Tough encounter: Malaysia’s Paulo Josue (left) tussling with a Timor Leste player during their AFF Cup match. — FAM
PETALING JAYA: National football team head coach Pau Marti Vicente will be facing a tough task ahead of their AFF Cup against Thailand as the Harimau Malaya will be missing a few stripes in the team.
After surviving a 3-2 win against Timor Leste in their Group A game on Wednesday, Vicente will be unable to utilise several players in the squad due to injuries and club duties for their next fixture against Thailand tomorrow at the Rajamangala Stadium in Bangkok.
Darren Lok, Syafiq Ahmad, and Fergus Tierney will not be around due to injuries.
Several players are returning to their respective clubs but the Spanish coach is hoping the players chosen to make up the squad will bring their best game.
“We have at least three players injured,” said Vicente. who is leading the national team for the last time before leaving.
“It is also difficult for the players to focus while on national duty as their clubs have asked them to go back, or report for training camps.
“It’s difficult for the players, but I think they are doing their best in these circumstances. We have four points and we have a chance to go all the way in the tournament.
Coach Pau Marti Vicente. — FAM
“These situations make things difficult, but as a team, we need to keep going. Whoever goes to Thailand, will do their best,” he said.
Malaysia made a comeback to draw 2-2 in their opening group stage match against Cambodia on Sunday.
The match against Timor Leste was a similar ordeal as Malaysia had to crawl their way back after trailing at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil.
“It was tough for us. The final result was good but the lesson we learnt is that we need to fight every moment to get what we want.
“Sometimes things don’t go our way and mentally we lose focus. When you don’t have the clarity of thinking, it can be tough.
“We will recover as we have a bigger challenge ahead against Thailand,” he said.
Vicente added that the results in their previous matches should not reflect what’s to come in Thailand, as the hectic schedule could also play a toll on the players.
“There is no point comparing this performance with the next game because every match is different.
“Mentally and physically, the players are going through a lot. Five games in 12 days is not easy, but we will recover and stick together,” he said.
Malaysia are currently leading Group A with four points, ahead of defending champions Thailand with three points, equal with Singapore in third, both with a game in hand.
Cambodia are fourth with a single point while Timor Leste are still in search of their first points in the tournament.
