KUALA LUMPUR — Malaysia head coach Peter Cklamovski has acknowledged the challenge ahead as Harimau Malaya prepare to face Vietnam in a crucial 2027 Asian Cup Group F qualifier on June 10.
The Australian said he holds Vietnam in high regard but believes his side can rewrite history by ending a winless streak that has stretched more than a decade.
“Malaysia hasn’t beaten Vietnam for over 10 years. That’s more than a decade, and this is a moment we want to overturn and change a bit of history,” the 46-year-old told reporters during the national team’s training session in Kuala Lumpur today, which was also attended by Vietnamese media, Bernama reported.
“Full respect to Vietnam. I don’t focus on one player—I focus on the whole team. We look forward to the challenge on June 10.”
Cklamovski also praised Vietnam, now coached by South Korean Kim Sang-sik, as a technically gifted and well-drilled side.
“I’ve watched all of them. They’re a very good team, a strong squad. Full respect to Vietnam—they’re a very good footballing side,” he said.
Both nations sit level at the top of Group F with three points each, having won their opening matches.
Malaysia’s last victory over Vietnam came in 2014. Since then, the Golden Star Warriors have won seven of their eight meetings in all competitions, with one match ending in a draw.
Their most recent encounter was a 3-0 defeat for Malaysia in the 2022 AFF Cup group stage—now renamed the Asean Championship.
Ahead of next week’s qualifier, Malaysia will host Cape Verde, ranked 72nd in the world, in a behind-closed-doors friendly at Bukit Jalil National Stadium tomorrow night.
The two sides drew 1-1 in their earlier Tier 1 international friendly at the Kuala Lumpur Football Stadium in Cheras last Thursday. — June 2, 2025