaya was over didn’t set in immediately for Vicente but he took it in his stride.
Vicente’s time with the national setup had concluded as it had been announced earlier that it would be the Spaniard’s final duty at the helm, along with others in the coaching staff, including assistant coach Juan Torres Garrido and Park Bo-bae, fitness coach Park Ji-hyeon and Oscar Balaguer Cabeza, analysts Lim Jae-hun and Lee Je-yoon, and goalkeeping coach Cho Jun-ho.
“Once you finish the game, you go over and say congratulations to the opposing team’s coach, it’s almost mechanical,” said Vicente.
“But a few minutes later, I realised that this was the last match with the team, and it was emotional with the coaching staff and especially with the players.
“We have been through a lot. So many trips, time spent in training and hotels,” he said.
Vicente recalled his time here in Malaysia as something he would never forget, adding that the team are now his favourite national team to support.
“When you move halfway across the world with your family, you never know what you’re going to find,” he said.
“But I think we found friends, people that we will keep close forever.
“It has also been a privilege to work with the Malaysian players. Just to help them a little along their journey is the most rewarding aspect of all.
“To have the respect of the players will be the most valuable thing for me. I want them to remember me and the other coaches as good people who tried to help them,” he said.
Vicente also shared some messages for incoming head coach Peter Cklamovski, who was announced to be the new gaffer on Monday, before the AFF Cup concluded.
“Take care of the players because they have a lot of potential. Just make sure the players push themselves to reach the standards they want to achieve.
“I wish him all the best and the coaching staff too, and especially the players. I believe they can achieve their goals,” he added.
Although his time with the national team is over, Vicente said he will still remain in Malaysia for several months as it would be difficult to uproot his family on such a short notice.
