KUALA LUMPUR: If Tan Cheng Hoe is to become the first national coach in 14 years to win his opening match in charge, he will have to restore the confidence of the national players quickly.
After the national team went 10 matches without a win since November 2016, confidence is low in the national camp and Cheng Hoe faces a tough task to turn the mood around.
The new national coach, appointed to the job after Nelo Vingada quit early this month with a record of just one draw in seven matches, is in the midst of arranging international matches for Malaysia ahead of the AFF Cup in late 2018.
First up is the final Asian Cup Group B qualifier against Lebanon on Mar 27 but Cheng Hoe is hoping to squeeze a game in before leaving for Beirut.
"Yes it would be good to get a test match against anyone before we play Lebanon," said Cheng Hoe.
"So far we have not identified any opponents yet but we are planning to have a few games next year."
Besides March, the other international Fifa dates next year are in June, September, October and November.
The AFF Cup, with a new home-and-away format in the group stage, begins on Nov 8 but Cheng Hoe declined to set a specific target for the tournament.
"The AFF Cup is my main assignment but I don't have any target yet," said Cheng Hoe, who was K.Rajagobal's assistant when Malaysia lifted the trophy in 2010.
"The important thing now is to get the confidence back among the players. The first match we play will be important which is why I am trying to find a suitable opponent before we play Lebanon."
That would give Cheng Hoe the opportunity to become the first national coach since Hungarian Bertalan Bisckei in 2004 to win his first international match in charge.
The new format for the AFF Cup, which is being expanded to 10 teams, sees teams play two home and two away games during the group stage.
"I think that could work to our advantage given the strong support of our own fans," said Cheng Hoe. "I'm sure they will want to come to watch and it's good opportunity for us to play on home soil."