Malaysia Coach: 'I know Vietnam is very strong, but...'

Before the Southeast Asian U17 final, the Malaysia coach acknowledged Vietnam's superior strength but hinted at a different tactical plan to create a major surprise in the decisive match.

The head coach of Malaysia U16, Shukor Adan, confirmed his team will make important adjustments before the 2026 Southeast Asian U17 final against Vietnam. After a surprising journey to reach the final match, the young Malaysian team stands before the opportunity to replicate the achievement from seven years ago.

Despite being rated lower and having a younger squad, Malaysia played with great courage to overcome strong opponents. Making it to the final is considered a major success, but their ambition does not stop there. Notably, according to Makanbola, the U17 Malaysia coaching staff has planned to change the tactical approach to create a difference against Vietnam.

After the tense match with Laos, the players' physical and mental condition is prioritized. Shukor Adan candidly shared: “I think the team's preparation for tomorrow's match is about recovering the mental and physical condition of the Malaysian players.” This is seen as a necessary step as the team has just undergone a dense schedule of matches.

Not only focusing internally, the 47-year-old coach also expressed great respect for the opponent. He emphasized: “We know Vietnam is a very strong team, having scored 16 goals and conceded only once.” These numbers demonstrate the comprehensive strength of U17 Vietnam, from attacking capability to defensive solidity.

However, Malaysia does not intend to enter the final with a passive defensive mindset. Shukor Adan revealed his team will present a different face compared to when the two teams met in the group stage. “Tactically, we will approach the final with a different plan compared to the group stage encounter,” he affirmed.

Therefore, the final at Gelora Delta Sidoarjo stadium is not only a test for the tactical adjustments mentioned by Coach Shukor Adan, but also a real trial for Malaysia's ambition. However, with U17 Vietnam demonstrating superior strength with impressive scoring efficiency and defense, Coach Roland's squad still has ample grounds to confidently control the game and move closer to the championship.