PETALING JAYA: National striker Paulo Josue believes the upcoming FIFA Asean Cup offers Malaysia national football team their best chance to finally end a long wait for silverware.
The regional tournament, scheduled during the Sept 21-Oct 6 international window, is seen by the veteran forward as an ideal platform for Malaysia to mount a serious title challenge against familiar South-East Asian rivals.
“I think it’s a great tournament and a great chance for Malaysia to lift a trophy,” said Josue after the AllStar Legends press conference yesterday.
“We know we can compete against the teams in South-East Asia quite well, we’ve already proved it before.
“Of course there are struggles a little here and there, but I definitely think the team can do something special for the country.”
Harimau Malaya last tasted silverware when they lifted the AFF Cup trophy in 2010.
Josue also feels local supporters have been longing for high-stakes matches and memorable finals involving the national team.
“I think Malaysian fans miss these kinds of games – finals and opportunities to win trophies. This tournament gives the players a chance to fight for something meaningful for the country,” he said.
Head coach Peter Cklamovski will have his work cut out as he will need to also prepare the Harimau Malaya for the Hyundai AFF Cup beforehand, taking place from July 24-Aug 26, before competing in the FIFA Asean Cup.
“This is the national team, and we have to be ready at all times,” Josue added.
“I hope that coach Cklamovski can bring all the best players in the country together and we can go out there and achieve something,” he said.
The countries that are set to compete at the FIFA Asean Cup alongside Malaysia are Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, the Philippines, Singapore, Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos, Brunei, and Timor-Leste.
The national team’s last outing saw them suffer a 3-1 defeat to Vietnam in their final Group F Asian Cup qualifier match in March.
