Malaysia's clean sheets offer hope after ASEAN Cup final miss

Malaysia thrashed Singapore 6-0 in Bandung but missed out on the Fifa Asean Cup 2026 final after Indonesia finished top of Group A Division 1 on goals scored. Interim national head coach Tan Cheng Hoe said Harimau Malaya’s performances across their three group matches remained a positive sign despite the disappointment.

The win at Si Jalak Harupat Stadium was not enough because Indonesia beat Bangladesh 9-2 at Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in Jakarta. Both teams ended the group campaign with seven points and the same goal difference, but Indonesia had scored 11 goals to Malaysia’s nine.

Unbeaten, but out of the final

Malaysia opened with a 3-0 win over Bangladesh before drawing 0-0 with hosts Indonesia. Their victory over Singapore completed a group campaign of two wins, one draw and three clean sheets, with nine goals scored and none conceded.

Those results left Malaysia level with Indonesia on points and goal difference, making the number of goals scored decisive. Despite putting six past Singapore in their final group match, Malaysia finished two goals behind Indonesia on that measure and will instead play for third place.

Cheng Hoe points to performances

Cheng Hoe acknowledged that his players had to accept missing the final, but said their results over the three matches should not be overlooked. “I think we have to accept the fact that we did not qualify for the final. But the important thing is that we played very well in the last three matches,” he said at a post-match press conference.

“We were able to maintain clean sheets and also score so many goals. I think that is a good sign for the national team,” he added. Cheng Hoe said Malaysia needed to keep building confidence and understanding among the players while remaining focused on the challenges ahead.

Third-place playoff comes next

Malaysia will face the Group B runners-up in the third-place playoff at Gelora Bung Karno Stadium next Monday. Indonesia, who advanced as Group A champions, will meet Thailand in the final at the same venue that day.

Cheng Hoe said the team must move forward after missing out on the final. “We need to continue our journey. We have to focus on the future and move forward. We are confident in the team’s ability for the upcoming matches. We also want a positive result for the team,” he said.