Malaysia head coach Tan Cheng Hoe has called on his players to remain fully focused and avoid complacency as Harimau Malaya prepare to face Laos in their second Group B fixture of the ASEAN Hyundai Cup 2026, despite opening the tournament with an impressive comeback victory over Myanmar.
Speaking at the pre-match press conference alongside striker Syafiq Ahmad, Cheng Hoe stressed that Malaysia’s dramatic 2-1 win in Yangon was only the beginning of a much longer journey.
“We are very happy to collect the three points in Myanmar because that was the first hurdle we had to overcome,” Cheng Hoe said.
“But we still have several difficult matches ahead. We hope the players remain in good condition, stay mentally ready, and continue our positive momentum against Laos.”
Although Laos suffered a heavy defeat to Thailand in their opening match, Cheng Hoe insisted the result does not reflect the quality or determination of their next opponents.
After carefully analysing Laos’ performance, the Malaysian coach believes the youthful squad possesses enough energy and motivation to cause problems.
“We cannot underestimate Laos just because they lost to Thailand,” he explained.
“They are a young team with a new coach, and every team enters a tournament wanting to bounce back after defeat. We must respect them because they will come into this match highly motivated.”
He also revealed that Malaysia’s coaching staff will assess player fitness before deciding whether to rotate the squad following the physically demanding opener in Myanmar.
“We have to evaluate the players’ physical condition before deciding whether to keep the same lineup or make changes.”
One of the biggest positives for Cheng Hoe has been the atmosphere inside the Malaysian camp since players assembled for centralised training two weeks ago.
The experienced tactician praised the chemistry developing between senior internationals and younger players, many of whom are still adapting to international football.
“The atmosphere has been fantastic,” he said.
“We have a unique squad with experienced players, young players and several uncapped players coming together.”
“It hasn’t been easy because many of them have never played together before, especially with the domestic league still in its pre-season phase.”
Despite the limited preparation time, Cheng Hoe believes the experienced members of the squad have played a crucial role in helping the younger generation settle into the national team environment.
“The senior players have done an excellent job guiding the younger boys. That unity helped us respond after a difficult first half against Myanmar.”
While praising the fighting spirit shown during Malaysia’s comeback victory, Cheng Hoe warned that determination alone will not be enough as the tournament progresses.
“Spirit alone is not enough in football,” he said.
“You also need intelligence, composure and good decision-making to manage the match.”
“Our experienced players understand how to control the tempo, and when the opportunities came against Myanmar, we were clinical enough to convert them into goals.”
Cheng Hoe also reaffirmed his commitment to developing Malaysia’s next generation of talent.
He encouraged the younger members of the squad to play without fear whenever opportunities arise.
“As coaches, we have to give them confidence and make them believe they belong here,” he explained.
“They need international matches like this to gain valuable experience for the future.”
“Whenever they get the opportunity, they must prove themselves. If they believe in themselves and perform consistently in training, they can become important players for Malaysia.”
Looking ahead to Tuesday’s clash, Cheng Hoe identified Laos’ pace and transition play as key dangers that Malaysia must neutralise.
“They are a hardworking team that likes to attack quickly after winning possession,” he said.
“We cannot afford to lose the ball unnecessarily in our own half. At the same time, we must be clinical whenever we create chances.”
Malaysia head into the fixture seeking a second consecutive victory that would strengthen their grip on a place in the knockout stage and maintain their perfect start to the ASEAN Hyundai Cup 2026.
After showing resilience to overturn Myanmar in the opening match, Harimau Malaya now face another important test—one their head coach insists will require maximum concentration from the first whistle to the last.
Credit Photo : FAM
