PETALING JAYA: Harimau Malaya will take the positives from their FIFA Asean Cup campaign and move on, instead of wallowing in what might have been.
Malaysia thrashed Singapore 6-0 at the Si Jalak Harupat Stadium in Bandung on Thursday, but the emphatic win was not enough to book a place in the final.
Interim coach Tan Cheng Hoe (pic) said the team had to accept the outcome but should be proud of how they finished.
“We did not qualify for the final. But what is important is that we played very well in our last three matches.
“We were able to defend our goal effectively, and we also managed to score a lot of goals,” he said, acknowledging the fact his team have kept three clean sheets in the tournament.
“I feel proud of the result we achieved.
“I think we created history by beating Singapore by such a big margin. Of course, at the same time, we are a little disappointed.”
He added: “If my players continue to improve and keep believing in our style of play, I am sure we have a better future and better prospects ahead.”
Striker Bergson Da Silva scored from the penalty spot in the eighth minute.
Midfielder Stuart Wilkin made it 2-0 in the 26th minute, finishing off playmaker Manuel Hidalgo’s pass.
Da Silva grabbed his second in the 62nd minute and striker Paulo Josue added another in the 76th.
Substitute midfielder Syahir Bashah scored in the 87th minute before Da Silva completed his hattrick in stoppage time.
Indonesia, who earlier beat Bangladesh 9-2 at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in Jakarta, finished level with Malaysia on four points in Group A but took top spot on goal difference.
They will meet Group B champions Thailand in the final on Monday, while Malaysia face Vietnam in the bronze medal playoff.
Josue said the team’s best players had been performing well.
“The last time we beat Singapore by such a big margin was around 40 or 50 years ago, so we should be proud of this achievement,” he said.
“We are heading in the right direction.”
Malaysia will be without Faisal Halim for the third-place playoff.
“As a team, we certainly miss Faisal’s presence.
“Unfortunately, he picked up an injury recently, so I think he will have to miss the upcoming match,” said Cheng Hoe.
“He has a tear in his calf muscle. It may take quite a long time to recover, but our medical team will do everything possible to help Faisal recover.”
