Jakarta:Malaysia's national football team demonstrated a solid foundation during the 2026 FIFA ASEAN Cup in Indonesia, showcasing a strong defensive performance despite not advancing to the final.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Harimau Malaya ended the tournament with an impressive record of three wins, one draw, 10 goals scored, and none conceded across their four matches. This made them the only team to finish unbeaten and with a clean sheet.

Under interim head coach Tan Cheng Hoe, Malaysia began their Group A campaign with a 3-0 victory over Bangladesh at Gelora Bung Karno (GBK) Stadium, followed by a goalless draw against hosts Indonesia. They then achieved a significant 6-0 win against Singapore at Si Jalak Harupat Stadium, marking their biggest victory over their rivals since 1978.

Despite these results, Malaysia was unable to advance to the final. Both Malaysia and Indonesia concluded the group stage with seven points and a goal difference of plus-nine. However, Indonesia secured the top spot by scoring more total goals, 11 compared to Malaysia's nine.

A key moment was the draw against Indonesia, where Malaysia failed to capitalize on a numerical advantage after their opponents were reduced to 10 men. This left Malaysia reliant on other match outcomes on the final day of the group stage.

In the third-place play-off, Malaysia defeated Vietnam 1-0, with substitute Fergus Tierney scoring the decisive goal. This victory ended a 12-year winless streak against Vietnam and highlighted the team's defensive strength, led by goalkeeper Ahmad Syihan Hazmi and captain Dion Cools.

The tournament provided vital experience for Malaysia, allowing them to assess squad depth and tactical cohesion. The event also fostered regional rivalry and offered exposure for Southeast Asian teams in high-stakes matches, contributing to the growth of regional football.

Indonesia won the inaugural FIFA ASEAN Cup, defeating Thailand 4-2 on penalties after a 2-2 draw in the final at GBK Stadium.