NATIONAL coach Tan Cheng Hoe does not want to think about the Fifa world rankings.
Instead, he wants to focus on helping Harimau Malaya achieve their goals.
Their immediate target is to qualify for the 2023 Asian Cup. It has been a year since the national team had gathered for centralised training. Malaysia are currently ranked 154th in the world.
Following the year-long layoff, Cheng Hoe hopes his players will be prepared, both mentally and physically, when they are called up for national duty next year.
"Coaches would love to have training camps and games because it is their job and responsibility to ensure their respective teams improve.
"Of course, when a team are not playing matches, they will not be satisfied with their ranking.
"I prefer to focus on helping the players' improve in all aspects."
Cheng Hoe will discuss with the FA of Malaysia soon on feasible options over next year's call-up dates.
Following the release of next season's M-League calendar on Tuesday, the former Kedah coach now has a rough idea when to conduct training sessions.
"Before the schedule was released, I had a discussion with the Malaysian Football League about next year's plans.
"It was tough at first for both parties to come up with a win-win situation going by next year's hectic schedule.
"We also cannot tax the players as they need to be fresh for all challenges."
Cheng Hoe, whose contract has been renewed for another two years, said he would not be too picky when it comes to dates for centralised training.
"Any window will be good for the national team because it is also up to the clubs to release their players.
"Club coaches have their KPIs (key performance index), and we cannot force them to release players outside the Fifa window," he added.
Malaysia will play the United Arab Emirates and Vietnam in pre-World Cup/Asian Cup Group G matches during the nine-day Fifa window, which starts on March 22.
Cheng Hoe may have a problem getting his best squad as Johor Darul Ta'zim, Kedah and Terengganu will be involved in Asian-level club competitions around that period.