Kuala Lumpur: It was a steep learning curve for his young squad in the first leg but Timor-Leste head coach Norio Tsukitate is hoping his charges will show a better performance against Malaysia in the second leg of their FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and AFC Asian Cup 2023 Preliminary Joint Qualification tie on Tuesday.
A rampant Malaysia scored a 7-1 win to all but confirm their place in the next stage of the Asian Qualifiers but Tsukitate is looking at the bigger picture for Timor-Leste.
The Japanese coach opted for a young squad due to several factors and admitted that his players struggled to cope with the intensity of Malaysia's game.
“In the domestic league, they play better â more high level, more pressure and more good passes. But against Malaysia, they cannot play that way. I hope they have learned something in the match and will show a better performance in the second match,” said Tsukitate.
The match will be streamed by mycujoo.tv at the link below.
Malaysia may have taken a hefty lead in the first leg but head coach Tan Cheng Hoe expects the same determination from his players on Tuesday.
"We still have 90 minutes to play and I expect the players to perform with the same intensity," said Tan, who steered Malaysia to a runners-up finish in the 2018 AFF Cup.
Latihan Harimau Malaya di Padang MSN, Bukit Jalil
Skuad kebangsaan kendalian Tan Cheng Hoe meneruskan sesi latihan petang tadi menjelang perlawanan kedua Pusingan 1 Kelayakan Piala Dunia 2022/Piala Asia 2023 menentang Timor-Leste, Selasa ini.#FAM #HarimauMalaya #RayaBola pic.twitter.com/dHbQPnpW6y
â FA Malaysia (@FAM_Malaysia) June 9, 2019
Timor Leste v Malaysia
Venue: National Stadium, Bukit Jalil
Kick-off: 20:45 (UTC +8)
Note: Timor-Leste are ineligible to participate in the 2023 AFC Asian Cup, after the AFC Disciplinary and Ethics Committee expelled the Federacao Futebol Timor-Leste from the tournament in January 20, 2017, for fielding ineligible players. Their participation is for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 only.
Source: the-afc.com