The national team will have to be sharper and more clinical if they hope to record their first win in 37 years over the United Arab Emirates in Tuesday’s Pre-World Cup Group G match in Bukit Jalil.
Fans can expect an exciting match as national coach Tan Cheng Hoe disclosed that his team will not be defensive against their fancied rivals.
For the record, Malaysia have lost eight times, including matches not recognised by Fifa as A international, to the World No 65 since their first meeting in 1980.
“We have to be wary and also take our chances. My defenders cannot afford to switch off during the game,” he said in Bukit Jalil yesterday.
“Against Indonesia, we created a lot of chances in the second half. We did not convert all of them, but we scored when it mattered.
“We will not get many opportunities against the UAE, so we need to be clinical.
“Our defenders must also step up against their attacking players. We have been conceding early goals of late and we cannot afford it to happen on Tuesday.”
Cheng Hoe also does not want to focus on past records ahead of the match.
Malaysia’s only wins over the UAE in 11 meetings were recorded in the 1980 Asian Cup (2-0) and the 1982 Merdeka Tournament (1-0).
“I do not want to talk about the defeats in 2015 (lost 10-0 and 2-1). It was quite sad in 2015 for local football.
“We have to move on and just focus on this match.
“The UAE won their recent friendly matches by huge margins, so it shows that they have quality in attack.
“We will, however, focus on our playing style, and of course, take precautionary measures against their top players,” he said.
Cheng Hoe also said the UAE have a very good coach in Bert van Marwijk, who was appointed in March.
“I believe their playing style will be different from the team that played in the Asian Cup in January,” he added.
Right-back Matthew Davies believes the Harimau Malaya team have the pedigree to get the job done against the Middle East side.
“We have to be positive and optimistic ahead of the match. Being ranked higher, they definitely have a good squad. We do not fear them and we will certainly play for a win.
“Let’s not focus too much on our poor history against the UAE. Our focus should be to create a new history,” said Davies, who was part of the national team who lost 10-0 to the UAE in 2015.