ASEAN Cup FIFA 2026: Safee Sali Confident Malaysia Can Maintain Momentum
PUTRAJAYA, 27 September – Former national striker Safee Sali said Malaysia’s 3‑0 win over Bangladesh has given the Harimau Malaya squad a confidence boost ahead of the ASEAN FIFA 2026 qualifier against Indonesia on 2…
Source: Portal Berita RTM · September 28, 2026 at 7:32 PM · AI-assisted report
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PUTRAJAYA, 29 SEPTEMBER 2026 —
PUTRAJAYA, 27 September – Former national striker Safee Sali said Malaysia’s 3‑0 win over Bangladesh has given the Harimau Malaya squad a confidence boost ahead of the ASEAN FIFA 2026 qualifier against Indonesia on 2 October at Jakarta’s Gelora Bung Karno Stadium.
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Safee, speaking after the Under‑16 Safee Sali Cup in Putrajaya, warned that the Indonesian side will be “very tough” on home soil and that the Malaysian players must prepare mentally as well as tactically to cope with the “extraordinary” pressure from the host crowd.
He noted that the Bangladesh victory highlighted the growing chemistry between the naturalised players and the rest of the team, describing it as “a very good sign” that raises confidence for a run to the final. Safee added that the squad should “enjoy the match, stay fully focused on tactics and aim for victory” as they face Indonesia, then Singapore, in the next two fixtures.
The 3‑0 result, achieved in the opening match of the ASEAN FIFA 2026 qualifying campaign, featured a strong partnership among the naturalised players, which Safee said “shows good cohesion and they are already used to playing together at their clubs.” He said this cohesion is a “positive indicator” for Malaysia’s ambition to progress further in the tournament.
Safee’s comments come as the Malaysian Football Association prepares the team for the away leg against Indonesia, where “the supporters will be fanatical” and the atmosphere “very intense,” according to the former striker. He stressed that mental resilience is as as physical preparation, recalling his own experience playing before “tens of thousands of Indonesian fans.”
The remarks underline the importance of the upcoming fixtures for Malaysia’s regional football standing. A win in Jakarta would keep Malaysia on track for a possible semi‑final berth, while a loss could jeopardise its chances of reaching the final stage of the ASEAN FIFA 2026 competition.
Safee concluded by urging the players to maintain the momentum from the Bangladesh win, saying, “I hope we can secure victory starting with Indonesia and then face Singapore afterwards.” The next match against Indonesia is scheduled for 2 October, with the Singapore encounter to follow a few days later.
Related: Malaysian Football Association · Safee Sali · Putrajaya