PETALING JAYA: Malaysia coach Peter Cklamovski has described the AFF Hyundai Cup as a vital platform for long-term national team development following Harimau Malaya’s placement in a challenging Group B draw.
Malaysia have been grouped alongside regional heavyweights Thailand, as well as Myanmar, Laos and the Philippines, in the biennial tournament which runs from July 24 to Aug 26.
Cklamovski said the tournament presents an important opportunity, especially as it falls outside the FIFA international window, allowing the coaching staff to focus on squad depth and player development.
"The AFF Cup presents an important development opportunity for us," he said in a statement issued by the national team on Thursday (Jan 15) night.
"Being held outside the FIFA international window, it allows us to focus on building depth, giving emerging players international experience and strengthening the national team pathway as we prepare towards future major tournaments, including the 2027 SEA Games in Malaysia."
Malaysia will open their Group B campaign against Myanmar before facing Laos and Thailand, and will conclude their group fixtures against the Philippines.
The full match schedule, including venues and kick-off times, will be announced on Saturday (Jan 16).
In Group A, Vietnam, Singapore, Indonesia and Cambodia will be joined by the winner of the playoff between Brunei Darussalam and Timor-Leste.
The two sides will contest a home-and-away qualifying round, with the first leg on June 2 in Brunei and the return leg on June 9 in Timor-Leste.
The top two teams from each group will advance to the home-and-away semifinals scheduled for Aug 15 and 16 and Aug 18 and 19, with the two-legged final set to take place on Aug 22 and 26.
