KUALA LUMPUR — Interim Harimau Malaya coach Tan Cheng Hoe has urged fans to temper expectations ahead of the 2026 Hyundai Asean Cup, admitting that assembling a largely inexperienced squad with just 10 days of preparation presents a far greater challenge than the campaign that took Malaysia to the 2018 final.
Speaking to Scoop, Cheng Hoe said the limited preparation time means Malaysia must be realistic about its ambitions, although he remains confident the team can still produce a respectable showing.
The 57-year-old said his current task is vastly different from eight years ago, when he had considerably more time to build the squad and establish a clear playing identity.
“If we compare it to 2018, the challenge is very different because I had a much longer period to prepare the team back then. This time, many of the players are still relatively inexperienced at the international level.
“With the limited time available, we have to be realistic. Our target is to build a competitive team and deliver a respectable performance in this edition of the tournament.
“I can see the players have the desire to achieve something, and that gives us encouragement,” he said.
Cheng Hoe said the biggest challenge will be developing understanding and cohesion within the squad, especially with several clubs unable to release all of their players for the centralised training camp.
“The most important things in football are understanding and team spirit. Those elements are crucial if a team wants to reach a higher level.
“Several clubs could not release their players, so that is another challenge we have to manage. Nevertheless, I remain positive about the players currently available,” he said.
He added that the coaching staff will place strong emphasis on fitness, tactical organisation and establishing the team’s playing structure during the brief preparation period.
“We only have around nine or 10 days before the tournament begins, and that makes it a major challenge. The coaching staff will work intensively to ensure the players can gel as quickly as possible.
“Many of them have only just begun pre-season training with their clubs, so they are not yet at peak fitness. We will monitor their condition daily while also emphasising tactical discipline and our overall structure.
“What is equally important is that every player arrives with the right focus, the desire to compete and the determination to give their best for the national team,” he said.
Malaysia begin their Group B campaign against Myanmar in Yangon on July 25 before hosting Laos at the Kuala Lumpur Football Stadium in Cheras three days later.
Harimau Malaya will then travel to Bangkok to face Thailand on Aug 1 before concluding the group stage against the Philippines in Cheras on Aug 8. – July 16, 2026