Pau Marti Vicente, head coach of Malaysia national team expressed his dissatisfaction over an unusual disruption during the national squad’s final training session at the Phnom Penh Olympic Stadium ahead of their ASEAN Mitsubishi Electric Cup 2024 opener against Cambodia.
Malaysia are set to face the host nation tomorrow afternoon, but their preparations were hindered by the presence of drones flying over the field, which the coach described as “disturbing and disappointing.”
Speaking at a press conference, Pau Marti revealed the challenges faced during the team’s practice:
“Yesterday was a long day because we woke up at 5:30 am to come here and adapt to the location. Overall, it was good, and the services provided were satisfactory. The players managed to train, and the pitch surface wasn’t too bad—though, generally, it’s hard to find really good pitch conditions in Southeast Asia.”
However, his tone shifted when addressing the drone incident:
“I don’t think it was the Cambodian team, but there were some drones on the field during our training session. It’s very disturbing. It’s disappointing that we had to deal with such a problem, especially during such a critical preparation phase.”
The disruption comes as Malaysia aims to kick off their AMEC campaign on a strong note. With limited time to adapt to the venue and the conditions, such distractions could potentially impact the team’s focus and strategy.
Despite the setback, Pau Marti remained composed, emphasizing the importance of staying concentrated on the task ahead.
Malaysia’s first test in the tournament is against Cambodia, a team known for their resilience on home soil. The national squad, led by Pau Marti, will be determined to deliver a convincing performance and build momentum in the prestigious regional competition.
As the incident highlights the importance of ensuring uninterrupted preparations, all eyes will now turn to the action on the pitch, where the Harimau Malaya aim to silence distractions and make a statement in Phnom Penh.
Credit Photo : FAM
