Do-or-die mission for Malaysia: Tan

Tan Cheng Hoe takes charge of his 40th match as Malaysia coach tonight and the stakes could not be higher, as his side face a win-or-go-home game against Indonesia.

The Indonesians and AFF Suzuki Cup defending champions Vietnam lead Group B on seven points after three games with Malaysia, runners-up three years ago, on six points.

Vietnam are expected to make easy work of the Cambodians in the other match and go through to the last four, leaving Indonesia and Malaysia to slug it out at the National Stadium for the other semi-final spot.

Tan, 53, acknowledged the upcoming game was his most important one as Harimau Malaya coach.

He added: "Every match is important for us but tomorrow is a deciding game.

"It's a do-or-die mission. We are going into it with a positive mindset that we can get a good result against Indonesia."

His personal record against today's opponents will give him confidence.

Under Tan, Malaysia have won both their games against Indonesia - with the 2-0 and 3-2 victories coming in 2019 during the 2022 World Cup qualifiers.

But Indonesia have a much changed team since then, with Shin Tae-yong replacing Simon McMenemy as coach. The South Korean has also called up a much younger squad for the Asean Football Federation Championship.

The availability of Dion Cools, who plays for Danish club FC Midtjylland and has featured in the Champions League, will be a boost for Tan.

Cools is arguably Malaysia's best player and the defender will be thrust into the starting line-up, with usual centre-back pairing Aidil Zafuan Radzak and Shahrul Saad nursing injuries.

Tan said: "Dion will add stability to the whole team and he's an important player for us.

"The players will be more confident as well and we need everyone to be ready."

He is also counting on the vocal support of Singapore-based Malaysian fans.

Clad in their yellow and black jerseys and singing Negaraku proudly, the supporters have been in full voice at all three group games at the Bishan Stadium, where attendance is capped at 1,000.

Many more will be expected to show up at the National Stadium, which can admit up to 10,000 fans.

Tan noted: "I've told the players that we have to repay these fans by giving them a good result. We know that many of them have been here through the pandemic and we want to give them something to cheer about."

Given Indonesia need only a point to progress, many are expecting Shin's side to again employ the defensive tactics that clinched a goalless draw against Vietnam on Wednesday.

The Garudas frustrated their opponents with a back five, a sharp change from the all-out attack line-ups in their 4-2 and 5-1 wins over Cambodia and Laos respectively.

Shin said: "We are preparing calmly. Vietnam are the best team in the competition and therefore our approach was as you saw. Malaysia have their strengths and weaknesses, and we have done our analysis. We have our game plan."

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MALAYSIA V INDONESIA

VIETNAM V CAMBODIA