Many good signs for the Malaysian team
The Malaysian team only controlled the ball 43.1% compared to 56.9% of Cambodia, but had 17 shots (9 on target) and scored 3 goals. Harimau Malaya took a 3-0 lead, before letting the opponent score 1 goal late in the match on the penalty spot.
This is a match in which the Malaysian team implemented a very effective "defense - quick attack" strategy. Young striker Akhyar Rashiad deserves the award for the best player in the match with scoring 1 goal along with a series of other bold and breakthrough dribbles.
Malaysia's options 2 are also effective. Kogileswaran Raj scored 1 goal after coming off the bench, while young striker Luqman Hakim made a much better impression than his senior Guilherme de Paula.
In defense, goalkeeper Khairul Fahmi - in his 6th participation in the AFF Cup - coordinated well with the defenders, entering and exiting appropriately. The late goal was a regrettable goal, but it cannot be denied that the goalkeeper who won the 2010 AFF Cup with Malaysia showed a stable performance.
In general, with a squad lacking many key players and many new faces, the Malaysian team played coordinatedly and effectively.
Worrying about ugliness and image
The Malaysian team came to the AFF Cup 2020 with concerns about the midfield. Junior Eldstal is expected to form an effective shield in front of the defenders. However, this defensive midfielder played slowly, losing the ball a lot and was very slow, when his speed had decreased significantly.
The player was originally targeted by Tan Cheng Hoe to replace Akram Mahinam, a player who was injured before, but initially disappointed him. That was the reason why Tan Cheng How had to withdraw Eldstal and replace him with Mukhairi Ajmal after only 26 minutes.
Up front, naturalized player Guilherme de Paula is trusted to play in the number 9 position. However, this naturalized striker has not done a good job as a wall for the surrounding satellites, as well as moving well to create space. De Paula was substituted in the 56th minute by Luqman Hakim.
It is worth mentioning that after being substituted, this naturalized striker has had a very bad attitude. He angrily played a bottle of water on the field, provoking the fans and putting them in the dressing room, not sitting on the bench for the reserve players.
Coach Tan Cheng Hoe, on the one hand, defended his choice, but he also acknowledged that De Paula was a " problem" he needed to address. "As a coach, I think I will deal with this issue," he said. De Paula has tried his best in training and competition very enthusiastically, sometimes he was disappointed because he could not score. I think he is mature enough to handle all situations."
The 1968-born strategist hopes that De Paula will become a source of motivation and an example for his teammates in the next match against Laos on December 9. If he had scored, this naturalized striker would have relieved a lot of the pressure on himself over the past time.
Previously, fans and Malaysian football experts both thought that De Paula was not in good form and did not deserve to join the Malaysian team for the AFF Cup. But Mr. Tan Cheng Hoe still defends his point of view.
