Pau Marti Vicente, head coach of Malaysia national team wants their team to remain focused ahead of the fourth match of the ASEAN Mitsubishi Electric Cup 2024 Group Stage, Group A against Singapore.
Singapore enters the match with a two-point advantage over Malaysia. A draw would suffice for Singapore to progress to the semifinals, putting the pressure squarely on Malaysia, who must secure a victory to advance.
“It was a tough match, and I expect it will be difficult for us to get a big win. But what is important is that we need to get a win. Singapore has the advantage because one point is enough for them to qualify. We need to take risks and give everything,” Vicente said.
Vicente remains optimistic, emphasizing the importance of home support in lifting the team to victory.
“We are looking forward to tomorrow’s match and hope that the presence of supporters can help us in our mission to the semifinals of the 2024 AFF Cup.”
Malaysia faces a selection headache, with several players forced to return to their clubs for domestic commitments. Vicente revealed that this has disrupted their preparations, with the team only managing one full training session with all players.
“We have lost players during this period, so we can only have one training session with all the players present. We need to consider the status of the players and then decide on the best lineup. But we will field a line of players who can compete and win,” he assured.
Despite these obstacles, the Spanish manager is committed to deploying the best possible squad, aiming to replicate the solid performances that Malaysia has showcased in the tournament so far.
With everything to play for, the match promises an intense battle. While Singapore will aim to leverage their advantage and secure at least a draw, Malaysia’s determination to take risks and push for a win will likely make this a thrilling encounter.
Credit Photo : FAM