With high target, pressure mounts on the strikers
PETALING JAYA: The task at hand is to score at will, but for the Harimau Malaya strikers, it also means added pressure.

National coach Kim Pan-gon wants his charges to beat Taiwan by at least seven goals without conceding in their final Group D match of the World Cup 2026-Asian Cup 2027 second-round qualifiers at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil today.

And the national attackers were feeling the weight of the expectation.

Playmaker Paulo Josue, who faced the media during the pre-match press conference at Wisma FAM in Kelana Jaya yesterday, admitted that the task ahead would not be an easy one.

“We do talk about the plan and the number of goals needed. It won’t be an easy job to do especially when we are missing several of our key attacking men. But with what we have, we will try to give our best and get the job done,” said the naturalised Brazilian.

“It will not be easy to win 7-0, 6-0 or even 5-0, because you have to work hard to do that.

“For that to happen, how and when we get the first goal is crucial.

“After getting the first one, we have to up the tempo and go for the second, third and hopefully towards the seventh one. We cannot concede as well, that is important,” the 35-year-old Kuala Lumpur captain said.

“Even the best players, in their national teams, have to be at their best to get lots of goals in an international match. We have a chance to do something special and hope Oman can thrash Kyrgyzstan in the other game and make our job easier.”

Josue said the team’s attacking play would be different from the past as the team will be relying on combination plays and shooting to get goals.

In earlier matches, Harimau Malaya were dependent on wingers Faisal Halim and Arif Aiman Hanapi, who were the main attacking threats from the flanks but the two are not with the team due to injuries.

“We miss our guys known for their line-breaking capabilities like Arif (Aiman Hanapi) and Faisal (Halim). These players can beat opponent players with their speed and dribbling.

“Right now, we have attackers who are comfortable to have the ball longer and make combination plays by moving into the spaces and zones.

“That means more passing and shooting from the best areas, which I hope will bring better shooting chances against Taiwan,” said Josue, who himself will be in the forefront of the hunt for goals with his customary left-foot shots and freekicks.
Football,Malaysia,World Cup 2026,Asian Cup 2027,Second-round qualifiers,Paulo Josue
PETALING JAYA: The task at hand is to score at will, but for the Harimau Malaya strikers, it also means added pressure.