We can win the AFF Suzuki Cup, says Malaysia captain Zaquan Adha
Hanoi: Malaysia captain Zaquan Adha has declared that he’s not worried about the threat that Group A favourites Vietnam pose at home tomorrow and that the Harimau Malaya’s unity sees them ready to pull off an upset in Hanoi.
In front of what’s expected to be an intimidating, sold-out, crowd at the My Dinh National Stadium, the experienced midfielder says it’s important for Malaysia to only focus on the elements that they can control.
“There’s only one key and that’s whatever way Vietnam play doesn’t matter because our coach told us that if we play together as a team we can beat any other nation.
“Whatever tactical approach Vietnam will bring we know we can win if we stay focused and play together as a team.”
More than just being able to collect the win that would all but secure their passage through to the knockout stage, Zaquan is confident that Malaysia can go all the way and confound the critics who have pegged Thailand and Vietnam as the tournament favourites.
“Of course, I’ve heard people saying that only Thailand and Vietnam are the teams that can be champion but in football anything can happen.
“If you look at the World Cup many people expected Brazil to be the champion and that didn’t happen so people can have their opinions but like I said in football anything can happen and if we play together then nothing is impossible and Malaysia can be the champion again at the AFF Suzuki Cup.”
It’s that theme of unity that the Malaysian leader kept returning to as he looks to guide his nation to a win against a Vietnamese side that have the advantage of both being at home and also having close to an extra week’s rest after their opening match with Laos.
“If we look at the first two matches we have six points and of course we know that the match with Vietnam is not easy because they’re a good team but we must play our game.
“We are away from home so we must focus and give 100% and if we that then I’m hopeful we can get a positive result - either a draw or a win – and that would be a good result for us in terms of moving towards the second round.”
