The Malaysia - Laos match takes place at 4:30 p.m. on December 9. In the opening match, Harimau Malaya beat Cambodia 3-1, while Laos lost 0-2 to Vietnam. In terms of strength, form and head-to-head record, the Malaysian team is rated much higher than the Lao team. In the meeting at the AFF Cup 2018, Mr. Tan Cheng Hoe's team beat the Laos team 3-1.
This score can easily be repeated in this afternoon's match. The Malaysian team had an excellent performance in the opening match with quick attacks, breakthroughs from wingers with good speed and technique. They also maintained their focus in defense, only conceding 1 goal in the last minute on the penalty spot.
On the contrary, the Laos team played very hard in the context of many obstacles in preparation. Coach V.Selvaraj emphasized that the Laos team gathered 3 different groups of players and they were only present for 4 days before the AFF Cup 2020 kicked off. In addition, the group of players competing locally will only have 3 matches in the 3 years of 2021.
Billy Ketkeophomphone - a striker currently playing in France's Ligue-2 - has created an influence for the Laos team, but "a single wing cannot make a spring", because his level with his teammates around him is too great. Football is a collective sport, Billy, no matter how well he plays, will find it difficult to help the Laos team cause a surprise against Malaysia.
"The result against Cambodia was a favorable start for us and a good motivation for the players, but we knew it would be a tough match against a Laos team that played impressively in their first match, especially with the participation of striker Billy Ketkeophomphone.
Unfortunately, the Malaysian team still does not have players who have been isolated, we hope to have them back soon even though that is beyond the team's control. Therefore, we have to put faith in the current force," said coach Tan Cheng Hoe.
The match against Laos is an opportunity for Mr. Tan Cheng Hoe to rotate the Malaysia squad, testing players in new positions. They want to simultaneously achieve many goals: win the match, get 3 points, preserve their strength to have the best preparation for the match against Vietnam on December 12.
Despite problems with naturalized player Guilherme de Paula, two people infected with COVID-19, the Malaysian team still shows that the team is on the right track. Meeting Laos is a great opportunity to get 3 more points, to put pressure on the Vietnam team in the next match.
Prediction: Malaysia 4-0 Laos
