SINGAPORE - Tan Cheng Hoe takes charge of his 40th match as Malaysia head coach on Sunday (Dec 19) and the stakes could not be higher as his side face a win or go home game against Indonesia.
The Indonesians and 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 Sunday's opponents will give him confidence. Under Tan, Malaysia have won both their games against Indonesia - 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 head coach. The South Korean has also called up a much younger squad for the AFF 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 the 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 hold 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 only need a point to progress, many are expecting Shin's side to employ similar defensive tactics that clinched a goalless draw against Vietnam on Wednesday.
The Garuda frustrated their opponents with a back five, a sharp change from the all-out attack lineups 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."
