KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia football team coach Peter Cklamovski (pic above) has thrown down the gauntlet ahead of a decisive trip to Hanoi next March, declaring that the Harimau Malaya will march into Vietnam with one clear mission: to win and finish their AFC Asian Cup 2027 Group F campaign in style.
Speaking after Malaysia ground out a 1-0 victory over Nepal at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil on Tuesday, Cklamovski said preparations for the March 31 showdown would begin swiftly but not before taking stock of how far his team have come.
“For now, I want to enjoy this and the year we had,” he said.
“What we’ve accomplished by winning last night hasn’t been done in this country or the national team for a very, very long time. Maybe over three decades, maybe 40 years since the national teams have been undefeated for a couple of years. I hope that makes people proud.”
Malaysia’s win stretched their perfect record to 15 points from five matches, cementing their place at the top of Group F.
Cklamovski credited his players for buying into a new identity and an ambitious playing style.
“That should be credited to the players for believing in our football and playing a brand of football that is worth talking about. So I encourage everybody to talk about football for a little while.”
Still, the Australian admitted that sluggish first halves have been an issue throughout the campaign.
“That was the message before the game – win the first half and win the second half. It was 0-0 at half-time but I told the boys those 45 minutes weren’t lost. The work we put in would bring rewards, like it has all year.”
He added that while an early goal would help set the tone, respecting opponents and sticking to principles remained non-negotiable.
“Football is more than 90 minutes, we got our rewards. That’s something we can improve on.”
Cklamovski also brushed aside concerns that uncertainty surrounding FIFA’s potential suspension of the Football Association of Malaysia and eligibility issues for several players might derail his long term project.
“They’re not different yet. We’re at the top of the table. We’re undefeated. The national team have never been on top of the table. At the moment, nothing’s changed.”
