Vientiane: National team head coach Peter Cklamovski dedicated Malaysia's 3-0 victory over Laos in their 2027 Asian Cup Qualifiers Group F match to Malaysians, saying the result was meant to inspire hope and belief among local football fans. Cklamovski said his players demonstrated their strong commitment to the team with passion and discipline throughout the match, capping their dominance with second-half goals from Arif Aiman Mohd Hanapi, captain Dion Cools and substitute Mohamad Faisal Abdul Halim.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Cklamovski expressed his sentiments during a post-match press conference at the New Laos National Stadium in Vientiane. He emphasized that the match was for the Malaysian people, aiming to give them hope and inspiration through the team's performance, and make them believe in achieving something special. He praised the players for their passion, commitment, and discipline, highlighting his pride in their efforts.
The head coach also acknowledged the support from Ultras Malaya and travelling fans who were present in large numbers, their chants resonating over the television broadcast. He attributed part of the team's success to the vocal support, which motivated the players to perform for their country. Cklamovski also commented on the playing surface, noting that while the pitch conditions were not ideal, they were still an improvement over some Malaysian Super League pitches.
In addition, Cklamovski defended the Regent of Johor, Tunku Mahkota Ismail, amidst criticism following FIFA's disciplinary action against the Football Association of Malaysia and several national team players. He praised Tunku Mahkota Ismail for his significant contributions to raising the standard of the national team, describing him as a visionary leader whose efforts have been crucial for Malaysian football.
Looking ahead, Cklamovski's team is set to host Laos in the return leg at the National Stadium, Bukit Jalil, next Tuesday. Following this victory, Malaysia leads Group F with nine points, ahead of Vietnam with six points, Laos with three, and Nepal, which remains without any points.