KUALA LUMPUR: Striker Norshahrul Idlan Talaha hopes Malaysia will get to the AFF Cup final, and meet again the team that beat them — Vietnam.
The veteran found it hard to accept the manner of their 2-0 defeat to Vietnam at a 40,000-packed My Dinh National Stadium in Hanoi, on Friday.
Norshahrul and his men had dominated the match with their possession football but it was the Vietnamese who got two goals through counterattacks.
It led to Malaysia suffering their first loss in Group A in the AFF Cup after two wins earlier, against Cambodia (1-0) and Laos (3-1).
Harimau Malaya can still reach the semi-finals if they defeat Myanmar in their final group match at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil on Saturday.
On Friday, Norshahrul was tightly marked by the Vietnamese after he was singled out as Malaysia’s most dangerous player, having scored a brace against Laos and once against Cambodia.
The 32-year-old Pahang forward said: “Looking back on the match, we actually played well. All our players were 100 per cent committed.
“It’s just that our opponents’ style of play allowed them to create two chances that they managed to capitalise on.
“I hope we can take on Vietnam once more, as I’m just not satisfied with the game.
“We want to collect three points against our next opponents Myanmar. God willing. if we can advance to the final and meet Vietnam once more, we will definitely play a much better game.”
Norshahrul, who helped Malaysia emerge as AFF Cup champions back in 2010, is confident that they will be able to overcome Myanmar in their final group match.
“I am optimistic that we will be able to beat Myanmar. Based on current form, I am confident that we can win.”