AFF SUZUKI CUP 2010 - FIRST LEG SEMI-FINAL MALAYSIA VS VIETNAM

ATTACK..ATTACK..ATTACK that is the war cry should be on the shoulder on each of the Malaysian players tonight. There is no other way round. Malaysia must win tonight and grab whatever chances that came by and showed no mercy. Nonetheless there is no such thing as tactical, no more defending and they must take full advantage of playing in front of thousands of our home fans. 

If not then Malaysia might just say `adios' to the AFF Suzuki Cup 2010 campaign for good. At this stage focus will be on Norshahrul Idlan Talha and company as they must deliver at all cost. No more excuses as they must proved  their worth to be in the final if they really want to meet Indonesia. 

But for the Vietnamese, I have great believed definitely that their coach Henrique Calisto will adopt a far more defensive approach with a five-man defence and try to frustrate our striker and goes for quick counter-attack on the break. They have certainly have the speeds just to do that which the Malaysian must beware.

Rajagopal's men must maintain and repeat their early game attitude when they took an early lead against Indonesia and Laos but not repeating another defensive error by giving away simple goal but hold their ground firmly and go for the second goal. At least it will ease the pressure on our defenders.

If Malaysia scored first then we have they chance to kill the game for the defending champions will come out from their shells searching for the equaliser and they will be a huge gap in defence which the Malaysian must muster it. But if they does conceded the second goal surely they need to reduce the deficit and this is the time we need bury the game and give them no chance of coming back.

For the Malaysian side a slim victory will not do they us any good for playing in Hanoi in the second-leg it will be an enormous task for the players to hang on to the slender lead. Cost the players will be under tremendous pressure and the defence line is our weakest link which I do not think they are capable to absorb the pressure.  

But one thing for sure the team and the coach must stop that sort of nonsense tag such as this is a `young team' and the team are without their first choice players who are injured. Cause this kind of statement will surely dampened their spirit. But the players must start believed in themselves and gave their best shot. Who knows this will be our year.  

After 14 years in the cup this is Malaysia best chance to be in the final and create a new chapter in our football history after winning the gold in the SEA Games.