Malaysia’s ASEAN Cup Campaign Ends in Disappointment
KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 20 (Bernama) — Malaysia’s outgoing head coach Pau Marti Vicente believes his team deserved a better result after failing to reach the semi-finals of the 2024 ASEAN Cup following a goalless draw against Singapore in their final Group A match at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil here tonight.
Disappointment and Gratitude
The 41-year-old Spaniard admitted it was a disappointing way to end the campaign, which saw the Harimau Malaya finish third in the group behind leaders Thailand and Singapore. "It’s difficult to express (feelings). Of course, I’m sad to finish like this. I believe we deserved more tonight, and in terms of the game, we couldn’t have done much more to secure a win," he said.
At the same time, Vicente expressed his gratitude for the support from the people, who have shown respect for the players’ efforts over the last two weeks. "Even in tough situations we could stay together and with the supporters in Bukit Jalil, I think this is a positive for Malaysian football," he said.
Outgoing Head Coach’s Final Match
The disappointment in Malaysia marked Vicente’s final match with the national team since his appointment in January 2022, after he announced he would leave the team as soon as the ASEAN Cup campaign concluded. Vicente was also part of the team that made history by qualifying for the 2023 Asian Cup in Qatar earlier this year. He was appointed as interim coach following the sudden resignation of former head coach Kim Pan Gon in July.
During his short tenure as interim head coach, Vicente led Malaysia to win the 2024 Merdeka Tournament here in September.
Singapore’s Head Coach’s Views
Meanwhile, Singapore’s head coach Tsutomu Ogura said although his squad managed to advance to the semi-finals, they did not perform particularly well tonight. "I’m very proud of the defenders. Today is like a good result for Singapore football history. I told the players that maybe we are changing history," he said.
Group Standings and Upcoming Matches
In another final Group A match, Thailand defeated Cambodia 3-2 in Bangkok to confirm their status as group champions with 12 points, followed by Singapore (7), Malaysia (5), Cambodia (4), and Timor-Leste at the bottom with no points. Thailand will face the runners-up of Group B in the semi-finals, while Singapore will take on the group champions. Malaysia, the 2010 champions, reached the semi-finals in the previous edition.
Conclusion
Malaysia’s ASEAN Cup campaign ended in disappointment, but the team can take pride in their efforts and the support they received from the fans. As the team looks to rebuild and move forward, they will be inspired by the words of outgoing head coach Pau Marti Vicente, who expressed his gratitude for the support and praised the team’s efforts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What were the results of the final Group A matches?
A: Thailand defeated Cambodia 3-2, while Malaysia and Singapore played out a goalless draw.
Q: How did Malaysia’s head coach Pau Marti Vicente react to the team’s performance?
A: He expressed disappointment and gratitude, praising the team’s efforts and the support from the fans.
Q: What are the implications of the results for Malaysia’s ASEAN Cup campaign?
A: Malaysia failed to reach the semi-finals, finishing third in the group behind leaders Thailand and Singapore.
Q: What are the upcoming matches for Thailand and Singapore?
A: Thailand will face the runners-up of Group B in the semi-finals, while Singapore will take on the group champions.
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