Malaysia's Harimau Malaya face Vietnam in final Asian Cup qualifier showdown
Malaysia's national football team, Harimau Malaya, will face Vietnam in their final Group F qualifier on March 31. The match comes as head coach Peter Cklamovski reflects on missed opportunities and looks ahead despite the team's elimination from the 2027 Asian Cup Finals.
The squad will prepare in Bangkok from March 27 before travelling to Nam Dinh for the game. Key players Bergson da Silva (Johor Darul Ta'zim) and Giancarlo Gallifuoco (Kuala Lumpur City FC) will miss the fixture due to late registration. Nacho Mendez, another JDT player, remains sidelined with an injury.
Cklamovski's contract with the national team expires this year, but he has expressed a desire to continue. His long-term ambition is guiding Malaysia to the World Cup Finals, though he admitted frustration over factors outside the team's control that cost them qualification. Despite the setback, the coach remains committed to the project. The upcoming match against Vietnam will serve as a final test before the team's campaign officially concludes.
The game in Nam Dinh marks the end of Malaysia's qualifying journey for this cycle. Cklamovski's future with the team remains uncertain, though his willingness to stay suggests continuity may still be possible. The focus now shifts to rebuilding for future competitions.
