PETALING JAYA: Entering the pitch with a positive mindset will be half the battle won for midfielder Daryl Sham George when Malaysia take on the Philippines in their decisive Hyundai AFF Cup match at the Kuala Lumpur Stadium on Saturday.
And that’s the Harimau Malaya spirit which interim coach Tan Cheng Hoe’s men need to bounce back from their 2-0 loss to Thailand in Bangkok last Saturday.
Despite two wins and being equal on points with second-placed Myanmar, Malaysia are currently third in Group B due to a lower goal difference.
As only the top two teams will advance to the semi-finals, the final home game is a must-win for the men in yellow.
The 23-year-old Daryl was candid about the current mentality in the dressing room after a training session at UM Arena on Tuesday.
“We made a few blunders (against Thailand). These things happen, but it’s important to maintain a positive mindset ahead of the next game,” he said.
‘’We must go in with a fearless and winning mentality.’’
Cheng Hoe’s team had gone into the game in Bangkok on a two-game winning streak but group leaders Thailand, who have a perfect record in the tournament so far with three wins and no goals conceded, proved to be too formidable a challenge.
Daryl, however, stated how the team were united in their goal of winning the next match to make amends for the loss.
“We’re working together as a team to support each other and will definitely perform better against the Philippines.”
He further stated that overcoming this hurdle could even propel the team with the momentum to make the final.
“Philippines are a good team but if we beat them, I’m confident we can even make the final,” added the Johor Darul Ta’zim II playmaker.
