MALAYSIA'S ASEAN CUP CAMPAIGN TESTED BY INJURIES, CLUB INTERFERENCE

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 12 (Bernama) -- Malaysia's outgoing head coach Pau Marti Vicente expressed disappointment over the issues faced by his squad at the start of their 2024 ASEAN Cup campaign, which saw Harimau Malaya struggled to secure a 3-2 victory against Timor-Leste at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil, last night.

Besides almost certainly losing three forwards - Darren Lok, Muhammad Syafiq Ahmad, and Fergus Tierney - to injuries, the Spaniard revealed that "interference" from clubs posed another challenge, as they prepared for the third Group A match against defending champions Thailand in Bangkok this Saturday.

"We have at least three players injured...I think it is also difficult for players how to focus in national team tournaments when clubs are asking them to go back, report late (for training camp), very difficult for players, I think they are doing their best in these circumstances.

"We need to see the reality at the moment, we have two games in the tournament, we have four points, we are top of the group and still have the chance to go all the way. It is not the best situation, whoever goes to Thailand I'm sure they will try their best to get something there," he told a post-match press conference here, last night.

Previously, Mohamed Syamer Kutty Abba and Muhammad Adib Abdul Ra’op, who were part of the squad that drew 2-2 with Cambodia in Phnom Penh last Sunday, returned to play for Penang FC in their 4-0 victory over PT Athletic FC in the first leg of the 2024/2025 Challenge Cup quarterfinals on Tuesday (Dec 10).

Both players have rejoined the national team but were not fielded against Timor-Leste, however, rumours are swirling that Malaysia may lose several more players reportedly recalled by their clubs ahead of the critical match in Bangkok.

Earlier, Declan Lambert and goalkeeper Kalamullah Al-Hafiz Mat Rowi only joined the national team after the match against Cambodia due to commitments with their respective clubs.

When asked how many players are travelling with the team to Bangkok this morning, Vicente declined to reveal the information, while remaining committed to fielding the best squad.

Malaysia, the 2010 champions, have registered a total of 26 players for this campaign.

Malaysia currently lead Group A with four points, one ahead of defending champions Thailand and Singapore, who are second and third, respectively, with a game in hand.

Cambodia sit on the fourth spot with one point, while Timor-Leste remain at the bottom without a single point after two matches.

-- BERNAMA