Pau Marti Vicente, head coach of Malaysia national team admitted that his team should have been able to achieve victory over Singapore in the final Group A match of the ASEAN Mitsubishi Electric Cup 2024.
Malaysia national team concluded their 2024 ASEAN Mitsubishi Electric Cup campaign with a goalless draw against Singapore in their final Group A match at the Bukit Jalil National Stadium (SNBJ), failing to secure a spot in the semi-finals.
From the first whistle, Malaysia showed their attacking intent, pressing Singapore’s defense and testing goalkeeper Izwan Mahbud, who stood firm between the posts.
Golden opportunities came in the second half through Daniel Ting, Paulo Josue, and Harith Haiqal Adam Afkar, but none of their attempts found the back of the net.
Singapore’s defense held their ground, while Malaysia’s goalkeeper Haziq Nadzli delivered a commendable performance, making crucial saves to deny the Lions’ counterattacks. Despite Malaysia’s dominance in possession and chances, the match ended in a frustrating 0-0 draw, allowing Singapore to progress alongside Thailand from Group A.
In the post-match press conference, Pau Marti Vicente expressed his disappointment but commended his players for their efforts.
“It’s sad to end the campaign like this. The team deserved more tonight. I think in the game, we couldn’t have done more to get the win,” the Spanish coach remarked.
Pau Marti acknowledged the unwavering support from Malaysian fans throughout the tournament, emphasizing their loyalty during both highs and lows.
“They showed respect for the efforts shown by the players over the two weeks. Whenever anyone is in a difficult situation, we stay together. Especially at the end of the match, the fans at Bukit Jalil showed their belief in us. This is something very positive for Malaysian football,” he added.
The match also marked the end of Pau Marti’s tenure as Harimau Malaya head coach. After leading the national squad through an intense campaign, Pau Marti will now pass the torch to Peter Cklamovski, the former head coach of FC Tokyo.
The Australian coach is set to take over on January 1, 2025, bringing fresh ideas and a new vision for the Malaysian national team. He will be joined by Nafuzi Zain, who will assume the role of head coach for Malaysia’s Under-23 squad.
Despite falling short of their semi-final goal, Malaysia displayed moments of promise and resilience under Pau Marti’s leadership. The arrival of Peter Cklamovski and Nafuzi Zain offers hope for the future, as both coaches bring strong credentials and the potential to elevate Malaysian football.
Credit Photo : FAM
