Kuala lumpur: Harimau Malaya have been advised not to use the absence of several key players as an excuse when they meet defending champions Vietnam in the first leg of the ASEAN Cup 2026 semi-final at the Kuala Lumpur Football Stadium in Cheras tomorrow. Interim head coach Tan Cheng Hoe has instead encouraged his team to maintain focus, enjoy the occasion, and play confidently against Kim Sang Sik's formidable squad.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Cheng Hoe stressed the importance of teamwork and resilience, urging the squad to capitalize on reaching the semi-final stage. Despite the challenge posed by Vietnam, known for their strong record and attacking prowess, Cheng Hoe believes Malaysia should concentrate on their own performance rather than worrying excessively about their opponents.
Several key players, including Endrick Dos Santos, Jimmy Raymond, Aliff Haiqal Lokman Hakim Lau, and Engku Shakir Engku Yacob, will miss the match due to injuries, while Wan Kuzain Wan Ahmad Kamal has returned to his club in the United States, Sporting Jax. Despite these absences, Cheng Hoe remains optimistic, drawing inspiration from Cape Verde's remarkable performance at the FIFA World Cup 2026 to illustrate how football can yield surprising outcomes.
Cheng Hoe also called for robust support from Malaysian fans, emphasizing the importance of a strong home crowd presence for the crucial encounter. However, ticket sales have reportedly been sluggish, with fans expressing dissatisfaction over a significant increase in ticket prices compared to earlier group-stage matches. The Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) announced that open category tickets for adults now cost RM50, up from RM30, with grandstand and VIP tickets priced at RM70 and RM100 respectively.
Meanwhile, Malaysian defender Ubaidullah Shamsul Fazili described the semi-final matchup as potentially more significant than the final itself, expressing determination to achieve a positive result to carry into the second leg in Hanoi. Acknowledging Vietnam as the tournament favorite, Ubaidullah emphasized the team's underdog status and their aspiration to reach the final, highlighting the importance of at least securing a draw in the home leg.