"We gave too much respect to Vietnam."
That was Harimau Malaya head coach Tan Cheng Hoe's frank assessment of the team's 3-0 loss at the hands of Vietnam in their third Group B match of the 2020 ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) Championship in Bishan Stadium, Singapore, last night.
Cheng Hoe admitted that the better team won and described the match against the reigning champion as a gruelling battle as his charges did their best to create an upset against Vietnam on the pitch.
"I don't think we lost due to a tactical error but I noticed that we played with a lot of caution and sat deep especially in the first half.
"My team were a tad bit casual and we could not keep possession of the ball as we normally do in this match," he said in a post-match press conference today.
The 53-year-old coach said his players should make the most of the bitter lesson they learnt in their match against the fiery 'Golden Dragon' and urged them to move forward by turning their attention to the crucial tie against arch-rivals Indonesia next Sunday, to keep their chances to qualify to the semi-finals alive.
He also hoped the players would use the week off to recover fully ahead of their final Group B match on Dec 19.
Cheng Hoe believed that the result would have been totally different if he had a full squad at his disposal.
"COVID-19 and several injuries to our players had affected the team's morale but I still need to compliment the way they worked very hard to get the result," he added.
He also did not want to blame Luqman Hakim Shamsudin for missing a great chance to equalise for Malaysia in the 33rd minute and hoped that the Belgium-based KV Kortrijk player would not be demotivated by such mistakes in the future.
Meanwhile, Vietnam head coach Park Hang-seo was elated to see his team walk off the pitch with three points tonight and hailed his players for displaying great character to win their second Group B game.
"It is always difficult to play against Malaysia but in the end I was very happy to get a win today," he said.
Malaysia were punished for failing to adapt quickly to the high-intensity game as Vietnam scored twice in a space of four minutes in the first half before sealing the game with their third goal in the dying minutes of the match.
Vietnam's goals were scored by Nguyen Quang Hai in the 32nd minute, followed by Nguyen Cong Phuong (36') and Nguyen Hoang Doc (89').
The result also ended Harimau Malaya's unbeaten run in the group, after successive wins over Cambodia and Laos.
With their loss, Malaysia has dropped to third place in Group B behind leaders Indonesia and Vietnam, severely affecting their chance to qualify for the semi-finals.
It is also Malaysia's sixth defeat in their last seven clashes against Vietnam, and fifth for Cheng Hoe since he took charge of the national team in 2017.
-- BERNAMA
Bernama
Mon Dec 13 2021
"We gave too much respect to Vietnam." That was Harimau Malaya head coach Tan Cheng Hoe's frank assessment of the team's 3-0 loss in an AFF Cup Group B match in Singapore last night. - Facebook/FAMalaysiaOfficial
Iran's supreme leader says Hamas leader's death will not halt 'Axis of Resistance'
The "Axis of Resistance", built up with years of Iranian support, includes Hamas, the Lebanese Hezbollah group, the Houthi movement in Yemen, and various Shi'ite groups in Iraq and Syria.
Putin says Russia willing to seek compromises between Iran and Israel
Russia is ready to help seek compromises between arch-foes Israel and Iran, President Vladimir Putin said on Friday, saying these would be difficult but possible.
What proposals will Russia push at the BRICS summit?
The proposal is also to establish a BRICS reinsurance company to allow uninterrupted shipment of goods and key commodities between members.
Indonesia's free meals plan in the spotlight as Prabowo readies for office
Prabowo calls the programme one of the main drivers of economic growth, eventually set to add an estimated 2.5 million jobs.
Astro AWANI's revamped English news website, AWANI International, launches on Oct 21
Astro AWANI's revamped English platform delivers in-depth global news and expert analysis to keep you informed on key developments.
Israeli strikes kill 33 people in Jabalia refugee camp in Gaza, medics say
Residents of Jabalia said Israeli tanks had reached the heart of the camp after pushing through suburbs and residential districts.
Liam Payne's ex-partner calls for media restraint after 'painful' death
Cheryl Tweedy used her statement to urge the media to remember they had a seven-year-old son, Bear, who could read the reports.
Analysts: Indonesia's strong MoF leadership team to boost investor confidence
Sri Mulyani Indrawati as head of Indonesia's Ministry of Finance is expected to instil confidence among investors.
Biden offers both a carrot and a stick to Israel as his term nears an end
Israel has frequently resisted US advice and has caused political difficulties for the Biden administration.
Putin says BRICS will generate most of global economic growth
Russian President Vladimir Putin will host a summit of the group in the city of Kazan on Oct. 22-24.
ISIS Malaysia's perspective of Budget 2025
An excellent rakyat-centric budget under the overarching principle of a caring and humane economy.
Budget 2025: Record increase in STR, SARA aid initiatives
The government will provide a significant boost to the Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) and Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) initiatives next year.
Budget 2025: EPF contributions to be made mandatory for foreign workers – PM Anwar
The government plans to make it compulsory for all non-citizen workers to contribute to the Employees Provident Fund (EPF).
What policies to expect from Indonesia's new President Prabowo
Prabowo will be open to foreign investment, his aide has said, such as by offering investors management of airports and sea ports.
Budget 2025: Govt allocates RM470 mil to empower women's participation in PMKS
The Women's Leadership Apprenticeship Program will be intensified as an effort to produce more female corporate personalities.
Israel sends more troops into north Gaza, deepens raid
Residents of Jabalia in northern Gaza said Israeli tanks had reached the heart of the camp, using heavy air and ground fire.
Indonesia ramps up security ahead of Prabowo's inauguration
Prabowo Subianto will be sworn in as Indonesia's president on Sunday with Vice President-elect, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, also taking office.
Immediate allocation of RM150 mil for local authorities, DID to tackle flash floods
Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said this allocation is intended to address the recent flash floods that hit the capital and several major towns.
Budget 2025: Sabah, Sarawak to continue receiving among highest allocations - PM
Sabah and Sarawak continues to be prioritised under Budget 2025, with allocations of RM6.7 billion and RM5.9 billion respectively.
NFOF will be operational in November 2024 with funding of RM1 bil
PM Anwar Ibrahim said NFOF will support venture capital fund managers to invest in startup companies with RM300 million set aside for 2025.