Malaysia captain Dion Cools struck an optimistic and appreciative tone at the FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026 pre-match press conference in Jakarta today, expressing genuine excitement about leading Harimau Malaya into the inaugural edition of the regional championship as the squad prepares to face Bangladesh in tomorrow’s tournament opener.
Opening his remarks to assembled media, Cools underscored the significance of Malaysia’s participation in football’s newest regional showcase. “We are very pleased to be here and to participate in the first edition of the FIFA ASEAN Cup. Definitely we are very excited to participate in this first edition,” the defender stated, adding that the squad hopes for a strong outing as they enter unfamiliar tournament territory.
Addressing preparation concerns amid the tight scheduling window, Cools reassured fans that despite limited training time, the squad has arrived in good physical condition. “Preparation has gone well. It’s a short turnaround, so very few trainings, but the team is ready. Players are fit, so we are ready to go for tomorrow,” he explained, striking a confident note ahead of the opening fixture.
When discussion turned to the broader significance of Southeast Asia finally hosting a unified regional championship, Cools praised FIFA’s execution of the inaugural event. “Obviously, it’s always special to play a regional tournament. I think for a tournament, you always want to have all the best squads available, so I think FIFA did a good job for organizing the tournament as well. Everything has been organized very well,” he remarked.
The Malaysian skipper also revealed the squad’s final preparations remain ongoing, with one more training session scheduled before kickoff. “I’m looking forward to, first of all, play tomorrow in the stadium. Tonight we will have our last session. I’m looking forward to this tournament, and hopefully we can achieve something good for our country, Malaysia.”
In a notable admission, Cools revealed he has not yet visited the iconic Gelora Bung Karno Stadium despite the tournament opener looming just a day away. “I haven’t seen it yet, so I think tomorrow will be my first time having a look around in the stadium,” he said, expressing anticipation rather than concern. “I will be excited.”
The captain’s composed, measured demeanor throughout the press conference reflected a leader focused on the task at hand, balancing genuine enthusiasm for the historic occasion with the professional discipline required to navigate a demanding opening assignment against Bangladesh.
Credit Photo : FAM
