Cheng Hoe confident in De Paula's maturity to handle pressure

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 7 -- National football coach Tan Cheng Hoe believes that naturalised national player Guilherme De Paula is matured enough to handle the pressure on and off the football pitch.

Cheng Hoe expressed his hopes that the Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) player would set the best example possible for his Harimau Malaya teammates based on his age and extensive experience.

“As a coach, I think I will handle this matter. Of course, he (de Paula) already gave his best in training and is very committed, sometimes due to frustration that he can’t score a goal. I’m sure he is mature enough to handle the situation.

“I hope he can (be a source of) motivation to (the) team and set a good example for them. I’m sure he is ready for the next game,” Cheng Hoe said at a press conference after Malaysia’s Group B opening match of the 2020 ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) Cup championship against Cambodia today.

Malaysia took home all three points after beating the Angkor Warriors 3-1, courtesy of Muhammad Safawi Rasid’s penalty and a goal each from Muhammad Akhyar Abdul Rashid and M. Kogileswaran.

Cheng Hoe’s men were unable to keep a clean sheet after Cambodia was awarded a penalty at the end of the match, which was converted by Sath Rosib.

An international media outlet (ESPN), however, reported that De Paula reacted in an unsportsmanlike manner after he was substituted by young striker Luqman Hakim Shamsudin during the second half of the match.

According to the report, the 35-year-old allegedly kicked a water bottle outside the pitch following his substitution and then glared at spectators when they applauded him before throwing a water bottle at the national team’s reserves’ bench and storming off to the changing room.

Malaysia is scheduled to meet Laos on Thursday before facing defending champions Vietnam (Dec 12) and Indonesia during their last Group B match this Dec 19.

-- BERNAMA