Rajagobal in optimistic mood ahead of second leg

17-Dec-2010

Hanoi: Malaysia go into the second leg of their AFF Suzuki Cup semifinal clash with Vietnam on Saturday evening full of confidence and injury free, according to head coach K. Rajagobal.

The Tigers are seeking an appearance in the final of the regional tournament for the first time since the inaugural running of the competition in 1996 and their 2-0 win on home soil over the Vietnamese has put them in pole position to progress.

But with 90 minutes left, Rajagobal is not taking anything for granted ahead of the meeting at the imposing My Dinh Stadium, which has already sold out for what promises to be an enthralling contest.

"We have no injuries, all the players are ready for selection and we know it's going to be another tough match," said the former Selangor coach.

"I know their team very well and they will be coming out aggressively, they know they have to get a result and though we have a two-goal cushion I'm optimistic that this is the best chance for my team to get a result.

"We will play our game plan and we need to be focused throughout the entire 90 minutes."

Rajagobal believes a performance akin to the one his team put on against the previously heavily favoured Vietnamese in Kuala Lumpur will be enough to see the Malaysians advance to the final.

That victory, he stressed, has given he and his team the confidence to dream of going further at this year's AFF Suzuki Cup.

"I knew Vietnam was the favourite because of the way they play and looking at the depth and strength of my team," he said. "Everybody knows I have a very, very young squad – especially the defence – and we're playing against an experienced team.

"But we played well, especially in the second half and we made use of our chances. Vietnam also had chances but they didn't make use of it. So this is why we turned it around and now it has given me confidence.

"But the game is not finished yet and it's going to be a tough match. As a coach I'm optimistic and if my players can play the same then I want them to do that.

"I've told them not to fear anything but they are capable of doing it again. We will see tomorrow. We won the first match and we want to carry on tomorrow with the same mindset and play hard.

"We know it's not going to be easy but we have to go and play one half more."