Malaysia's Head Coach optimistic despite risk of a 0-3 loss to Vietnam

Head Coach Peter Cklamovski calls on supporters to maintain their faith and vows that Malaysia will qualify for the Asian Cup on Vietnamese soil.

Head Coach Peter Cklamovski of the Malaysia national team encourages fans not to give up and to keep supporting Malaysia's quest for the AFC Asian Cup. He shared this message in a recent interview with journalist Zulhelmi Zainal Azam from Astro Arena.

According to Cklamovski, the door to progress for Malaysia is still wide open, even though the team must play away in Vietnam in the final Group F match on March 31. He hopes Malaysian fans will continue to provide support so the team can achieve its goal.

“Keep dreaming about the Asian Cup. We must go to Vietnam as a national team, complete our mission, and finish the group stage in first place. That is our current objective. It is what we are striving for. And it is the realistic picture we see today,” emphasized Coach Cklamovski.

At present, Malaysia leads Group F with 15 points, ahead of the Vietnam national team by 3 points. In the final match, Malaysia will be the visitor against the "Golden Star Warriors" at Thien Truong Stadium on March 31.

However, everything could change depending on the decision of the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). If CAS rejects the appeal of the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) regarding seven illegally naturalized players, they risk sanctions from the Asian Football Confederation (AFC).

Previously, FAM was fined by FIFA and had the results of three international friendlies last year annulled due to using illegally naturalized players. Cape Verde, Singapore, and Palestine were all awarded 3-0 wins.

If CAS dismisses FAM’s appeal, it is likely AFC will follow FIFA’s example. Malaysia could be handed 0-3 losses against Nepal and Vietnam for fielding illegal naturalized players in those matches, which would turn the Group F standings upside down.

Malaysia could lose 6 points and drop to second place with 9 points, trailing Vietnam by 6 points. At that point, coach Kim Sang-sik’s team would gain 3 points from a forfeit win over Malaysia, reaching 15 points. This is the bleak scenario Malaysia wants to avoid at all costs.

But regardless of what the future holds, Coach Cklamovski calls on both players and Malaysian fans to approach the match against Vietnam with the highest determination and confidence. The game at Thien Truong Stadium will not only decide qualification but also test Malaysia’s resilience, faith, and ambition during this turbulent period.