"We Want to Create Something Special" – Tan Cheng Hoe Plots China Upset

Harimau Malaya interim head coach Tan Cheng Hoe is refusing to back down from the massive challenge awaiting his squad in Zhaoqing, declaring his absolute intent to pull off a major upset against a higher-ranked China Men's National Football Team this Thursday.

Speaking to the media ahead of the highly anticipated Tier 1 International Friendly, the seasoned tactician admitted the clear gap in quality but insisted his reshuffled squad is traveling with a winning mentality.

"We know China sits at a much better ranking than our national team, but as a coach, we want to secure positive results," Tan stated firmly. "Every coach wants to win every game, and we want to create something special against China. We know the difference in strength, but I expect the players to deliver their absolute best performance."

China will enter the match completely desperate to snap a miserable three-game losing streak. However, Tan sternly warned his players against complacency, pointing out that Chinese head coach Shao Jiayi has executed a ruthless squad overhaul to stop the bleeding.

"We know they lost their last three matches, but this time their coach has made massive changes—bringing in around 16 player swaps," Tan noted. "They have brought in more internationally experienced players alongside many new faces. It won't be easy to get a result because, despite their losing streak, they possess their own formidable strength."

With a severely depleted Harimau Malaya roster due to injuries and club commitments, the spotlight has heavily shifted to the new call-ups. Tan confirmed that highly anticipated debutant Richard Chin is currently under the tactical microscope in training and is poised to feature in the attacking third.

"The coaching staff is still evaluating Richard Chin's performance in training. We will give him the opportunity to play in the attack, but we hope he can adapt to our tactical atmosphere as quickly as possible since this is his first time with the team," Tan explained. "We know his capabilities, and we are taking these two or three days to fully assess him."

Fellow debutant Haziq Kutty is also in line to earn his first senior international cap. Tan emphasized that the upcoming fixtures against China and Yemen are critical preparation grounds for the future, guaranteeing that the entire traveling squad will be heavily utilized.

"It is Haziq Kutty’s first time with the national team, but it is not just him—we will give opportunities to all the players we brought," Tan assured. "We have two vital friendlies to face, and this serves as crucial preparation for the team as a whole."

Credit Photo : FAM