Despite losing 0-3 to Vietnam, Malaysia's coach still dreams of the World Cup.

Even though eliminated from the 2027 Asian Cup and facing a crisis, Malaysia's coach reaffirms the World Cup goal, showing great ambition amid the team's turbulent period.

Despite Malaysian football going through a turbulent phase, coach Peter Cklamovski asserts that the aspiration to bring Malaysia to the World Cup has never faded. Speaking at the press conference before the match against Vietnam on March 31, the Australian strategist admitted the team faces many difficulties, especially after failing to secure a spot in the 2027 Asian Cup.

This failure led to doubts about Cklamovski's future, particularly as the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) was embroiled in a scandal involving an ineligible player, causing the team to lose points and miss the chance to advance.

However, under such pressure, Cklamovski still expressed his commitment to Malaysian football. “From the moment I arrived here, I fell in love with this country. Working with the players and coaching staff has been a wonderful experience,” he shared.

The 1978-born coach stated that the team has clear plans, from short-term to long-term goals. “We once aimed to qualify for the Asian Cup, and further, to bring Malaysia to the World Cup. That dream remains intact,” he emphasized.

According to Cklamovski, off-field incidents, including player documentation issues, are regrettable but do not alter the team's direction. “Despite disappointment, it does not make us abandon our goal. The most important thing now is to focus on the upcoming match,” he added.

In the final qualifying match, Malaysia will visit Vietnam's Thiên Trường Stadium. While the host team has already secured advancement, Malaysia must accept elimination due to AFC's penalty. Nevertheless, for Cklamovski, this match remains crucial for the team to regain confidence and look toward the future. Amid surrounding difficulties, his message is clear: Malaysian football still has goals to fight for, and the World Cup dream is still burning.