NILAI: Harimau Malaya coach, Tan Cheng Hoe will need to find the best possible formula to solve problems upfront in attack, after finding out earlier today (Tuesday) that he will have to do without the valuable services of veteran forward Norshahrul Idlan Talaha.
The 32 year old Pahang striker has asked to be excluded because he has family matters to see to and therefore cannot be part of the 22 man squad that heads off to Taiwan tomorrow (Wednesday) for a an
Norshahrul’s absence means that Cheng Hoe has lost five players so far, two of whom being forwards in Safawi Rashid and Syafiq Ahmad from Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT).
“All was initially fine, but then Norshahrul asked for permission to be excluded because of urgent family matters, so we had to respect his request and we released him.
“I can’t give any excuses, so I will just have to find the right formula or rather the best possible formation and tactics for the friendly matches against Taiwan and Cambodia over the next couple of days. I am certain that the players who will take to the field in these two friendly matches will do their best in terms of performing for their country,” he said when met after conducting a training session here earlier today (Tuesday).
Without Norshahrul, Cheng Hoe now only has Zaquan Adha Abd Radzak, Shahrel Fikri Md Fauzi, Akhyar Rashid and R Kogileswaran to choose from to fill the attacking slots upfront.
The friendly match against Taiwan will be Cheng Hoe’s fifth match in charge of Harimau Malaya, and it is part of preparations for the upcoming AFF Cup competition.
In Malaysia’s last match against Fiji in Cheras on July 5, the national side put an end to their windless drought when they won 1-0.
“Taiwan will be tough opponents as they have shown vast improvements over the last two to three years, especially when they’re playing at home, and they have yet to lose on home turf, so we will be up against difficult opponents come Friday. I have faith in our group of players and they will play to perform, while I try to find the best combination and formula that works for our team,” he said.